Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-01-30
Telegraphy.

The annual report of the Western Union |
Telegraph Company for the year ending
June Both, 1873 which was published |.
during the early part of the late panic |
attracted less attention than it would |
have otherwise received, less than its i'm |
portance demanded. Although this com.
pany is a private corporation managed !
and controlled by few large stock !
holders solely as moneymaking affair,
yet there are few matters entrusted to the
General Government of greater general
interest. There is necessarily entrusted
to it the most important correspondence,
both mercantile and financial. A large
banking business is transacted by lis
bureau for the transfer of money.
Prices in all the principal marts of the
country for all articleslof merchandise are,
regulated by the daily reports from its
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
influences is daily extending, until il has
become essential to the success of many
departments of business. 1t has over so 600
miles of wire stretching along every rail.
way and reaching every important place
Its annual receipts are nearly $4,000, 600,
a larger amount than the Postoflice De.
partment received ten years ago A cor
pOration welding such immense power
is not private company; but one in
which every citizen has direct and per.
/ sonal interest.
/ The average rate of messages has been
4 PpnfInpI 81 Z To
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 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 heretofore the COM
petition from rival lines has been the
most potent cause in operation for com
pelling the company TO reduce its rates !;
but that it is now relieved from all fear
from this service, as it has recently pur.
chased nearly all the opposition lines,
and at the present rates it is impossible
for any ompeting company to realize
profits, and all are believed to be
operating at loss, and the time is not
distant, therefore, when the company will
From this frank and public statement it
appears that 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 postollice, 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 deyolved upon
Congress by the founders of our Repub.
llC, ana, rs IL mas wisely undertaken this
business, and performed it to the salts
faction Of the people, there is every reason
why it should now 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, il yet does not apply
TO the telegraph, for the agencies
now employed by the Post-otiice
= Department tor receiving and delivering
letters would be used for the telegraphiC
, letter. The present clerks could perform
all the office business, thus greatly reduc
: ing the expenses, If the Postmaster Gen
| eral was authorized to contract fol
the transmission of kilograms, as he
now contracts for the transmission of the
) mails, at rates fixed by Congress.
a bill Tor the purpose of connecting
2 the telegraph with the Post-otiice Depart
ment authorizing the Postmaster. Genera
5 to contract for the transmission of tele
! grams, was reported by committees o.
g the Senate and House of Representative.
I at the last Congress. This proposition
, we presume, will come up for action the
t ensuing winter and we trust will be
. come law. The rates fixed by
4 the bill are nearly 80 per cent below
a present charges, while the length of thC
2 telegram is so per cent. greater. Nigh
a kilograms will be transmitted at a sill
I greater reduction.
The charge of telegraphic letter o
I, % words sent by night 1900 miles o
! less will be only 25 cents. Such low
r rates will make the telegraph a publ,
+ blessing, bring it within the reach of all
0 and enable the press to establish new
a and Independent news associations. w
a shall refer again to this subject,-1He In
J. dependent,