The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-01-29

the situation"
Telegraphy.
The annual report of the Western
Union telegraph company for the year
ending June 30, 1873, which was pub
lished during the early part of the late
panic, attracted less attention than it
would have otherwise received, less than
its importance demanded. Although
this company is a private corporation,
managed and controlled by few large
stockholders solely as money-making
affair, yet there are few matters entrus-
ted to the general government of greater
general interest. There is necessarily
entrusted to it the most important cor
rcspondencc, both mercantile and fl
nancial. A large banking business is
transacted by its bureau for the trans
fer of money.
Prices in all the principal marts of
the country for all articles of merchan-
disc are regulated by the daily reports
from its commercial bureau. In con-
nection with the associated press, it col
lects, collates, and furnishes to the
daily papers all over the country their
telegraphic dispatches, the most impor-
tant news they publish, the first and
often the onl ly part of the paper read.
1t has become the educator of the
people, and its influence is daily extend
ing, until it has become essential to the
success of many departments of bust
ness. IT has over $50, 900 miles of wire
stretching along every railway and
reaching every important place. It's
annual receipts are nearly $40, 100000,
a larger amount than the postoffice de-
partment received ten years ago. A
corporation welding such immense
power is not private company; but
one in which every citizen has direct
and personal interest.
The average rate of messages has
been reduced in six years from Sl.10 to
81 cents, and the business has been
doubled. This great reduction in rates
has been followed by slight increase
in the net income of the company. The
average rate is still much higher than
in any other country, and so high as to
prevent the use of the telegraph by any
except tho rich and those compelled to
use it. The report says that heretofore
the competition from rival lines has
been the most potent cause in operation
for compelling the company to reduce
its rates but that it is now relieved
from all fear from tlIls service, us 1t has
recently purchased nearly all the oppo-
siton lines, and at the present rates
"it is impossible for any competing
company to realize profits, and all are
believed to be operating at Il loss, and
the time is not distant, therefore, when
the company will be without substan-
tial competitor"
From this frank and public statement
it appears that change will now be
made in its policy, and that the public
cannot expect further reduction in
rates.
Abroad the telegraph is connected
with the postofiice, and the people use
it freely as they do the mails. We do
not believe, however, that cur govern
ment should interfere in private mat
ters, nor that the power of the execu-
tive should be enlarged; but the duty
of transmitting correspondence was de-
volvcl upon congress by the founders
CT cur republic, and, ao it has wisely
undertaken this business, and per
formed it to the satisfaction of the
people, there is every reason why it
should now adopt this, the latest, i'm.
provemcut for its rapid transmission.
1t is often said that corporations can
| perform any business cheaper than the
government. Admitting the general
truth of this proposition, it yet does
not apply to the telegraph, for the
agencies now employed by the post
office department for receiving and de-
livering letters would be used for the
telegraphc letter. The present clerks
could perform all the Office business,
thus greatly reducing the expenses, il
the postmaster-gcneral was authorized
to contract for the transmission of tele,
grams, as he now contracts for the
transmission of the mai 8, at rates fxet
by congress.
A bill for the purpose of connecting
the telegraph with the postoilice depart
ment authorizing the postmaster gen
eral to contract for the transmission o.
kilograms, was reported by committee!
of the senate and house of representa-
tives mt the last congress. This propO
sition, we presume, will come up fol
action the ensuing winter and we trust
will b come law. The rates fixed by
the bill are nearly 50 per cent. below
present charges, while the length of the
telegram is so per cent. greater. Night