Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-04-04

The following is synopsis Of the bill known
as the Hubbard Postal Telegraph Scheme,
which provides for the incorporation of a pri-
vate company to perform tho work of postal
| tclcgraphv under contract with the Postmas-
| ter-Genera'. 1t will be seen that the scheme
| contcmpla'es mater;a. extension OF tho ad
| vantage@ Of modern tclegraphy by largely
diminishing its cost. and by encouraging it's
| use in business correspondence, and to that
extent relieving the mails Of heavy burden.
The plan contemplatc- additional expense
| to tho department, and seems to carefully pro-
| vide for the regulation of charges, etc
Section provides that the postmaster G en-
| cral shall establish telegraph offices at all
Postoiiices on telegraphic circuits. and at all
other Postuiiices viii hin ten miles Of any cir
cult where the salary of the Postmaster il not
less than $500 per annllm, and at such Cther
places as III his Judgment the wants OF the
people may require.
Section provides that the charges for the
traHsms sion of kilograms, excepting service
and Government kilograms shat be prepaid
by stamps and at the following rates for tele-
grams OF twenty words or less: When the
distance of transmission is under 300 miles
80 cents when over 200 and under 500 miles
so cents when over 500 and under Z, 0 miles.
IS cents; when over $50 and under ,OOD
miles, 81; for all greater distances, Sips :;
for telegrams directed to be transmitted by
night 900 miles or lees, 80 cents for greater
distances, so cents. AL; words shall be
counted and for every five additional words
less fifth additional rate shall he
charged. These rates to cover delivery with
in half mile of the telegraph office. Gov
crrmental and service kilograms to have pri-
orty 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 Gf $50 miles, shall not exceed
75 cents If sent by night and 81 by day but
when copies of the same dispatch are dropped
off at one or more Offices the rate for each
office shall not exceed so cents bv night and
IS cents by day. and at the same rate for each
word III excess, and 10 cents additional for
each 100 words or less for manifolding to each
newspaper receiving it.
Section authorizes the Postmaster-aen-
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 termnable 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 post
roads to keep its lines in good working order,
and promptly transmit all kilograms. After
the payment of 10 per cent. per annum upon
its 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 Postmast er- General
Section 5 provides that the Postmaster Gen
cral shall supply stamps Of the proper de-
nomination, make proper rules and regula-
tions, defines the punishment to be inflicted
upoL those who interfere with the lines or tho
working thereof, or who divuIge the contents
of any message that may lie TRANSMIT t d.
Section & authorizes the Postmaeter-Gen-
eral to increase the rate of transmission in
any State or Territory which may levy any tax
or as -essmcnt upon tho company until the in-
creased amount realized by tho company
equals such tax or license. 1t also provides
for monthly statements from all Postmasera,
and tho Postmas er-G General is directed to
cause to be prepared for the company a state
ment of tho amount of telegraphc stamps
sold, and of all other sums received for tho
tran mission Of kilograms. and of the num-
ber of kilograms received by tho 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 it's
services under said contract.
Soction names the corporal ors and defines
the powers and duties of the company
Section 3 authorizes the company to pur
chase any lines of telegraph that may be in
operation al the date of the approval of tho
act, provided such purchase receives the ap
prova OF the Postmaster-t General
Section autho ICES said company to estah
lish and maintain at it's own expense other
telegraph offices in addition to those that may
be ca ab shed by the Postmaster General.
Section II provides that if the company shall
refuse to cn'er into contract with the Post
mastcrGenerai according to tho provisions Of
the act al the rights obtained thereby shal!
cease aud determine.
Section IL gives Congress the power at any
time to repeal, alter, or amend the act.