The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-12-19
Postmaster CresweIrs Plea for
Cheap Lightning.
ORT0N'S WINDBAG PUNCTURED.
What the Government, tho Press and the
People May Expect from Independent
Government Lines Of Telegraph.

pose ofhearing the presidents OF several telegraph
companies and the Postmaster General developed
no new facts, although Mr. orion, the President OF
the western Union Telegraph, seems to have found
in 1t an opportunity for selfglorincation. He mis-
took the cause and the occasion.
called on the Postmaster General this evening
to ask him what he thought OF the result OF the
meeting. Mr.. Creswel who is a gentleman Of
genial presence and afrability, met my purpose
more than half way, for he replied to my questions
with cheerful alacrty The following conversation
took place.
81 hear, postmaster General, that Mr.. orion
boasts OF having obtained victory over you at the
meeting last evening. How did that come about 2"
sNUB FOR MR.. ORION.
"After rebuking orion for his insoence In en-
deavoring to say what was proper or what was
improper on the part Of an Official OF the govern
ment (meaning myself, l gave him to under
stand, very clearly. that did not regulate my
official conduct to suit him or to suit the
Western Union Telegraph; that l simply did
what was right and just 70 the people OF the
United States, and made my recommendations
utterly regardless OF the reception that might be
given to them by either Mr. orion or his company.
II is simply question with me what the interest
Of the people OF the United States required, and
not what the Western Union Company desired or
is without i'll will to the company any one else.
1t is simply in the public interest that present to
the country the best and fairest statement OF the
telegraph question. could not possibly obtain all
the information with the limited means at my
command. without dollar to eXpend in the mat
ter, have, with the assistance Of single clerk,
whom detailed for that work, opened
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE TELEGRAPH Au-
THORITIEs
abroad, and so far as could with the telegraph
companies at home. The results thus obtained
have embodied in my report and the tables accom-
panying IT, and presented them to the President of
tlss United States l expressly stated in my
report that l did not claim that all
at my command the details which are
essential to precision. Nevertheless |, contended
ced were substantially correct and sufficient to
induce Congress to grant all that asked for the
further calculation OF the subject namely the
appointment OF commission of competent and
impartial persons for the thorough investigation
THE SPEECH OF MR. ORION
has confirmed me in my opinion; though he adj
dressed the committee for nearly two hours, he
allied tof furnish any OF the facts which were really
desiredwith reference to the expenditure and ac-
tual property the company. The act OF 1885, about
which Mr.. 0rten had so much to say, has confirmed
the OF the 70 De chosen unaed
effects" and we have no correct statement from
him as to what these Zines, property and effects
consist or or their cost present value. This
topic he seems to have studiousy avoided. With
view 20 ascertain what smo .n Of money the
sampasss ner ss properly
ana effects, careful scrutiny should be
made upon the examination OF their BOOKS sa ana
The mere general declarations OF Mr.. Orton avail
nothing, and should have no weight whatever in
forming the minds oil the committee. They did not
need from him
HIGH SOUNDING GRAFTON;
they wanted facts / am averSe equally with Mr..
orion to any hasty action upon the subject. where
such large interests are involved. But returning
to the request contained in my report, l renewed
my application for the appointment OF commits
sion. That is the substance OF what said before
the committee.
OUEsTION-Have you estimated, Postmaster Gen.
eral, what sum would be required to buy out the
Western Union Telegraph
ANSWERING government would replace all these
lines with its superior advantages over individu
ais, at the price have already named 1872 OOO 000),
In the FIRST place; Tor government has few, II any
rights Of way 70 pay an sa %%d AM nave
sary to import. 1t must he borne in mind that
under the act OF 1866. although the companies are
bound to sell the government is not bound to buy,
and unless the companies will sell upon
FAIR AND REASONABLE TERMS
would aSy tssr tS b ~ 70 t
IDENTITY OF all others. Mr.. orion, in his speech,
s graph na' IKE Ss%ark might @ oeen made ss
about the postal service OF the country.
number nb Of letters sent did not exceed fe onesens
OF the SIX or seven hundred millions which now
pass annually through the mails This wonderful
and to the cheapenins Of rates. so with re-
gard to telegraph business hn ssou The m%ipica
Million win extend y to many millions Of the
luxury Of the rich as now 1t will become equally
the privilege OF the many. This has been verified
in II 10 snd
nave been increased and the rates have been low
cred. And herein lies
between the management by private companies
and that Of the government. On the one hand the
companies are managed in the interest Of the
hand the postal telegraph will be managed for
the pubic benefit. What advantages over
press ? The press generally would have the
right to rent wires, which think would be much
cheaper than the most favorable rates that they
can obtain now from the western Union Tele-
graph. Now think
A GREAT PAPER LIKE THE HERALD
would be greatly benefited by such an arrange
ment, not only because it. would obtain cheaper
rates, but because Its independence would be en-
tirely unshackled
covenant appears to have been entered into by
the Associated Press to sustain the Western Union
Company through thick and thin, whether the
OrEsTIoN-Have you q desire, Postmaster Gen.
eral, to assume tho control OF both the telegraph
and the postal serviceS
am anxious to obtain control OF the telegraph
with view OF extending my jurisdiction and au-
thOrity. There is not word OF truth in that. |
suppose that work as hard a. any officer In the
public service, and the amount OF detail |
am called upon TO supervise daily will amaze any
person who has no experience In the matter.
Questions are coming to me continually from all
the bureaus and departments, relating TO the mall
service OF every section Of the world, calling for and
receiving the best attention that can give them.
THE BATTLE or THE TELEGRAPH
will not be the battle OF day or of year. II will
never he over unt.l the people themselves are
informed upon the subject ana stirred TO
activity In their own behalf. This Is
the work that | have commenced. That
1t win he ended triumphantly before many
years | have no doubt, because the progress
Of our people and the genius fthe age will demand
IL. But have no expectation Of ever controlling
the telegraph While am Postmaster General My
opinion Is that the companies VIII continue TO
make war against the postal telegraph IN the vain
hope o. cX,orting from the people IN immense sum
Of money for the surrender o. hneif property