The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-12-22
CHEAP TELEGRAPRY.

There is nOtn1ng the business inter-
ests Of This country need more than |
cheap telegraphing. The business is
now a stupendous monopoly. Scsse
reform which would make telegrapy |
a popular blessing, would be hailed
with Joy. 1t is said that by ten O'Clock
each day the telegraph lines now in ex-
istenee do business enough to paw all
their expenses, and that the business of
the balance of each day is clear profit.
Z The President in his last annual mes
sage called the attention of congress to
the feasibility of the proposition for
the Government to buy and operate the
telegraph lines as q part of the postal
system. This matter is receiving con-
siderable attention from the press. 1t
is a question that has two sides. The
principal objection urged to the Gov
eminent taking charge of the telegraph
business is found in the fact, that it
places private affairs in the hands of
the agents of the Government, and
would, if they were disposed to use the
knowledge thus obtained, destroy that
freedom of expression which is so dear
to every American. In brief, it would
give the Government agents too much
opportunity to exercise a system of
espionage upon the citizen. In a po-
litlcaI campaign, for instance, the tele-
graph, under Government control,
could hardly help becoming a partizan
machine. This might do in Germany
and France, or even in England, but it
does not strike very favorabIy people
who do not believe in ''the divine right
of kings" There are other objections
less important than the one above
stated. 1t is urged that the number of
Government officials would be largely
augmented, thus giving parties or Pres
idents increased machinery for manip-
ulating tha political affairs, of the coun-
try. This we deem rather unimportant,
because we do not apprehend a hand
full of telegraph people would exert
any great Influence in politics. 1t is
urged, also, that the Government could
not buy the telegraph lines at fair
price-that the Western Union Co.,
whose capital stock was originally
So, OOO, 900, asks S35, 100000 for its prop
erty, and so on, We suppose the Gov
eminent could build lines of its own il
it took a notion to take charge of the
business. There is no law that we
know of that would compel it to buy
any telegraph line at ten times what il
is worth.
If the first objection we have meE.
toned, which to us looms up moan.
tain high, could be removed, the ad.
vantages to be gained by the Govern.
ment taking possession of the telegraph
business, would be desirable. Two
powerful monopolies would thus be re
Emeved, the telegraph companies and
! 1.-THE associated press, the latter of which
is one of the most stupendous humbug
and swindles ever inaugurated in thi
country. 1t is INSCRIPTIONS and is of
ten the tool of evil men, It is uset
by stock and gold gamblers, and give
their schemes life and vitality. 1t fire.
quently keeps the country in a stew TO
days, and almost possesses the powe
to inaugurate revolution. This woulC
be effectually killed by the Govern
ment's taking possession of the bust
ness. The chief advantage would be
perhaps, to the masses of the people
who are now almost excluded from tn
use of the telegraph, on account of it
l cost. What now costs 81 could be fur
: nished for 10 or 20 cents, Lines woul
be extended every where. What tn
people want, is quick and cheap com
mpicatioh with each other, be they sep
: arated ever so far!ta - .5T,sfs, ga. aa:tin 81
, How to bring about reform whie
would give us the blessings of chea
telegraphy, is question which shout
4 receive the earnest attention of tn
1 press and public men. iiWe are not con
vlnced, however, as, yeti that the Gov
eminent should take the telegraph
4 business in its hands, "A good NOV
: was made when congFess threw ope
: the mail routes to Geographic compe
e tition, and the building of commercis
r lines over the country, which is noN
rapidly progressing, promises some re
3 lief We hope other steps will be take
e to reduce the exorbitant charges of tel
n egraph companies.