National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1872-12-21

THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
Tho scheme Of connecting the telegraph
with the Post ONCE IL now fairly before Con-
gress In Two lsreported from two important
committees In both Houses, and will, we
trust, receive the attentive consideration to
which Il lie 90 eminonty entitled. The main
objections that we have yet heard or seen
urged against the adoption Of this project is
that II tends to Capitalization; that It is an
assumption on the part Of the Government Of
duties with which II properly has nothing to
do and that II the Government should take
control Of the telegraph lines it will not be
able to perform the service as well rs 1t Is
performed now.
Well, these are good objections, and We
hope, az we said, to see them discussed In
Congress intelligently and from patriotic
standpoint So far rs we are concerned, we
believe that there Is nothing whatever In any
one Of the objections which we have above
enumerated. The talk about Capitalization
Is all nonsense In view Of the history Of the
last ten years No great measure has ever
come before the country to which this objec-
ton mas not boon urged. II first came up on
the question Of internal Improvements, when
the spirit Of q broad nationality fortunately
triumphed. The question again arose In the
beginning Of our war, when certain advocates
Of the States rights theory proclaimed doc
trines to which II Is now unnecessary to re-
fer The people-our so-called statesmen
may as well once for all understandable not
care ten cents about this cry Of centraliza-
ton. What they want Is q strong govern
ment, 4 government under which they shall
have the largest amount Of liberty and the
greatest possible amount Of happiness, and
these ends attained, they do not care whether
the Government Ia centralized or not.
The great question in which they are inter
ested Is: "wlll we be better served by a COM
pany Of private individuals or by the Gsy-
ernment7 The experience so far Is not well
calculated to impress them very fayorably
toward tue present owners Of the telegraph
They have seen 1t grow into huge monopoly
stretching out Its arms to control the press
to dictate politics, and TO crush every OppOsi-
ton that dared to raise Its head. The tele-
graph should be as free as the air, and when
1t Is placed beyond the reach Of any portion
Of our people as II now Is the Government
has the right to Interfere, and take steps
toward making 1t contribute to the welfare
and benefit Of the whole people. We arc
glad to sec the New York Herald throwing
itself into the ranks against the monopolists.
In an article yesterday 1t says:
"What Ia the real question at issue7 Whether
the telegnph-whlCh has become Of IA much
which Ia destined TO become more important
shall be under the control of q company Of indi-
viduals, and virtually under the president OF that
company, or shall he controlled by the Govern
| ment. We refer sometimes to the power OF the
Federal Government, secured by the COnstitu-
| ton, to regulate commerce among the States Of
ance universal "a that Involved In the opera
| ton OF the telegraph. II has become extensively
the medium Of communication from one end OF
the country to the other, and is destined to be the
principal medium Of the business AMI thoughts
OF the whole community. II lis absurd to suppose
this mighty agent OF modern civilization shall
continue to he In the hands Of few individuals
or one individual, OF those who can impose what
charges they please. Mr.. orion says million
people In the United States use the telegraph.
Five or ten millions, or the whole population,
should be able to use II. To restrain the employ
ment Of II Ia TO clip the wings of intelligence and
to arrest the education and progress Of the
welfare and only looks TO It's own Interests. Its
chief study Is TO make the largest income by high
rates Of charges and TO raise its stock In the
market. The Government would have no such
object, but would necessarily bring the charge
for messages down TO the lowest price, Just It
bare cost Of transmission. Then, besides the
advantage TO the people, individually and d.
rectly, Of a system Of cheap telegraphlng, the
proposed measure Of the Postmaster General
would be great benefit to the press, and to the
public through the press. Any newspaper could
have its own wires for exclusive use and could
thus furnish more ample and important news.
Considering the power and usefulness OF the
modern press, we know Of nothing that would
tend TO extend Its influence for good more than
this. In every point Of view the telegraph, un-
der the control Of the Government, In cOnnec-
ton with the postal service, would be great