The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-02-28
NUMBER 25.
Telegraphy.

The annual report of the Western Union
Telegraph Company for the year ending
June 30th, 1873, which was published dur
ing the early part of the late panic, attrae-
ted less attention than it would have other
wise received. less than its importance de-
manded. Although this company is a prl-
yate corporation, managed and controlled
by few large stockholders solely as
money-making affair, yet there are lew
matters entrusted to the General GoVern-
ment of greater general interest. There Is
necessarily entrusted to it the most impor-
tant correspondence, both mercantile ana
financial. A large banking business Is
transacted by its bureau for the transfer OF
money.
Prices in all the principal marts of the
country for all articles of merchandise ar
regulated by the daily reports from IT'S
commercial bureau. In connection WITH
the Associated Press, it collects, collates,
and furnishes to the daily papers all over the
country their telegraphic dispatches, the
most important news they publish, the
first and often the only part of the paper
read. 1t has become the educator OF the
people. and its influence is daily extending,
| until it has become essential to the success
of MANY departments of business. 1t has
over $4,000 miles of wire stretching along
every railway and reaching every impor-
tant place. Its annual receipts are nearly
i $4,000, 600, a larger amount than tne Iost-
office Department received ten years ago.
A corporation welding such immense
power is not private company but one
in which every citizen has direct ana
personal interest.
The average rate of messages has been
reduced in six years from ST. 10 to 6l cents
and the business has been doubled. rms
, great reduction in rates has been followed
by a slight increase in the net income OF
5 the company. The average rate Is sun
much higher than in any other country,
and so high as to prevent the use OF the
telegraph by any except the rich and tnose
I compelled to use it. The report says that
: heretofore the competition from rival lines
: has been the most potent cause IN opera
: ton for compelling the company to reduce
II IFS rates but that it is now relieved from
!. all fear from this service, as it has recently
y purchased nearly all the opposition lines,
! and at the present rates 6 it is Impossible
e for any competing company to feailze
profits, and all are Believed tob operating
e at a loss, and the time is not distant, there
/ fore, when the company VIII be Without
lie substantial competitor"
2 From this frank and public statement II
IN appears that change viii now be made
Of I'M its policy, and that the public cannon
ne expect further reduction in rates.
ID Abroad the telegraph is connected witt
y the post-office, and the people use 1t freely
a 3 as they do the mails. We do not believe
MT however, that our Government should IN
at terfere in private matters. nor that tn
e en power of the Executive should be eniaf9
ed ed: but the duty of transmitting CORES
r; pondence was devolved upon Congress 0,
NJ NJ the founders of our Republic, and, as
If If has wisely undertaken this business, an
80 10 f1a caticfanfi0n of the DeC
n, Die. there is every reason why it shoul
e rsi now adopt this, the latest, improvement
led / for its rapid transmission. 1t is often sal
re- that corporations can perform any bus
the ness cheaper than the Government. Az
r re hitting the general truth of this propos
as, tion. it vet does notapply to the telegraph
md for the agencies now employed py u
III u Post-office Department for RECEIVING an an
ttes delivering letters would be used 1or u
as, telegraphic letter. The present cleri
could perform all the office business TIL
Greatly reducing the expenses, if tt
Postmaster General was authorized
contract for the transmission OF tel
me Grams. as he now contracts for the tran
ew mission of the mails, at rates hXed
Congress.
| a A bill for the purpose of connecting Il
inc telegraph with the Post-offiee Departme
ing authorizing the Postmaster-General
contract for the transmission OF Telegram
ion was reported by committees OF the SEM
"a = and House of Representatives at the Il
sed Congress. This proposition, we presuni
' will come up for action the ensuing VI VI
con ter and we trust will become law. 1
ee1 'ent rates fixed by the bill are nearly, 90
,vnS ,Tas cent. below present charges, while !
Mne ;ns length of the telegram is so per cel
iIaa he greater. Night kilograms will be tral
h0 mitted at still greater reduction. !.
The charge of telegraphic letter OF
ans VII he onlv 81 cents Such low rates
pro- n,ai,e the TELEGRAPH a public blessiI
i to hr;mo, 4 w;thi3 fine reach of all, a
to enable the press to establish new
ses independent news associations.
te. shall again refer to this subject.-4he
eket dependent.