The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-21
THE TELEGRAPH FOR THE PEOPLE.
Important Views for the Consideration Of the
Senate C0mrziffee.

IFrom the Philadelphia Post. Jan. 2o.l
The New YORK Times has now taken up arms
against the postal telegraph calling it unjust and
foolish pro ect but we think 1t fails conclusivey TO
prove 1t 70 be either the other. In the first
place, the argument that because the gov
M Mo- purchase aSsa the telegraph IN
that private individuals have taken hold bf It and
put II before the country ls OF but little weight.
certainly poor reason why it should not be done
now. The point OF this argument shows, however.
question. True, the success or the tecgraph has
been demonstrated at private expense, but at whose
EXPENSE Clearly at that Of its patrons. The
II, and wahave no objection to that but we do OBJ
lect TO an argument based upon their sacrlhcesin
know there have been none which have not been
fuly compensated. One great telegraphic company
hos nearly engrossed the business OF the country and
IL seeking to obtain tal. Are The interests OF this
association likely to be those OF the people
those no few f1 ns oeaeas tss
whole country to sunerp We, the people have money
OF our own and the federal governments onr agent.
purposes; and who is to say to us nay call our
project unjust9 Where can the injustice liey 1t is
private interests even R they are those
OF hundred stockholders, in opposition 70
provide against positon n upon me the
existing companies but we wish 1t to remove the
present imposition from the people. They certainly
have the right to do their own business for them
selves In their own way and at their own prices
But even looking at the question with the eye OF
dealer IN stocks, has the Western Union Telegraph
Company, with its great capital, better right to
swallow up the Geographic business of the country
ts ne nas 'ne saa WIN tne money o.
might az well go into any other business as this but
i Is evident that there are few instances IN which
the federal authorities can take charge OF the inter-
ests OF the people far better than private stock
companies, working but for their own benefit. One
oil these Is the communication between different parts
of the country either by letter or telegraph. There
Is not one reason for the maintenance OF the Post
rcs m % ,nsr noes not Apply Win equal
both cases the people to be served and the pro-
gress OF the country advanced In both cases 1t is
desirable that all charges should be as low pos
sibe; and in both it is opposed to all reason
that the people should be but moderately well
served, at enormous charges for the benefit OF
powerful private Inonopoies. The Times says we
might as wen use the public money to run line
mails, to build railroads, or any other business
| generally carried on by private corporations, to
uoI aa In to carry ar
objection II The government could afford it, and 1t
| did not happen that they were now carried at a
European enterprise. To governmental assist
.ance IN railroad projects there can be no reason
proportions that private means are not equal to its
| construction. Does the Times object to the great
Pacific Raroadf 4 government had not stepped in
in that case 1t would never have been built and the
| whole country would have suffered. national
telegraph Is as much national necessity as q ma
tional railroad. and in this case all the money that
the government would spend would be for the benefit
OF the people and none for that OF stockholders.
1t Is also remarked that the government, II its
function Is to carry information, might as well set
up newspapers, and thus 'break down all private
riyalry.n This must have been intended as Joke;
for, with the exception OF comparatively few en-
terprsing papers, there is private rivalry In re-
gard to the furnishing OF news In this count ry The
business Is as much Ia the hands OF monopoly as
| Is the Geographic system.
| AS for the argument that the government could
not carry on postal telegraph cheaply and en-
ciently we would merely say that tins Is not
thing. II has been tried in Europe for very many
years and found to succeed admirably. The govern
ment telegraphic operators are quite as good as the
government post office clerks and do their duty very
satisfactorily Why should they notS Such opposition
TO the scheme this Is childish and douply so when
model and place beyond party interference its
civil service system Is the Times opposed to
In England the telegraph was entirely under the
control OF stock companies, who, for their own
benent, established and worked the lines. The in
tcress OF the people were neither considered nor fur
thcred. In this country the same state or things
prevails. A gigantic monopoly, owning $4,000 out
OF our 5000 miles Of Geographic lines has for
which nave lately afforded it net annual income OF
nearly $s,ooo,0oo. From this incubus the people
enould be relieved. They have as much
accommodations as the people of Great
Britain, Belgium or Switzerland, ana are
as able to afford IT, In regard to this latter point
t has been shown by all teegraphIc experience that
lowering rates and increasing facilities although
not Immediately profitable. and therefore not an In
malely OF the greatest advantage to all par
ties The business OF the Atlantic Telegraph
Company has greatly increased since their rates
have been decreased from 800 to fifteen dollars
for messages OF certain length. We believe,
have said before, that postal telegraph would very
pay the people It N absurd to argue from the gen.
eral desire for reduction the governmental sub
sides 70 railroads and other private stock enter.
teiegraphjc system, which IL entirely matter for
the good OF the people, and the people only.