New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-18
4 EOOLLNH SCHENE.


There ia one cardinal error at the foundation
of all Government Telegraph schemes, and it
is this: Government has no concern with what
the private citizen can do without Government
aid. Experience shows that the machinery OF
any Government, when applied to the common
concerns of life, is cumbersome and waSteiul.
A man is apt to spend his own money. and
squandcr that of Other people. II Mr. A. /.
Stewart had built our new Court-ll House for his
private business, he would have spent about
onc-ffth of what Mr.. Tweed has squandered
as Supervisor We have no doubt Mr.. Tweed
would have done the same thing If he had
been erecting 4 house Oh lis own account.
We can understand how a Government should
aid new enterprises railways and telegraphs,
in unsettled countries, where capital wisely
spent Will add to the Nations wealth and
prosperity Thus, we have always found that
railway land grants increased the value OF
Government lands. The construction of the
Pacific Railway has no doubt added 70 the
Nations capacity for taxation five times as
much as we spent for subsidies.
At time when craftsmanship begins TO CON
slider the wisdom of abandoning the Post
Office and submitting the Mails TO private COM
petition, we are asked to assume the whole
Telegraph system, and do as a Government
what is done already by private companies
Mr.. Hubbard of Boston is the champion of the
new policy, and Mr.. Senator Ramsey is his
representative. Mr.. Hubbards bill proposes to
combine both Government credit and private
capital. He proposes to destroy all Geographic
interests by establishing under our PostOfiice
Department a system which will paralyze all
existing Companies by underselling them in
service. 1t places all Telegraph property at
the mercy of the United States Postal
Telegraph Company. 1t makes no provision
and offers no inducements for Improvements
in telegraphic service. 1t seems to provide for
a largo reduction in tolls, but in truth leaves
the new Company without any restraint what
ever in its charges for all business passing over
its wires. Thus it is declared that the rates
shall be twenty five cents for all messages of
twenty words or less, including date, adj
dress, and signature, sent distance of 500
miles, and at night the same rate when sent
900 miles. AS very few messages are ever
sent more than 500 miles at night, and as all
lines charge half rates for night-service any
how, this provision IN fact amounts to an in
crease of charge upon night business. There
tolls will secure what is called priority of
transmission This would be a vicious prin-
ciple. The rule now is, First come, first
served" Mr.. Hubbard would declare, "The
Largest pay, first served Under such a rule,
no business man could have any assurance
that his business would be attended to, and he
could have no advantage in promptitude or
expeditions service. Such provision would
destroy all fairness and impartiality.
| 1t is even a grave objection that there is no
opportunity for competition between the new
| line and lines now existing. The Government
makes a contract at fixed rates, rates higher
than are now charged. IL would be at least
fair to ask proposals from the present compa-
MES and accept the lowest bid. This is not
done, and, worse still, no attempt is made to
advance Geographic science. The bill merely
provides for equipping the line with good
instruments. Why not the best1 Telegraphy
is a science still in its infancy. and, If the Gov
eminent really means TO do this work, it should
open the door 10 some of the new inventions
that promise to increase the value and expedition
of this service The bill would purchase all lines
now in operation. Why not purchase one of
the patents which promise great value9 Why
| allow Mr.. Hubbard TO charge $500 and $500 "A
mile for wire, when the best wires in the coun-
try can be bought for $50 and $40 mile
Why, in rendering an account of its expcndi-
lures, simply gives its construction ac-
count and no schedule of salaries and
incidental working expenses What principle
governs newspaper cbargesH We have a
schedule of rates based upon the tariffs OF the