Connecticut western news., 1873-11-28
Cheaper TelegraDhing.

Low rates and quick dispatch in , crease all kinds of business that relate
 to the carrying of passengers, freigh or letters. If the rates are too high neither corn nor grain can be sent iron
 the extreme West to the seaboard, anc
 only limited quantity from places less
 remote. Not one passenger would gc
 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. II
 there are two railroads of the same
 length, the one carrying double the
 quantity of freight of the other, it's 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 mil lions, 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 15 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 it's use has more than doubled within three years since the telegraph has been connected with the post office, while here the num- Der of telegrams has increased less than one-third. The average rate for tele- grams in England is 25 cents in all Europe, 34 cents in America, 73 cents.
 The Postmaster General recommends the union of the telegraph with the post-office by the purchase and opera tion of the lines of telegraph. While all admit the greater cheapness and more free use of the telegraph abroad, some oppose this plan on the ground that under republican form of govern ment the telegraph cannot be managed as well as under monarchy. If this be true, and the people are unable to manage their affairs, then give us a king and aristocracy at once. We do not participate 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 plan has been proposed by committees of the Senate and House of Represen- tatives in Congress to whom the sub- ject was referred, by which telegrams will be received as letters are now at all post-offices, and at all telegraph offices, and transmitted between the offices by parties furnishing and operating the lines at rates fixed by Congress, not exceeding one cent a word for telegrans transmitted 500 miles or less by day, and 1000 miles or less by night reduction of about 50 per cent. of the present rates-25 cents for night telegram from St. Louis to New York or New Orleans. This plan relieves the post. office from the neces- sity of purchasing and operating lines, while it utilizes all it's existing facili- ties, 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 post office, the mailed let ter 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 into prac- cal operation.