The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-11-20
The LAW Of TclegrapI,s.

The October number of the Lam Reriep,
published in Boston, contains highly compli-
mentary notice Of a work by two prominent
members of the Memphis Bar, one of whom
formerly resided at this place. We subjoin so
much of the notice as we can find room for:
a Treatise upon the ldtc Of 7ele1rdphs with
an appendix, embracing the General Statu.
tory Provisions of England, Canada, the
United States, and the States of the Union,
uTon the subject of tclegraphs. BY WIN. L..
SCOTT and MILTON L. JARNAGIN, Memphis,
Tennessee, 1868.
We welcome the appearance of this treatise
upon telegraphy. 1t is the first upon an impor-
tant branch Of the commercial law; and it's
authors may, indeed, be satisfied with the re-
suit of their labors in this comparatively new
field. The most recent text books, in which
we might have expected much upon the law of
telegraphs, have almost entirely neglected it..
Professor Parsons. even in his later works, re-
fers only incidentally to the subject. Judge
Redield. in his able volumes upon the law of
railways, allows but single chapter to the dis
cussion of the question presented In this work,
and. AS we think. without the careful consid-
GRAFTON which he has given the other chapters
of those excellent volumes. In the recent eX-
cellcnt edition of Mr.. Scdgwick's treatise on
the law Of damages, the law applicable to tcc-
graph companies is considered somewhat at
length. In the f0ot-notcs. and particularly the
question of their liability; and it is, perhaps,
the best considered article that has been hither-
to presented to the profession upon this i'm
portant subject.
But now we have before It's an able volume
which is devoted to Il systematic and thorough
Investigation of every important question that
is likely to arise under the present system of
telegraphy.
1t contains careful and complete review of
all the eases that have been adudicated upon
the various subjects relating to telpgraphs, and
the principal ones are printed almost as fully
in this work as in thereportS. And while it is
for these reasons of great value to the profess
siOn it Is for many other reasons of no less
value to business men who are engaged in the
practical operation of tclcgraphS. This trca-
tise presents Il general history of telcgraphic
corporations: it specifies with much care the
particular rules by which they are regulated
and carried on; it intcligibly defines the du-
ties of the operator as well as the rights of the
community with regard to the employment of
these companies. The chapter upon organiza-
ton is ofspecial value to business men general
ly. And there are other chapters so full of
sound practical ideas that we heartily recon-
mend the book to all. H
The general style of this treatise is excellent.
1t is tersely written. The points are briefly
stated and always in the most ineligible man.
ner. The analysis is complete and everything
seems to be in its proper place. where one
would expect to find the particular object of
MS Scarcn. L MS mas Decn done even AT the
cost of repetition.
1t has occurred to us that the book might
seem unnecessarily sclf-opinionated; but con-
sidering that the subiect-mattcr of the volume
is almost entirely new, and that there IS also
much contrariety in the judicial opinions re-
latng thereto. it is not 80 be expected that the
discussions should be based very largely upon
| precedcnts or usage.
y
Upon the whole, the profession. and those
who are engaged in the business of telcgraphy
should welcome this book upon claw of tec.
| graphs as, perhaps, the best that can be writ.
| ten, considering the ncwncss of the subjects
discussed, and the con'rlricty of the judicial
mind with regard to the duties and responsi.
bilities Of those who engage in the transmits sion
of messages by the electric telegraph. Let the
authors be satisfied with the result of their pa.
tcnt. persistent, and intelligent labors upon
the first treatise concerning the law of tce.
graphs.
We will add, that the Lop Rerie,r from
which the above extracts are taken, is the
highest authority in this country as a law
magazine. We congratulate our former fel
low-townsman, Mr.. JARNAGIN, and the learn
ed gentleman associated with him in the work
upon their success in the role of authors.