National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1874-02-20
Telegraphy.

Telogrophys M
The annual report OF the Western
Union Telegraph Company for the year
ending June 86th, 1879, which was pub
lished during tho early part OF the late
panic, attracted less attention than IT
would otherwise have received, less than
its importance demanded. Although
this company ID private corporation,
managed and controlled by few large
stockholders solely as money.making
affair, vet there are few matters entrust-
cd 10 the General Government OF great
or general interest. There 10 necessarily
entrusted TO il the most important cor
respondence, both mercantile and hnan-
cial. A large banking business is trans.
acted by its bureau for tho transfer OF
money. gdi 1ygg.t. 1u -, !,
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.
nection 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 only part OF the paper read.
II has become the educator Of the peo-
pie, aud it's influence is daily extending,
until 1t has become essential to the sue.
cess of many departments OF business.
II has over $50, 600 miles of wire stretch
ing along every railway and reaching
every important place. Its annual re-
ceipts are nearly 10000. 900, q larger
amount than the Post. Office Department
received ten years ago. A corporation
welding such immense power is not q
private company, but one in which
every citizen has direct and personal
interest.
The average rate OF messages has
been reduced in six years from 81. 10 to
81 cents and the business has been
doubled. This great reduction in rates
has been followed by slight increase
in the net income of the company.
The average rate is still much higher
than in any other country, and 80 high
as to prevent the use OF the telegraph
by any except the rich and those com.
PEELED to use it. The report says that
heretofore the competition from rival
lines has been the most potent cause in
operation for compelling the company
to reduce its rates but that it is now
relieved from all fear from this service,
as it has recently ulchased nearly all
the opposition lines, and at the present
rates "it is impossible for any COM
peting company to realize profits, and
all are believed to be operating at o
loss, and the time is not distant. there
fore, when the company will be with
out q substantial competitor.
From this frank and public statement
It appears that change will now be
made in it's policy, and that the public
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-
volved 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, i'm
provement for its rapid transmission.
It is often said that corporations can
perform any business cheaper than the
Government. Admitting the general
truth of this proposition, it yet does
not apply to the telegraph, for the agen-
cies now employed by the Postoffice De-
partment for receiving and delivering
letters would be used for the telegraphic
letter. The present clerks could per-
form all the Office business, thus greatly
reducing the expenses, if the Postmas-
ter General was authorized to contract
for the transmission of kilograms, as he
now contracts for the transmission of
the mails, ct rates fixed by Congress.
A bill for the purpose of connecting
the telegraph with the Post. Office De-
partment authorizing the Postmaster
General to contract for the transmission
of kilograms, was reported by commit.
tees of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives at the last Congress. This
proposition, we presume, will come up
for action the ensuing winter and we
trust will become a law. The rates
fixed by the bill are nearly so per cent.
below present charges, while the
length Of the telegram is 80 per cent.
greater. Night kilograms will be trans.
mitted at still greater reduction.
The charge OF q telegraphic letter of
% words sent by night 1900 miles or
less will be only Is cents. Such low
rates will make the telegraph public
blessing, bring it within the reach of all,
and enable tie press to establish new
and independent news associations. We
shall refer again to this subject. THE
Ndependent.