Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-03-13
POSTAL TELEGRAPHY.

The following is a synopsis of the bill known
as the Hubbard Postal Telegraph Scheme,
which provides for the incorporation of a pri
vaie company TO perform the work of postal
teegraphy under contract with the POstmas
ter General. IL will be seen that the scheme
contemplates a material extension of the adj
vantages Of modern telegraphy, by largely
diminishing its cost, and by encouraging its
use in business correspondence, and to that
extent relieving the mails of heavy burden.
The plan contemplates no additional expense
TO the department, and seems TO carefully pro-
vide for the regulation of charges, etc.
Section provides that the Postmaster. Gen
eral shall establish telegraph Offices at all Post
offices on telegraphic circuits, and at all other
Postofices within ten miles of any circuit
where the salary of the Postmaster is not less
than $500 per annum, and at such other places
as, in his judgment, the wants of the public
may require.
Section 2 provides that the charges for the
transmission Of kilograms, excepting service
and Government kilograms, shall be prepaid
by stamps and at the following rates for tele-
grams of twenty words or less: When the
distance of transmission is under 200 miles, 80
cents; when over 200 and under 500 miles, 80
cents; when over 500 and under 40 miles, 75
cents; when over $50 and under 1000 miles, 81 (;
for all greater distances, $1.25; for kilograms
directed TO be transmitted by night LOCO miles
or less, 80 cents; for greater distances, 80
cents All words shall be counted, and for
every five additional words or less one-ffth
additional rate shall be charged These rates
to cover delivery within half mile of the tel
off ant al nd a
grams to have priority in transmission.
| Section fixes the rate forspecial dispatches
| to newspapers and commercial news associa-
| tions as fellows: For each 100 words or less,
| for each circuit CT $50 miles, shall not exceed
| rs cents if sent by night and 81 by day. but
when copies of the same dispatch are dropped
of at one or more offices the rate for each Of
! flee shall not exceed so cents by night and IS
! cents by day, and at the same rate for each
word in excess, and 10 cents additional for
each 100 words or less for manifolding to
each newspaper receiving it.
Section authorizes the Postmaster General
to contract with the Postal Telegraph Com
pany for the transportation of correspondence
by telegraph as his agent for that purpose;
such contract TO be terminable at the option
L
! furnish suitable accommodation for the en-
ployes and instruments Of the company; said
company to have the right on all post routes;
to keep its lines in good working order, and
promptly transmit all kilograms. After the pay
meht of 10 per cent per annum upon its capital
stock, Its profits are TO be appropriated to the
construction and the extension of its lines,
and to the reduction of rates, under the direc-
of the Postmaster General.
Section provides that the Postmaster
General shall supply stamps of the proper de-
nomination, make proper rules and regula-
tions, defines the punishment to be inflicted
upon those who interfere with the lines or the
working thereof, or who divulge the contents
of any message that may be transmitted.
Section authorizes the Postmaster General
to increase the rate of transmission in any
State or Territory which may levy any tax ol
assessment upon the company until the in
creased amount realized by the company
equals such tax or license. 1t also provides
for monthly statements from all Postmastcrs
and the Postmaster General is directed tC
cause TO be prepared for the company state
ment of the amount of telegraphic stamps
sold, and of all other sums received for tn,
transmission Of kilograms, and of The mum
bT of kilograms received by tile department
and their stamped value, and, after deduct
ing five cents on each telegram transmitted
shall pay the remainder of such receipts tC
said company as full compensation for its ser
vices under said contract
Section names the corporators and defines
the powers and duties of the company,
Section authorizes the company to pur
chase any lines of telegraph that may be il
operation at the date of the approval of the
act, provided such purchase receives the ap
proyal of the Postmaster General.
Section authorizes said company TO estab
lish ard maintain atsits own expense othel
telegraph offices in addition to those that may
be established by the Postmaster-General.
Section 10 provides that II the company shall
refuse to enter into contract with the Post
mNster-Geperal according TO the provisions Of