Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-01-01
Cheap Transportation.

Low rates aud quick dispatch increase
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 stage
coach 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. If
there are two railroads of the same length
the one carrying double the quantity OF
freight of the other, its expenses 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 with 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 1E 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 more than doubled
within three years since the telegraph
has been connected with the post0ifice,
while here the number of kilograms has
increased less than one third. The aver
age rate for kilograms in England Is rs
cents: in all Europe, 81 cents; in Aaneri-
ca, s73 cents. The Postmaster General
recommends the union of the telegraph
with the postoffiee by the purchase and
operation of the lines of telegraph. While
all admit the greater cheapDess and more
free use of the telegraph abroad, some
oppose this plan or the ground that I'M
der arepublican 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 a king and aEis-
tocracy at once. We do not participate
in these fea-s, and the sooner this ques.
ton is understood and decided the better.
Others oppose this plan on account OF
the great outlay involved in the purchase
and extension of the line; and plan has
been proposed by committees Of the SEN
ate and Eouse OF Representatives in Con
gress 10 whom the subject was referred,
by which kilograms will he received as
letters are now at all post-offices, and at
all telegraph offices, and transmitted be
tween the offices by parties furnishing
and operating the lines at rates fixed by
Congress, not exceeding one cent word
for kilograms transmitted sos miles or less
bg day, and 900 miles or less by night;
"a reduction OF about so per cent. OF the
present rates-S5 cents for a hight tele-
cram from ST. Louis 10 New York or New
Orleans This plan relieves the post
Office of the necessity of purchasing and
operating lines, while ii Utilities all its
existing facilities, and places the tele.
graph at once within the reach Of all
classes. This systesa is in exact analogy
with the present postal service: all core
spondence will be received and delivered
through the postoffice. the mailed letter
transmitted by contract with railroad and
stage-coaeh contractors, the telegraph
letter by contract with the telegraph com
pany. The benefits of this plan are evi.
dent; 1t involves no Constitutional qnes.
tions, and can be easily, quickly and
without cost TO the General Government
carried into practical observation-disclosures
Ledger.