The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-11-14
To Correspondents.
Two Notable Projects.

Postmaster General Creswell is lust now
exceedingly busy in pressing forward two
great schemes, which he doubtless expects,
II successfully carried through, will preserve
his name from oblivion for all time. One of
these projects-that of Il Postal Teegra PHI
was urged by him before the last Congress,
hut failed to carry, probably for want of
time, OF what is more likely, because the
members Were so benumbed by the exposure
OF the Credit Mobilier frauds, and were only
qoickened into lfeagain by the Salary Grab
just before the adjournment
The other project to which Mr.. Creswell
is now bending his energies, is one to form
great National Savings Bank, in connec-
ton with the Postotlice Department Nci-
thcr OF these schemes is original with Mr.
Creswcil, his models being found in Great
ybrl'aln. The argument that they have been
successfully carried out there is not n f,ir
one to apply 10 this country. The British
Government is monarchy, while ours is
supposed to be a Republic; and many things
may be done there, in full accord with their
system of government that would in our
own country, be direct infringement unon
popular rights.
The dangers to free government that lurk
in these two notable schemes are manifold.
and their liability TO abuse would far ont
weigh any good they might possess-even
supposing that the government could manape
either OF these affairs better than individuals
or corporations. The telegraph scheme
would create and foster Il system of cspion-
age That past experience has shown might,
in times of political contests, prevent any
party opposed to the national administration
from making use of the telegraph Business
men, too, would hesitate to trust important
messages TO IN agency which, in case of neg
lect to properly send them, could not be held
responsible for any loss that nigh, ensue
from such neglect.
A case in illustration of this recently ham
pened in England, where the Postal Telepapb
was sued for loss occurring through the
careIcssness of a telegraph official but with
out avail, judge deciding that there was no
remedy against the postotlice Department.
Both the projects would necessitate the
employment Of large number of additional
clerks, thus swelling enormously the army
OF oil1ce-holders, all of whom, holding their
positions subject to the will of their Chief
would be obliged to subordinate their own
political opinions TO his, and vote as he MIGHT
dictate. The reason why these schemes would
bedangerous, and perhaps fatal to Republican
institutions are numerous, besides those we
have mentioned. We earnestly hope that
they may not find friends enough in Con.
gress to carry them through The General
Government, in its several departments, has
already Srasped more power than the found
ers of the Republic ever intended it should
possess, and these two projects we have
named are well calculated to enlarge the DOW
er OF the Government to greater extent,
perhaps, than anything that has preceded
thG.h42 They are in complete accordance
with the spirit of the dominant faction,
whose aim has constantly been to override
the rights of the people, and centralize power
in the hands of the General Government. If
carried out a long stride will have been taken
III the march of dcspotism, that must sooner
or later, destroy all that has been left to the
people Of their right of sclf.gCyernment guar
antecd them under the old Constitution of
he United States.