The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-13
The Government md the Teiegra phs.


On Monday evening, in reply to questions asked
by Mr. Greve and MIR. Graham. the Marquis OF
harrington stated that the negotiations with the
te'egrapa companies were complete and those with
tbs railway companies SO far advanced that the gov
ernlneni had been able to ascertain very nearly the
amount which will be required for the acquisition OF
the telegraphs. bill 10 enable her MaJestys gov
eminent to raise the necessary funds Will shortly be
brought before Parliament. 10 thus bill 1t Is pro-
posed 10 ADD clauses, giving monopoly Of tele-
graphic communication similar TO that which exists
with respect to the conveyance OF letters OF
tnis monopoly could not be construed to interfere
with, and should not be allowed to operate as a
Darr1er 10 the extension or the system OF private
telegraphs. With this proyiso the monopoly seems
10 IoOw as c0rollary OF the Application OF the Post
ONCE scheme to the telegraphs.
II Is very satisfactory to find that matters are pro-
crossing so favorably with view TO the acquisition
OF the English system OF telegraphs by the govern
en IL is not that in this country there A anv no.
iltlca exigency Tor State control OF intercommunica
tion Nor are we especially in favor of the govern
mental management and Capitalization There are
however. many sufficient reasons why il ia not only
desirable, but urgently necessary that the telegraph
should be treated as the systematic convevance Of
letters has been treated II Is too late in the day
with the gigantic reality OF penny postage before
us. TO point out the pecunlary advantages of the
single enterprise system. Looked at from a com
mercial point OF view, the Post once Is great sue
cess but there are other benefits appertanlng from
they have their anaogies IN the letter carry.
Ing system, are not sufficiently appreciated.
vantage OF perfunctOry and purely ofY1cial
manipulation. 1t creates no anxiety in the
pubic MIND 10 KNOW tnat the Post Onice officials
open letters which are incorrectly or inenjcientIy
addressed The routine duties OF government De.
partment, with employees fairly salaried and Sub.
Jected to strict discipline In an organized service
wherein all their interests concentrated are en-
tirely difrerent from the business operations of a
private firm. Moreover, the government system
VIII admit OF special arrangements TO relieve every
source Of anxiety or doubt about tine Manipulation
OF messages. We venture TO throw out Suggestion
which is easily worked out INTO detail. The govern
ment Is about to take into Its employ large humber
OF the teegraphing clerks OF the companies These
are for the most part, young men and youths under
twenty. Let them be massed into special CORDS
from station TO station The messages are entirely
IN the hands OF these young men. All that Is neces.
sary TO avoid The probability OF tamperinR with
messages OF utilizing the Information contained ia
teegrama Is to prevent these clerks becoming locally
Interested and 20 insure their work being done "a
simple matter OF routine.
Another great advantage which the State manage
nent OF teegrxphs possesses IL the possibility Of
attaining better serytce Tor the country. At present