The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-10-24
Cheaper TeIegraphiny,

Low rates and quick dispatch in
crease all kinds of business that relates
to the carrying of passengers, freight
or letters. If the rates are too high,
neither corn nor grain can be sent from
the extreme West to the seaboard. and
only limited quantity from places less
remote. Not one passenger would go
to Kansas or California where ten now
go, if the stagecoach were substituted
for the railroad, the fare remaining the
same.
The actual cost of transportation de-
creases as the quantity of merchandise
and number of passengers increase. If
there are two railroads of the same
length, the one carrying double the
quantity of freight of the other, its ex-
penses will not be fifty per cent. greater,
for many of them bear no relation to
the amount of business-as the general
office expenses, grading, fencing, ties
and culverts.
In the mail service especially, by the
greater dispatch afforded by railroads
and the reduced postage, the mailed
letters have increased within a few years
from forty millions to five hundred mill
ions, while the deficit of revenue is no
greater In proportion to the number of
letters transmitted at three cents than
at the former average postage of Is
cents. This principle applies still more
strongly to the telegraph; the rates are
so high that few can afford to use it,
although the gain in time over the mails
is so great. Abroad, at low rates, it is
generally used. In England its use has
more than doubled within three years
since the telegraph has been connected
with the postoffice, while here the num-
Der of kilograms has increased less than
One-third. The average rate for tele-
grams in England is % cents in all
Europe, 81 cents in America, 70 cents.
The Postmaster General recommends
the union of the telegraph with the post
office by the purchase and operation of
the lines of telegraph. While all admit
the greater cheapness and more free
use of the telegraph abroad, some OPP
pose this plan on the ground that under
a republican form of government the
telegraph cannot be managed as well as
under monarchy. If this be true, and
the people are unable to manage their
own affairs, then give us a king and
aristocracy at once. We do not par
ticipate in these fears, and the sooner
this question is understood and decided
the better.
Others oppose this plan on account of
the great outlay involved in the pur-
chase and exsention of the line and
plan has been proposed by committees
of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives in Congress to whom the subject was
referred, by which kilograms will be re-
celved as letters now are at all postOffices,
and at all telegraph offices, and transmit
ted between the offices byparties furnish
ing and operating the lines at rates
fixed by Congress, not exceeding one
cent word for kilograms transmitted
500 miles or less by day, and /, 900 miles
or less by night a reduction of about
80 per cent. of the present rates-25
cents for a night telegram from st.
Louis to New York or New Orleans.
This plan relieves the postoffice from
the necessity of purchasing and operat-
ing lines, while it utilities all it's existing
facilities, and places the telegraph at
once within the reach of all classes.
This system is in exact analogy with the
present postal service all correspond
ence will be received and delivered
through the postoffice, the mailed letter
transmitted by contract with railroad
and stagecoach contractors, the telegraph
letter by contract with the telegraph
company. The benefits of this plan are
evident it involves no constitutional
questions, and can be easily, quickly and
without cost to the General Government
carried into practical operation.