The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-10-17
Cheaper Telegraphing.

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 a 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 the transportation
decreases 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 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
| oil
since the telegraph has been connected
with the postofiice, while here the num-
Der of kilograms has increased less than
one-third. The average rate for tele-
grams in England is 20 cents in all
Europe, "a 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
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 king and
aristocracy at once. We do not par
ticlpate 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 extension of the line and q
plan has been proposed by committees
of the Senate and House of Representa-
tlves i'll Congress to whom the subject
hxy u-b al, ha +al
will be received as letters now are at all
postoffices, and at all telegraph offices,
and transmitted between the offices by
parties furnishing and operating the
lines at rates fixed by Congress, not ex-
ceeding one cent a word for kilograms
transmitted 800 miles or less by day,
and 1000 miles or less by night ; re-
duction of about 80 per cent. of the
present rates-25 cents for night tele-
gram from st. Louis to New York or
New Orleans. This plan relieves the
postoffice from the necessity of purchas-
ing and operating lines, while it utilizes
all its 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 cor
respondence will be received and deliv-
cred through the postofiice, the mailed
letter transmitted by contract with rail
road 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 inso prac-
tical operation.