The New York herald., 1869-01-08

suDJect-and IL Is suDJect WHICH uceply ai-
fects the interests of all classes-have doubt
less been very much edited and encouraged
with the report to Congress from Post
master General Randall, which We published
yesterday, on the proposition Of bringing the
telegraphic system of the Union under the
management of the government, in connection
with the Post Office Department. The general
argument of this report, with the strong array
OF facts presented, is conclusive and unan-
.swerable in favor of the government. We
think, however, that the remedy proposed is
only halfway remedy for he evils SO plainly
indicated
We see, for instance that in the Continental
countries of Europe, where the telegraph is
under the direct and exclusive control and
management of the government, it works
admirablyan and proatably for the government,
and is particularly acceptable to the people,
because of the cheapness of their me essages.
In Switzerland short dispatches for distances
inside Of two hundred miles are sent for three
cents tho despatch. In France they send
short despatch six hundred miles for about
thirteen cents in our currency. On the other
hand the telegraph, so far, in England has been
in the hands of private companies, with but
little competition. Their profits have been
large, increasing with each reduction of rates;
but still the superiority of the continental sys-
TEN had created such dissatisfaction in England
that the government was constrained to take
the business in hand.
The British Postmaster General first called
the attention of Parliament directly to the sub
ject in a report embracing these conclusions as
to the deficiencies Of the private company sys-
tem:-First that, although low compared
with ours, the charges Of these companies were
too high, and operated to check the growth of
telegraphic correspondence; second, there
are unnecessary delays in the transmission Of
dispatches; third, that the facilities for the
public are insufficient; fourth, that the Off
ces are often lnconveniently located and open
for too short time; fifth, that little or no
Improvement can be expected under this pri-
vate monopoly system; sixth, that under
the continental system the growth Of tele-
4
ulated. These are strong points in favor Of
the government system and against the private
company system, and they will all apply with
tenfold force in e,United States as compared
with Great Britain. The reasons presented in
favor of the government, however, were at
length so convincing to Parliament as to result
in the act of 1868, turning over the telegraphic
lines Of the kingdom to the Postmaster Gen
eral. Thirty-one years ago Professor Morse,
before the construction Of his first line o: tele-
graph proposed substantially the same thing
to our government and since that day, from
time to time, the subject has been broached,
but always postponed again to a more conve
nient season. So, although first in the field
the civilized nations TO adopt that great re-
form.
Our Postmaster General makes a conclusive
case for the action Of Congress. but in the
halfway scheme of reform he proposes We hope
the two houses viii not concur. He proposes
to clip the wings of any monopoly which
now endeavors to control the daily press by
compelling newspaper proprietors to agree to
employ one company exclusively hut says
Mr.. Randall. ''the transmission Of the mails
has always been performed by contract, and
there is no reason why the same plan should
not be adopted by the Post Office Department
for the transmission of correspondence by tele-
graph" He therefore proposes the contract
system, and introduces some Boston gentle
men, and special report from one Of them, in
support of this proposition.
Upon this plan Of operations we cannot
agree with the Postmaster General. Contracts
and still are necessary, because the govern
ment could not conveniently undertake to buy
all the horses, and stables, and coaches, and
steamboats, and railroads employed in this
business. But the telegraph presents none OF
these difficulties. The government takes pos
session of the wires, puts its batteries in the
post Offices. and puts from one TO fifty persons
in charge, as the case may require, and the
system is complete. II works 20 beautifully
on the Continent of Europe that it has at
length superseded the private company sys
tenn In England. and the contrast between the
cheapness Of telegraphic messages all over
Europe and the exorbitant charges Of our pri-
vate companies is 80 broadly presented in Mr..
Randalls report that we cannot understand his
halting at the contract halfway house of reform.
To use a slang phrase Of the House Of Re
presentaiivcs, We fear that in connection with
this contract proposition there is "a little
nigger in the fence or "a cat in the meal
tub" contract to r.G Tue telegraph with
in the limits Of any State would he an i'm
mense job, with margin, more or less, for
pickings, perquistes and extras. Under the
contract system for the government printing
at Washington millions Of money were wasted.
The spoils and plunder thus drawn from the
Treasury became At length so enormous that