New-York tribune., 1869-02-25
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
ADVERSE REPORT on THE DIFFERENT SCHEME
PRESENTED TO THE HOUSE.

ADVERSE REPORT ON THE DIFFERENT SCHEMES
PRESENTED TO THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.--Tbe House Com
mittee on Post Offices and Post Roads have rendered
adverse report the several schemes of Mr. E. b. Wash
burne Mr. G. G. Hubbard, and Mr. j. F. Hall for the
tablishment Of some Postal Teegraphs.
The Committee began their report by careful analysis
of each of the three bills under discussion and followed
it up by the general considerations applicable TO the
whole subject and the special objections to which each OF
the proposed measures open.
Mr.. washburnes scheme is establish four wire
perimenta lino from Washington to New-York, to be
operated in connection with the PostOce Department
by persons wholly in the Government employ. The bill
fixes uniform tariff Of one cent q word exclusive OF
date address, signature with five cents additional for
postage and delivery 1t approprates for the cOnstruc
ton Of the line s5OOO which In accompanying paper
Mr. washburne thinks ample to construct the line and to
sustain ii until 1t becomes self supporting II successful
and remunerave 20 the Government, the lines 70 be
gradually extended to all parts Of the country.
Mr.. Hubbard asks for the passage OF law which. by
one act OF legislation, should create branch Of
public service-the Postal Telegraph syseni-and also
grant charter TO himself aud his associates as the UNI
ted Postal Telegraph Company. authorizing them
10 erect and maintain lines OF telegraph all over the
States and Territories with the right enter upon and
occupy post roads and routes the public domain.
navgabe rivers &c The bill fixes the taIh OF messages
at maximum OF 20 cents for 20 words including date,
address, and signature for each distance 0f 800 miles
fractional part hereOf five cents To be added for postage
and delivery. The POstOfice Department s however,
to everything supply the and other telegraph
machinery which be supplied aud operated by pr
vate parties under contract with the Department. at
rates not exceeding those specified The receipt aud de-
livery OF messages. Office roOm fuel lights, blanks STA
are ali 10 be at the expense Of the Government
business at towns having population Of 5000 or
though the Postmaster General may open offices at rail
way stations and at smaller intermediate places Both
the corporation be created under the ac and
listing companies may bid Tor the contract, aud IN case
required TO accept contract at .e rates
the IL rendered by the Postmaster General within
months from the passage Of the act penalty OF for
fetng their charter.
Mr. Halls bill, introduced by Mr. Van Horn of New.
York Is for the construction OF line between Washing
and Boston, under the direction OF the POstOfce
Department The line to be built by Dir. Hall and his
associates over and upon any line or route OF travel by
POstOfice road otherwise by railroad, and the
bridges Of all kinds over streams and rivers used that
thai said party parties shall be projected In the
srueion erection preservation ana ne Thereof upon
ce oiu Q metallic poes aud AIR cables The tarlh be-
tween any two points the line 10 be cent word
counting date address, and signature The the
lines are to have the right to import any ma.
it, including poles wires Instruments. &c. free Of duty
After three years successful operation Of the line
Government is required bay 1t It's cost aud per
cent interest With regard to the general subject of
assuming the telegraph the Committee advert the
that IN the infancy Of the Prof Morse offered II
TO the Government and experimental line esti,b
shed between Baltimore and Washington, aud operated
y he fostOhce Department; that upon the Working
v @ t line and the proprety Of assuming the business
an adverse report and the business was theeupOn re-
tted 70 the hands Of the people and the legislation OF
AlteE lapse Of than years
Wnen the system had grown TO vast dInelsons Iidcr
tne huthOry ana protection OF State laws and ,y force
OF private energy and captn the subject Was IN iscG
again Drought Dt1Ore Congress by an duplication for "A
private act 10 incorporate telegraph coIpanv and so
by the introduction Of bill TO creais uosta tei.,r,
system These propositions the fullest a@nt
and elected much debate especially In tile Reuae ~
opinion OF Postmaster General DenuisoD was ooo,, -,
woke as IN lSi5 and he reported against the
Of the proposed system OF teegraphs a part OF te s
system not only because Of It's doubtful
but also It's questionable feasibility under our lnrni
system The result was denial Of legislation ~ . uri
vate personal character and the passage Of enrnl
law extending 70 all telegraph companies then ex
Isting or 10 be In future created by State laws
rights OF way over the public domsin
postroads and roues'and navigabe rivers
upon conditions that they should grant the privilege m
use Of the line 10 the Government officers public
business at rates TO be fixed by the Postmaster Generals
and also agree 10 sell their entire lines and property TO
the Government at All appraisal ut any time after five
years All the leading companies accepted this act, aud
are now subject 10 It's obligations, and IA two years from
July 1862 the Government will lave the right to take
the lines and property Of any or all OF them, NJ ap
pfalsa Ot their fair value ut the lime Of the appraisal
Tue purpose on ths act was obviously 10 set NJ rest the
EOhtIOYered question Of the telegraph control manage
ment by II. Congress refused TO interfere with tho
Legislative control Of tho heretofore exercised,
nnvrnly by Tie States for the tnat II both Con-
kess anu lhe state cgsdtcd about H. there would be an
conflict jurisdiction ON the other handt they
exend TO corporations created by the States certain
valuable privileges on condition that the Government
might at future time. II IL desired TO the bust
ness OBTAIN possession Of the property by pay Ing fair
price Tor IT, hc act when accepted created compact
Dce"et tne government aud the corporations, and tho
redhOhaDe c0nArueOn OF that compact IL that during
the period OF the obligation the Government should do
act winch would impair the of the property
which u held the uADeDded sight of purchase. Such ~
VonpHet as ths pelW6eh private parties would be ell