The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-12

AnOio "a CoIs1iu uispObiuOu In tno tele-
graph interest just now to dictate the conduct
OF Its customers Having succeeded SO
wonderfully in the manipulation OF the
nominal value Of their property the man
ayers OF the Western Union Company feel
sprousing ambition to do greater things in
the world-to reorganizs the solar system, II
they may and they propose to begin by
taking on their unocoupied hands the manage
ment OF the press. This is not exactly the
fearful eagerness Of Alexander drying his eyes
at the prospect Of new realms to be deranged,
but rather temperance Of the spirit that
vtalized the Managers Association in Its
famous trial at managing other peoples bust
ness to the neglect and final ruin Of its own.
As this new effort in tho telegraph company
originates with men who are new to their
places and know very little Of the relations Of
the press and the telegraph recapitulation Of
some prominent points in the histories Of the
respective interests may bs timely aud profit
able.
AT the commencement OF its career the
HERALD stood alone and worked against
combination OF papers managed on different
principles but It worked with energy and
courage and gained many advantages in tho
struggle for popular favor. Its vigor con-
stantly gave 1t the most signal triumphs over
Its opponents in putting the news before the
people at tho earliest hour. Although the
older papers had then an organization among
themselves for securing harbor news tho
HERALD was constantly ahead. In those days
OF Liverpool liners, when the news brought by
each ship was six, eight or ten days "later"
than that brought by the preceding ship, it
was matter Of some moment to be tho first
to lay the budget OF fresh intelligence before
the eager mass of readers and here it was
that the little HERALD made an impression;
for despite all that the older sheets could do
they were constantly beaten, and were com
PEELED to give the news to their readers copied
from an extra HERALD" They saw that the
HERALD was not an opponent to be despissd,
and entered into an alliance with it-an asso-
citation. for securing the news that was COM
promise ON the point Of expenditure; but was
otherwise of mutual and general benefit
Upon the demonstration of the feasibility Of
transmitting news by the electric telegraph,
tho building OF lines to important points and
the capitalization Of considerable money in |
terest around the wonderful discovery, there
arose a collision between this interest and the
allied or associated newspapers. That was in
consequence Of an attempt then made by the
telegraph people to manage the press. They
assumed to dictate what each paper should do
with the news they furnished. They wanted TO
secure In the several members Of the association
80 many customers and have each customer
pay them individually so much for the same
paragraph, while the members of tho
press held that one payment for the
same piece Of news was enough. 1t
was found, even at that early day
that the press was more necessary to the tele"
graph than the telegraph to the press, so that
the telegraphers had to acknowledge the vanity
of their attempt and give IL up. That victory
OF the press was a natural result of the laws OF
trade governing the two interests, and as it
impressed upon the mon VINO managcd.the
telegraph in those days the exact point at
which their power with regard 10 newspapers
must have its limit, no more was heard for
years Of any attempt Of the telegraph to dictate
to newspapers.
But another spirit has grown up--there arc
new men in charge, and these have TO learn
for themselves the lesson taught their predo-
cessors. The Western Union Telegraph has
attempted 10 become vast monopoly,
and to swallow up all other companies
like an Aaron's serpent Of stockjobbug
In this it evnced q disposition TO try the old
experiment over on larger scale. II began
on small papers in the country, especially in
the Eastern States, Illuminating the decree that
such journals as ventursd TO take news coming
by other lines could not be served In any case
by the Western Union. This first step Of
encroachment might have been gained but for
the spirit with which it was met by the best Of
the New England Incompetence might
almost say the only really vital newspaper
published in the New England States, tho
Springfield Republican Moreover, thcse en-
croachments have already brought into exist
ence successful opposition limos, that are
extending their field aud will soon reach every
important point in the country.
Doubtless newspapers, whenever they feel
the pressure of the domineering and arro-
CANT spirit OF the Western Union Company
will take a timely alarm and assert their
own rights in the case We say this in the
interest Of the press generally, but more espe-
cfsliy OF those parts Of 1t that may, il they
hesitate, be more at the mercy Of this grasping
monopoly than any portion OF the press in
this city can be. II must be remembered
that the telegraph companies are { ia car.
riers, and under their charters ca DO pun
ishei iu damages for eontunacy aud be com
PEELED to transmit, dispatches presented; but
doubtless IL any persistent effort against the
press were made q more effective remedy
would he the construction by newspaper men
Of lines for their own uss. Men stand ready