The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-04-10
Postal Telegrapby!

The following is a synopsis of the bill known
as the Hubbard Postal Telegraph Scheme.
which provides for the Incorporation of pri-
yate company to perform the work Of postal
telegraphy under contract with the PostInas-
ter-General. It viii be seen that the scheme
contemplates material extension Of the ad-
yantages OF modern telegraPhy, by largely
diminishing its cost, and by encouraging its
use IN business correspondence, and to that
extent relieving the mails Of a 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-Ge
eral shall establish telegraph Offices at all
Postoffices on telegraphic circuits, and at all
other Postotices within ten miles of any cir
cult where the salary of the Postmaster is not
less than $500 per annum, and at such other
places as, III his Judgment, the wants OF the
people 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 loss: When the
distance of transmission is under 200 Iniles
80 cents; when over 200 and under 500 miles,
! so cents when over 500 and under 760 miles,
! 70 cents when over $50 and under LOCO
miles, 81; for all greater distances, $I.25 :;
| for kilograms directed to be transmitted by
night 1000 miles or less so cents for greater
I distances, so cents. All words shall be
| counted, and for every five additional words
| or less One-hfth additional rate shall be
| in half a mile of the telegraph Office. Gov
ernmental and service kilograms to have pri-
Ority in transmission.
Section fixes the rate for special dispatches
| to newspapers and commercial news associa-
| tions as follows: For each 100 words or less,
for each circuit of $50 miles, shall not exceed
IS cents if sent by night and 81 by day but
when copies Of the same dispatch are dropped
on at one or more offices the rate for each
Office shall not exceed so cents by night and
rs 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-Gen
eral to contract with the Postal Telegraph
Company for the transportation of correspond
ence by telegraph as his agent for that pur-
pose !; such contract to be terminable at The
option Of Congress. The Postmaster-General
to furnish suitable accommodation for the
employees and instruments Of the company
said company to have the right on all pos
roads; to keep its lines in good working order
| and promptly transmit all kilograms. After
the payment of 10 per cent. per annum upOI
it's capital stock, its profits are to be appro
! priated to the construction and the extension
Of its lines, and to the reduction of rates
under the direction of the Postmaster General
Section 8 provides that the POstmaster-Gen-
eral shall supply stamps Of the proper de
nomination, make proper rules and regula
TONS defines the punishment to be inflicted
upon those who interfere with the lines or the
working thereof, or who diYulge the contents
| OF any message C0aC may be transmitted.
Section authorizes the Postmaster-Gen-
eral to increase the rate of transmission in
any State or Territory which may levy any tax
or assessment upon the company until the in
creased amount realized by the company
| equals such tax or license. It also provides
for monthly statements from all POstmasters,
and the Postmaster-G General is directed to
cause TO be prepared for the company state
ment Of the amount of Geographic stamps
sold, and of all other sums received for the
transmission of kilograms, and of the num-
Der of kilograms received by the department,
and their stamped value, and, after deduct
ing five cents on each telegram transmitted
shall pay the remainder OF, such receipts to
said company as full compensation for its
| services under said contract.
Section z 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 II
operation at the date of the approval of the
act, provided such purchase receives the ap
prevail OF the Postmaster-General.
, Section 8 authorizes said company to estab-
lish and maintain at its own expense othe
telegraph offices in addition to those that ma.
be established by the POstmaster-General.
Section 10 provides that if the company shall
l refuse to enter into contract with the Post
master-General according to the provisions o
: the act all the rights obtained thereby shal
l cease and determine.
Section IL gives Congress the power at an.
time to repeal, alter, or amend the act.