The New York herald., 1869-12-27
WASHING ON.
THE NEW TELEGRAPH BILL.
"A Lobby Forming to OPP
pose it's Passage.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 49, 1850. +
kOpp0siti0n to the Samana Bargain Develops
II ing In Congress.
u Though annexation of Dominica Is generally ia \
I\vored by members OF Congress- 1t Is not to be de-
MED that several members are growing against thu
measure and protesting that they will oppose 1t
when the proper occasion arises. Those who tnus
place themselves In antagonism to the project DO SO
for several reasons. Some because they are opposed
to all new acquisitions, deemng that we have
enough undeveloped territory on hand to occupy us
yet for three four generations to come and that
to expand our territorial domain is to weaken our
power and not to strengthen 1t. Others oppose an
nexatOn or leasing because they hold that such I'M
portant measures should not be undertaken by tho
Executive without authority In the first place from
tho legislative branch Of the government and theI
declare that such authority has been given IN thus
instance. They say It is about time TO
put q stop to this business OF specu-
atlng in real estate, which was so cunningly
| naugurated by Mr.. seward, and only then given
o Quas, legislative sanction because the national
good raitn involved. They ask further what Ia
the use OF paying at all for what was offered US 80
recently for absolutely nothingf II the Domincans
really want to become annexed believing that such
| condition would advantage them, why not let
their real wishes9 II they do not want to join us,
then, say these grumbers, we ought not 10 force
them to 1t by bargaining with President Baez, nor
should we desire to nave them at all as unwilling
subjects. These are the principal reasons urged for
opposing the Babcock-Baez treaty, whatever 1t may
be- and which are expected TO be urged when the
matter comes up for discussion In the halls OF Con-
gress. The chief advocate OF all these annexation
schemes Is General Banks. not yet arrived at his
post. Perhaps when he reaches here he will find
| means to strangle the incipient hostility. and be
able, by his well known skill In argument and par
lamentary tactics, to engineer the measure through
successfully
The New Postal Telegraph Bili-OppOsitiOn
OF the NF0nopoiists.
General Washburn's speech last Wednesday on
the subject OF American telegraphs has thrown the
Western Union monopolists into great stare OF ex-
citement and set them already TO planning how 20
defeat his proposed bill when presented to Congress.
A full lobby may be expected on here again IT, work
against all measures of telegraph reforms, and par
ticularly that which Washburn intends TO put
through II patience zeal and industry can avail him.
His speech Wednesday last showed that he under
stood the subject thoroughly and demonstrated the
necessity OF radical reforms and at the same time
the feasibility Of his own plan. 1t is not perfect.
perhaps but 1t TO be the best yet devised, and
wen calculated TO command the respectful consdera-
| tion OF Congress. Its main idea is found
In provision Tor the government at
| fixed period, to take control as pro-
| prietor OF all the lines In the country
| and is based upon the Telegraph act or July
| "a 1866, which seems to have been ignored almost
| completely in the various schemes prepared Sun CO
that time and osensbly having the same object in
vew by virtue OF that act the provisions OF which
were acceded to by all the telegraph companies in
country, the United states government cqured
an undoubted right to take possession OF the West.
crn Union and all other lines, and IL Is this right
which washburn's bill is designed to enforce for
the purpose OF securing to the public the blessings
of cheap telegraph system The first section OF the
bill boldly enacts that nfer July "a 1871, IL shall be
unlawful for any person, except those employed for
| that purpose by the Post Office Depart.
ment, TO receive money for the transmission OF
| kilograms. The second section provides for the
appraisal Of existing telegraph lines and property
pursuant to the act of 1896 and their subsequent
| purchase by the Postmaster General subject to ap-
proval by Congress. The bill then goes 10 pro-
vide for the establishment OF bureau in the Post
| ONCE Department, with an organization similar to-
but far less expensive than tnat existing under the
| western Union regime. The machinery for taking
charge OF and operating the lines be in complete
readiness by July "a 1871. After that date uniform
stamp tariff Of twenty cents is TO be charged through
less, including date address aud signature, and
| one cent for each additional word Large reduc-
tions to be made existing rates for press
ports. Absolutely no franks to be allowed, and
| another abuse OF the present system to be
| rectcd by providing for the transmission OF
| all messages in the order received, with
the single exception OF government messages, which
are to have priority all others. Vhe Postmaster
Gendral is also TO be authorized to place at the
elusive disposal of the press certain number OF
| lines deemed sufficient for such purposes. The
extension OF telegraph facilities to small towns and
| villages Is abundanty provided for by the BILL and
| also telegraph money order systcm which is TO be
at put in operation Secrecy of messages is TO
be enioined.iunde heavy penalties forIdvulGing or
giving any information in regard to any kilograms.
The last and OF the best features OF the bill is
that which provides that officers and employees OF
| the Bureau shall be removed only for cause, and
that promotions to vacancies shall be made regu-
lar order, and not for political purposes. This Is
step in the direction of the civil service and will is
ID expected put stop to all the outcry against thu
| government assuming control Of the telegraph
the ground OF its increasing olclal patronage and
corruption. Mr. Washburn IL thoroughly in earnest,
and reference to his speech will show that he is
| prepared for vigorous nght. His views are
currsd In By many OF the ablest men In Congress.
The Probable Successor OF Stanton.
| The death OF Stanton has started specuatons as
| to who the President Will appoint to be Associate
Justice OF the Supreme Court. The prominent names
| mentioned are Judge Humphreys OF Alabama; Ira
| Harris and Judge Pierrepont, OF New York, and
Senator Trumbul AS New York and Illinois have
representatives on the Supreme Bench already 1t is
believed the appointment Will be given TO the South,
and that Humphreys viii be the man.
Making Job Of the New Post once.
Vbo Cnp poat andp n
the House, which was authorized to investigate
affairs connected with the construction Of the new
Post ONCE In your city, VIII meet at the Astor House
next Saturday Their object is said be simply to
hn naranna In CHI Of ihn And