The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-01-24
TelegranhY.

Union Telegraph Company for the yeal
ending June Both, 1878, which was pub
ilshed during the early part of the late
panic, attracted less attention than il
would have otherwise received, less thar
It's Importance demanded. Although
this company is private corporation,
managed and controlled by a few large
stockholders solely as money making
affair, yet there are few matters en-
trusted to the General Government OF
greater general interest There is ne.
cessarlly entrusted to it the most i'm
portant correspondence, both mercan-
tile and financial. A large banking
/ business is transacted by it's bureau
| for the transfer 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-
neetiop with the Associated Press, it
collects, collates, and furnishes to the
daily papers all over the country their
Geographic dispatches, the most impor.
tant news they publish, the first and
often the onl y part Of the paper read.
1t has become the educator of the peo-
pie, and its influence is daily extending,
until 1T has become essential to the sue
cess Of many departments of business
1t has over $50, 900 miles of wire stretch
ing along every railway and reaching
every important place. Its annual re-
celpts are nearly so, 000.0 O. a larger
amount than the Postoffice Department
received ten years ago. A corporation
welding such immense power is not d
private company, but one in which every
citizen has a direct and personal in i.
crest
The average rate of messages has been
reduced III six years from 81 10 to 81
cents, and the business has been
doubled. This great reduction IN rates
has teen followed by slight increase
III 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 the rich and those compelled to
use it. The report says that hereto
fore the competition from rival lines
has been the most potent cause in op
Grafton for compelling the company to
reduce its rates; but that it is now re-
heved from all lear from this service.
as it has recently purchased nearly all
the opposition lines, and at the present
rates ut is impossible for any compet-
lLg company to realize profits, and all
are believed TO be operating at a loss,
and the time IS not distant, therefore.
when the company will be without
substantial competitor"
From this frank and public statement
1T appears that change will now be
made In its policy, and that the pub
lie cannot expect further reduction in
rates.
Abroad the telegraph Is connected
with the Postoffice, and the people use
it freely as they do the mails. We do
not believe however, that our 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
volyed upon Congress by the founders
of our Republic, and, as 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 im-
proyement for its rapid transmission.
1t is often said that corporations can
perform any business cheaper than the
Admitting the general |
truth of this proposition, it yet does |
not apply to the telegraph, for the agen-
cies now employed by the Postoifice De- |
partment for receiving and delivering
letters would be uood for tho telegraph |
&c letter. The present clerks could |
perform all the office business, thus |
greatly reducing the expenses, if the
Postmaster General was authorized to |
contract for the transmission of tele-
grams, as ne now contracts for the |
of the mails, at rates fixed
Oy Congress.
A bill for the purpose of connecting
5he telegraph with the Postoffice De
oartment, authorizing the Postmaster
General to contract for the transmits
sion of kilograms, was reported by con-
nittees of the Senate and House of
at the last Congress.
This proposition, we presume, will
come up for action the ensuing winter.
md we trust will become a law. The
rates fixed by the bill are nearly so per
cent below present charges, while the
ength of the telegram is 80 per cent
greater. Night kilograms will be trans
mitted at a still greater reduction.
The charge of telegraphic letter of
% words sent by night 800 miles or
less will be only % cents. Such low
rates will make the telegraph public
blessing, bring it within the reach of
all, and enable the press to establish
newand independent news associations
We shall refer again to this subject
The I2depende1lt.