Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-12-07


The postal telegraph scheme has come into
congress again with promptness which shows
that an active lobby is on hand determined to
push it through il possible. This scheme pre-
noses 10 have the national government become
owner OF all the telegraph lines in the country
and take into its hands the whole business of
telerraphic communication. Not much reiiec-
lion is necessary 10 show that members of con-
aress should weigh well what it requires Of
them. before they vote on this question, The
only respectable argument we have seen used in
its favor is that England and some of the au-
tocratic governments Of Europe have taken
control of all the telegraphng within their Dor
ders, and that we ought to follow this fashion Of
Europe,
The European governments do many other
things which are not likely to find favor here
Our business is to consider carefully what is
adapted to the condition of our country, and to
the principles which regulate our institutions.
Despotic governments deem it a matter of ncces-
sary policy to control Geographic communities
ton; and they control the press also by mems
of a censorship. In England they are not wholly
free from the notion that the government must
do everything; and even the labor reform asso-
Citations of England and the other European
countries are not yet sufficiently republican to
give up this notion for the tendency of their
policy is to deny or overthrow individual free
dom, and make the organization, the commune,
the commonwealth, the state, all in all. They
seem not to understand what it is for men to be
free, for their conception makes individual men
subject to absolute control of some sort, and
does no more in this respect than transform the
slaves of absolute monarchy into the slaves of
commune or a state. The true doctrine Of free
dom, as understood in this republic, upholds in
dividua freedom, and, as far as possible, leaves
the management of all affairs to the people.
But there are other objections.
1. This scheme proposes vast outlay OF
money. Many millions and tens Of millions arc
suggested. The postmaster general thinks SIS,
100000 more than enough; but the first est
mates in such cases are always below the mark
because full statement Of what is required
might be SO startling as to defeat the projects
advocated, Moreover, the first outlay, in this
case, would only begin the demands on the
treasury. The government having taken upon
itself the whole burden and work of the bust
ness, clamors would presently arise for extern
sions of the telegraph lines to every village
hamlet and cabin in the country; and these
clamors would be successful to a large extent
by means which can be understood without eX.
PLANTATION, for, in this country, every such matter
fluids way to the polls. Is it desirable to insta
in the government such robber of the treasury
such promoter OF demagogism?
2,sIt would create a new and vast army o
government officials to be cautioned all over th
land. We have already quite a number of sucl
officials holding appointments from Washing
ton. None Of MS should be willing TO see tn
number increased unnecessarily. So far as the,
are necessary in carrying on the government
they must be retained; but there is no sucl
reason for creating an army of telegraphin.
officials, while there is strong reason for op
posing earnestly any unnecessary addition t,
the influence in our politics usually described a
government patronage" And, besides, til
government can not do this business either a
well or as cheap, by means of officials az
pointed from Washington, as it cant be done b
private parties.
9. 1t would be liable to serious abuses, a
times. ANY one can imagine easily how sue
control OF the telegraph lines would have bee
used by the cession lea lers, in the last 81,
months of Mr. Buchanans administration
Would they have scrupled 10 suppress or inven
dispatches, as their conspiracy might have re
qnired? And would the temptation 10 nisus
this power be always resisted in times of pai
excitement and struggle? When not misused
partizan vehemence would be sure 10 accuse III
government Of misusing it. It is one of thos
agencies which, in a country like ours Shout,
not be controlled by the government In coun
tries where the governments are above the PEG
pie, and do not exist by virtue of their favor an,
votes, the effect Of such abuses is different al
though no less neXeusabe. Certainly it is no
worth while to place this agency in the hand
Of our government, which does not need it, an,
can be managed far better without it.
These are some of the more obvious obiel
tons to the scheme which has for some tim
been urged upon congress by parties who an
pear to have won over the postmaster general t
favor it. He may be ambitious to sgnalize hi
management Of the post office department b
inaugurating Improvements and organizin
something new; but he should take care tina
his new creations do not become monuments {
misjudgment and mistake, and thus do more t
iDjure his reputation than TO honor it. 1t doe
not appear, at present, that this postal telcgrap
scheme is likely TO find much favor with col
gress; but those who urge it have begun opera
tons early, and We shall wait with considerable
interest to see what progress they will be able +
make