Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-01-04
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH.

pears to have grown in favor until now
it can be safely said that it is one of the
probabilities of the present session. A
Washington dispatch of the Goth ult.
gives synopsis of a bill reported by
Ramsey, of the Committee on Post
offices, which is said to embody the
main provisions it is designed to incor-
porate into new service. The bill con-
templates the establishment of telegraph
Offices at the post Offices on telegraph
circuits, and at others within ten miles
thereof where there is a salary of at
least $500 per year, and in other places
where the wants of business require.
The charge for the transmission of mes
sages must not exceed one cent per
word, counting address, and signature
for circuits of $50 miles, with no rate.
less than twenty-five cents. Press re-
ports will be subject to like reduction
from the present changes. :: . ..
The bill contemplates contract with
a postal telegraph company, with a
capital stock of SIS, 900 shares Of $rOO
each, to be increased by an amount
equal at par value to the cost of the
line purchased or constructed, and the
present companies are allowed to- sell
to this company at price fixed by a
board of appraisement consisting of two
persons appointed by the Postmaster
General, two by the seller and one to
be selected by the four thus appointed.
This seems to be as fair mode of pro-
ceeding as can be devised, although it
does not appear to be received with
favor by the telegraph combination That
now controls all the lines of the country,
and it is believed that the recent pur-
chase of the majority interest in the
New York Tribune is to bring the great
influence Of that journal to bear against
the proposition. This action creates no
surprise. It is but natural that the
monopolists who have received so
many golden eggs should object to kill
ing the goose that lays them; but is is
no less natural that the people, through
their representatives, should desire to
relieve themselves from the extortionate
demands of wealthy corporations who
have no soul to save or body to damn.
The objection that this service will
materially increase the Government
patronage, and tend to centralize the
power of the Administration is, we
believe, more apparent than real. The
several monstrous corporations have
been quite as much under Government
control heretofore as they can be. under
direct supervision. The railroad and
telegraph companies hive recognized
"party necessity" too often, for us. to
believe that they will brave the "pow-
ers that be- or invite unfriendly legisla-
ton, when their revenues may be mater
tally affected thereby. At Least it must
be conceded that the benefits to be
derived from general use Of the tele-
graph will be of incalculabfe value to
the people, and the enormous increase
of business will render it nearly if not
quite self-sustaining appendage to the
postal service. In adopting this project,
our people will not be passing over un-
tried ground. The experienced of several
European nations, including that of
Great Britain, which has always taken
the lead in all the important postal re-
forms that have been adopted. in this
country, has been of the most crafty
ing character. The English Postmas-
ter-Geneal, in his last report men
tons the case of London business
man'who on one day handed in a mes
sage to be sent to LOO different per-
sons. The sender found the cost to be
not greatly in excess of the cost of
printing, folding, and distributing so
many circulars, and as a. means of at
tracing attention it was infinitely pre-
ferable. Here, however, tie cost en-
tirely precludes the use of the telegraph
for such purposes, and actually closes
it to all classes except thf wealthy, or
when On emergency demands pecuni-
airy sacrifice. The proposition now sub
mitted will, we belieye, bring the tele-
graph within the reach. Of all, and
from this view and for this object we
heartily wish it success. o. rq''r "a.
@ The Courier says the editor of
this paper is candidate for Territorial