New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-27


above named, and others TO which bonds were not
issued, is probably many times the amount above
stated. Hundreds Of millions OF Government aid to
railroads. and but thirty thousand to the telegraph
CONGRESS AND THE TELEGRAPH.
AT the session Of Congress in 1866 bill introduced
In the Senate 10 incorporate and confer special priv
leges upon the National Telegraph Company This bill
did not pass but pending consideration the Senate
adopted resolution requesting the General
the William Dennson. to consider and report upon
the expediency of uniting the postal and telegraph sys
tens. This report concludes with the following:
As the result Of that investigation under the
ton the Senate, am OF the opinion that II Will Dot be
wise for the Government TO inaugurate the proposed
system OF telegraph as part OF the postal service not
ito questionable feasibility under our political system
The discussion Of the subject Eat that session resulted
the passage Of general law which authorized tele
graph companies duly Incorporated under the laws
Tue several states TO construct and operate lines all
the States and Territories upon any military post
roads and navgable waters The right of
graph companies enjoy these privileges condi
toned upon their asserting TO the provisions of the BILL
among which the following:
/. That the Pcstmaster-GeDeral should Ak annually
the rates for Government messages, which messages
2 That the United States. at any time after the K
praton Of Ave years from the passage OF the act might
all OF said companies at all appraised value, 10
DO ssoerined by FIVE competent dsinerested persons
the companies interested, and ono by the four pre-
viOusy selected All Of the principal telegraph COM
psnes In the United States have filed their acceptance
OF the terms OF this act aud are therefore entitled to
enjoy its benefits
After due consideration OF the project OF postal tel
egrspb, the passage of such act by Congress,
substitute for bill proposing to confer special prvi-
Ieges npos corporation which they asked TO
ate the subsequent acceptance OF It's terms by the
companies then engaged in carrying ON the business.
understood by the latter indicating the adoption
OF liked policy by Congress. constituting COM
pact between the Government and the companies,
equally binding In honor upon both parties as II made
between indiy iduals aud executed under seal.
The contrast between the treatment by Congress OF
the telegraph and other interests 10 also noticeable ~
the terms OF this bill The privileges which 1t confers
upon the telegraph the Government nothing; and
yet they were conditioned upon the concession by the
telegraph, nrst OF the right OF Government official 10
* the rate OF charges Government messages and the
requirement that such messages should have priority
over all other business REGARDLESS of The loss and dam
sge which the companies might suffer thereby; and
ond that the Government should have the right
nsnies and 10 prohibit them thereafter from
Carving on business although the compensation
~, farsd might not be satisfactory TO the owners On
,ba ,,thr haud with but few and uniwportant excep-
Inns the grants made by the Goyernnent railroad
companies were without restrictions while tho rent
tbs n,hIic lands with the telegraph line 10 the
pcGae coast was granted upon the condition that s.
should DC the maximum cnaIke toi @ ,LeTeon
fares and neghts are now made Oy tiOso companies
Congress has aided IN az amount nosIV T,esn equal
Ave nor been materially reduced In seyeid years while
Inc present telegraph rates are now ONLY Apou'
thUss ne tbird session OF the XLth Congress three
III riiIne 10 the telegraph were presented 10 Tue
House and BY il referred TO the ComIil1ee VI i0s'
Te srst offered by Mr. wsshburne Of Illinois, pro
vded the construction by the -,
York 10 be connected WITH tho pOstOhees III tnVse
cities snd such intermediate stations az gat %
,..lVtIst,d By the The fAte nxed
~ lie U was 10 cents for message OF ~ WORDS exciu