The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-19

papers shall be transmitted IT reduction
not exceeding hfty per cent on these rates.
with dispatches or making an improper disclosure Of
their contents shall be punished by fine not ex-
year. or boh in the discretion Of the court The sum
Of is appropriated to carry out the provisions
OF the act.
The bill was referred to the Committee on Post
Otices and Post Roads.
Accompanying this bill IL an elaborate paper, In
which it is said, although the world is indebted to
the genius OF citizen Of the United States for the
practical development OF the electric telegraph as
means of communication and although the first line
upon the plan In the United States was built with
money furnished by Congress, the telegraph system
has made less progress toward perfection and has
been practically OF less value to the masses of the
people in our own country than In any civilized
country on the globe. In nearly every country in
Europe the telegraph has become speedy, certain
and economical medium OF communication, the ines
unable beneds OF which are extended to the in
habltants OF small towns and communes as wen
as the great cntres OF trade in this coun-
try. Telegraphic communication has ALWAYS
bsen uncertain and expensive and limited
To The chief towns and ciues TO the evils of eXor-
bltant charges have been added dstrust of the tee
graph aS rcabie medium of communication in
cases or emergency and as safe cOlservator of The
necessary secresy OF public and private business.
Instead OF an auxiliary 10 the postal system
troled like by the stale and sought like it to be
made useful 10 the great mission OF the people, with
as IN nearly every civilized country in the world, we
see the system IN this country in the hanos OF rival
companies, anxious only for extending their lines 10
prominent places where profits are TO be secured
and Indifferent TO the public convenience In short,
the popular verdict OF the people Of this country,
ii could be heard would be that the Geographic sys-
e in view Of what is In other countries and what
IL might become IN this, is practically failure.
The paper then proceeds to show what may be ac-
compshed IN rendering teleg1pbc communication
reliable, economical ana at the same time profitable
in the country, by referring to what IL accomplished
IN Nfh mi fara lhn hna ha.
thoroughly tried under the control OF the
state. If these ends have been successfully
accomplished in countries like Belgium and Swtzcr-
land, where the masses of the people are poor and
where all but comparatively few persons who are
the telegraph in cases of emergency do not haoit
ally avail themselves OF its service, how much
more might be accomplished in our own country,
where so few OF the population are poor and where
so large a proportion would habtually employ the
telegraph for business ana social purposes, unless
manded for the the transmission p Of despatchesY
In no country under liberal scale OF charges
would the teegraph be employed by so great
country can telegraph lines be more cheapiy built
or operated at once. After the invention and sue
cessul establishment of electric telegraphs every
government IN Europe where lines were built, except
that OF Great BRIAN, formed u telegraph system IN
connection with its postal system. 1t seems TO have
occurred TO show that system Of communication
capable OF being so extended and of being so
useful an auxiliary IN the transaction OF pub
lie and private business should be under
the protection and control Of the government, that
the open letters forwarded by This speedier means
should like the sealed letters forwarded by the post
be transmitted and delivered under the careful su-
pervision OF the government In Great Britain,
few weeks SINCE after twenty years OF trial of the
system in the hands of private companies the people
OF tile British islands, with singular unaninity, de-
manded that the telegraph system he placed under the
control OF the postal authorities, and bill was intro
duced by The present government for that purpose
The paper concludes as fOllowsn the present posi-
ton OF the finances of the country, It would hardly
be wise to enter upon an extended experiment. 1t
should be tried at lrst upon limited scale and at
small cost If 1t prove successful and become what
the telegraph under government control has become
in other countries, namely, source OF revenue as
well as an inestimable boon TO the community, it
ought to be ana doubtless will be extended. The
amount necessary to construct line from Washing
ton TO New York and to sustain IL until 1t becomes
sellsustanng will not exceed $4,000. II is the be.
lief OF experienced telegraphers that with tariff OF
charges as low as that OF Belgium and Switzerland,
and with an additional charge OF single postage on
each message the line would be eelfsustaining from
the beginning and would probably repay it's entire
cost long before the value Of the structure was mate
rally impaired.
The ENTHUSIASTICALLY Investigating Com.
mitJec.
The select committee appointed to inquire into the
truth Of the charges against Representative DOnney
contained in the letter of Representative Washburne,
of Illinois, has had two meetings, and has adjourned
until tomorrow week. The committee seemed dis
posed to ask to be discharged from the further
sideratlon Of the subject.
Sabbath, School Anniversary Celebration.
The twenty-sixth anniversary OF the Sabbath schools
was celebrated to-day by procession, with banners
and.music and appropriate exercises several OF the
churches.
The Washington City Charter.
The President has been greatly importuned today
by the radicals Of this City to sign the bill extending
the city charter year. Yesterday the charter OF
this city expired, and in legal point OF view Wash
ingon is without any government, except that exer
14th inst. passed act extending the city charter
one year from the date of its expiration which act
is now before the President for his consideration.
The present municipal government il intensely radi-
CAL hence the pressure upon the President to induce
him to approve the bill.
Report the Construction Of the Pacific
Railroad.
The Secretary of the Interior has submitted to
the President the report Of the government Commits
sioners on the additional section OF twenty miles of
the Union Pacific Railway recently forwarded TO the
department stating that the road Is ready for present
service and recommending the issue OF bonds and
patents to the company on account OF said section
agreeable TO law The President has accepted the
report and recommendations and directed the Secre-
tary of the Treasury TO carry them into effect.
Decision Of the Treasury Department on Ger.
tain Duties.
The Treasury Department has made the following
are not chargeable on increased
value OF wines due to Improvement by age while in
bond. SILK and cotton spot nets or silk and cotton
laces to pay a duty OF sixty per cent Obgors are
bound to deposit certificates Of delivery before
turity OF transportation without notice. Angostura
biters to pay a duty OF one hundred per
cent. Furs from Alaska via Hawaiian Islands, In
Anne rican vessels fiee-no allowance for shInkage.
Goods in general order store over twelve months are
not subject to additional duty. Rough sand or lime
stone for piers to pay duty OF ten per cent. The
control OF the Collector over uncsncelled Custom
House bonds ceases with their maturity. Bibles and
other articles for distribution free. The department
has no authority land sold under the Direct Tax
law and. purchased by the United States. Ware
housing and transportation may be combined in one
entry. A bill OF Gding IS admissible TO prove prip,a
fdoie sound shipment, for allowance for damage on
the voyage OF importation. Iron cot on ties and old
manufactures must be converted into raw material 10
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