The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-02-05
Telegraphy.

Telegraphy.
The annual report of the Western Union
Telegraph Company for the year ending
June 80th, 1878, which was published
during the early part of the late panic.
attracted less attention than IL would
have otherwise received, less than its I'M
portance demanded. Although this COM
pany is q private corporation, managed
and controlled by few large stockhOld-
ers solely % a money.making affair, yet
there are few matters entrusted to the
General Government of greater general
interest. There is necessarily entrusted
to 1t the most important correspondence,
both mercantile 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 IF merchandise
are regulated by the daily reports from
it's commercial bureau. In connection
with the Associated Press, it collects,
collates, and furnishes to the daily
papers all over the country their
telegraphic dispatches, the most impor-
tant news they publish, the first and often
the only part of the paper read. 1t has
become the educator of the people, and
its influence is daily extending, until it
has become essential to the success of
many departments of business. 1t has
along every railway and reaching every
important place. Its annual receipts are
nearly $10,OOOO 900 larger amount than
the Post-ofi:e Department received ten
years ago. A corporation welding such
immense power is not private company;
but one in which every citizen has di.
rect 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 fol-
lowed by slight increase in the net in
come 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 re-
port 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 purchased near
~ all the opposition lines, and at the
present rates lit is impossible for
any competing company to realize
profits, and all are believed to be
operating at loss, and the time is not
distant, therefore, when the company
will be without substantial compel
itor."
From this frank and public statement it
appears that a change will now be made
in its policy, and that the public cannot
expect further reduction in rates.
Abroad the telegraph is connected with
the post office. and the people use it freely
as they do the mails. We do not believe,
however, that our Government should
interfere in private matters, nor that the
power of the Executive should be en-.
larged; but the duty of transmitting
correspondence was devolved upon
Congress by the founders of our Repub-
lie, and, as it has wisely undertaken this
business, and performed it to the satisfac-
ton OF the people, there is every reason
why it should not adopt this, the latest,
improvement for its rapid transmission.
1t is often said that corporations can per-
form any business cheaper than the Gov
eminent. Admitting the general truth of
this proposition, it yet does not apply to
the telegraph, for the agencies now EN-.
ployed by the Postoffice Department for
receiving and delivering letters would be
used for the telegraphic letter. The present
clerks could perform all the Office
business, thus greatly reducing the
expenses, if the Postmaster-Gen
eral was authorized to contract for
the transmission of kilograms, as he
now contracts for the transmission of the
mails, at rates fixed by Congress.
A bill for the purpose Of connecting
the telegraph with the Postoffice Depart
ment authorizing the Postmaster Gen.
eral to contract for the transmission OF
kilograms, was reported by committees OF
tie Senate and House OF Represents
tives at the last Congress. This PROPOSE
ton, we presume, will come up for action
the ensuing winter and we trust will be.
come q 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 transmitted at still
greater reduction.
The charge of telegraphic letter of Is
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 the press to establish new and
Independent news associations. We shall
refer again to this subject.-The Inde'
pendent