Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-22
Fi.htimgthe Telegraph.


In noticing the boast of the friends of the
late James Gordon Bennett that he was friend
of all enterprises of public character, the
Journal Of the Telegraph says:
cit will be remembered that the first line of
telegraph established in the United States was
the experimental line between Washington and
Baltimore, for which the means were furnished
by congressional appropriation out of the public
treasury, which was completed in the spring of
1874 Further government patronage was pre-
vented by the advice OF the postmaster general,
who in his report to congress, declared his be-
lief that the telegraph, although an interesting
experiment. could never become of practical
value, and the very moderate offer of Professor
Morse for the sale of his entire invention to the
United States government was declined.
"The only resource for its future development
was in an appeal to the enterprise of the bust
ness men Of the country. In order to bring the
invention to the attention OF the business inter-
ests, Mr.. Ezra Cornell, who had superintendent the
erection Of the Washington and Baltimore line,
opened for exhibition a short line of telegraph
IN Boston. Finding but little announcement
in that city, the exhibition was soon abandoned
there, and transferred to the city OF New York,
where an experimental line was opened in the
autumn of 1914, for exhibition to the public.
The line extended from 112 Broadway to
point just above the present Metropolitan hotel
So little attention did this wonderful! invention
fee Of one shilling per head, that Mr..
Cornell and his assistant found it extremely
difficult 10 maintain themselves in the most
humble manner, upon the entire receipts of their
exhibition. Sleeping upon the chairs in their
exhibition room they often found it necessary
to 90 10 bed supperless. Without the means of
paying for advertising, the daily papers were
beSOught to notice the exhibition editorially.
Kindly notices were given by the Express and
Evening Post, as well as some of the other pa
pers of the day, but not word could the Herald
be induced to say, Finally Mr. Cornell sought
an interview with Mr.. Bennett, and solicited his
attention, He was met ny the very frank state
ment by Mr.. Bennett that he was opposed to the
success OF the telegraph. In Mr.. Benefits own
words, he mad at great expense established his
expresses in such Il manner that he could beat
all his rivals, and if the telegraph were once
successfully established he would lose his adj
vantage
Within two years Mr.. Cornell had the proud
satisfaction demonstrating 10 Mr.. Bennett the
value OF this mode of transmitting important
news. During the year 1S45, maiuy by the eff
forts of Theodore 5. Paxton and his associates
of Utica, company was organized for building
telegraph line between New York and Buffalo
The section between New York and Albany was
built understhe superintendent of MIR. Cornell
and was opened for business at the end of 1876
Gov 1Oungs annual message was transmitted
to the legislature the first Tuesday of January,
1S41, at noon. AT that hour a Herald mes en-
ger, with copy of the message, left the capital
on horseback, provided with relays of feet
horses at short intervals. Riding at breakueck
speed all night, he reached White Plains Ito
which point the Harlem railroad was then in
operati0n) the following loren BON, where a
special locomotive was in waiting to bring him
10 the city. What was his surprise to meet at
this point newshoys selling copies of the New
York Express Of that morning, containing Gov.
Young's message in full, which had been trans
mtted by the despised telegraph. Thus Mr..
Benefits enterprise was at single blow COM
petely annihilated, and tue telegraph was Sue.
cessiully established in spite OF his chilling ill.,
difference"