The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-12-17


thrn for their outlay
Impressed with tt.e conviction that the
Interest not only OF the people of the Uni
ted States, but of the world at large, de-
n1ai1d or would demand, the multiplication
of such means of communication between
separated continents, | was desirous that
the proposed connection should be made.
But certain provisions of this concession
were deemed by me to be Objectionable,
particularly one which gave to the compa-
ny. for a long term OF years, the exclusive
right of teleg.aplic communications by
submarine cable, between the shores of
France and the UTuited States. / could not
concede that any power sioald claim the
riglat to land cable on theasliores of the
United States, and at the same time deny the
United States, or to its citizens, equal rights
to land a cable on its shores. The right to
control the condition for the laying of a
cable in waters within the jurisdiction of
the United States to connect our shores
with those of any foreign state pertains
exclusively to the government of the Unit
ed States, under such limitations and condi-
tiOns as Congress may impose.
In the absence of legislation by Congress.
| was unwilling, on the one hand, to yield
to foreign state the right to say that its
grantee might land on our shores while it
denied a similar right to our people to land
on lis shores and. on the other hand,
WAS reluctant to deny to the great interests
OF the world of civilization the facilities of
such communication as were proposed |
therefore withheld any resistance to the
: landing of any cable, on condition that Of
fensiye monopoly part of the concession be
abandoned, and that the right of any cable
which may be established by authority of
this government. to land upon French terri-
tory.ald to connect with French land lines.
and enjoy all the necessary facilities at pres
ent incident TO the use thereof.
The company in question renowned the
exclusive privilege and the representative
of France was so Informed. Understand
ing that this REIMBURSEMENT was to be con-
strued as granting the entire reciprocity
and equal facilities which had been demand
ed. the opposition to the landing of the ca
bic was withdrawn. The cable. under this
French concession. was landed III the month
of June, 1869, aGd has been an efficient and
valuable agent of communication between
| this country and the continent 1t soon
passed under control however, of tho e who
: had the management of the cable connect
ing Great Britain with this continent, and
thus, whatever benefit the public might
have enjoyed from the competition between
the two lines, was lost.
The company having greater facilities OF
an additional line and the additional securi-
ty. in case of accident to of them, OF
being able to use the other gave it great sta
biity. But the increased facilities and
this additional security, together with con-
! troll of the combined capital of the eonipa-
lies gave also greater power to prevent
future constructions and Limit the control
of the telegraplIie communication between
t two continents TO those possessing lines
! already laid.
i Within u few months past n cable has
} been laid known a tlfe U. S. Direct Cable
II Company. connecting the United States
cireetlY with Great Britain. As soon as
, this cable was reported to be III working
+ order the rates of the then existing eonsoii-
dated companies We're greatly reduced.
} Soon, however. a break was announced in
this new cable. and Immediately the rates
of the other line, which had been reduced.
) were again raised. This cable being now
repaired, the rates appear not to be reduced
| by either line from those formerly charged
! by the other company.
: Thre is reason to believe that large
+ amounts of capital, both at home and
e abroad. are ready to seek profitable invest
ment in the advancement of this nsefui
and most civilizing means of intercourse
! and correspondence.
They await however, the assurance OF
{ Governments for the safety of the means
aud contributions which they may make
: tributary to the general good.
REGULATIONS FOR OCEAN rELEGRAPHs posi-
PoNED.
) As these cable telegfaplls connect the sep
arate states, there will be questions as TO
J their organization and control. which prob
ably can be best if not solely settled by
i
. In the absence. however, of international
conventions on the subject. national legis-
lation may be secured on many points
: which to me appear important. it not indis-
pensable. for the protection of the public
against the e2tortionS which may result
: nom monopoly OF the right OF operating
cable teiegraplls, or from a combination
/ between several lines. First No line
sould be allowed to land OH the shores of
The United States under concessions from
xxzlasf oh ftrN F1aea
right of any other line or lines from the
United States to land and freely connect
with and operate through its land lines.
Second: No line should be allowed to
land Oh the shores of the United States,
which is not. by treaty stipulations with
the government from whose shores 1t pro-
ceeds, or by provision In its charter, or
otherwise, to the satisfaction of this gov
ernment, prohibited from consolidating or
amalganating with any other cable tale
graph line. or combining Herewith for the
purpose OF eleyating and maintaining the
cost of telegraphic Communication. Third:
The lines should be bound to give preee-
dence III the transmission of official messa-
ges to the governments of the two countries
between which it may be laid. Fourth: a
power should be reserved to the two govern
& ments. either conjointly or to each. as re-
CARDS the messages dispatched from its
shores. to fix a limit to the charges to be
maintained for the transmission of messa-
ges.
present this subject TO the earnest con-
sideration of Congress in the meantime,
: and unless Congress otherwise directs, |
shall not oppose the landing of any cable
which complies with and assents to the
points above enumerated, but will feel it
my duty to prevent the landing of any
which does not conform with the. first and
second points. as stated, and which will
not stipnlate to eoneede to this government
the precedence IN transmission ofits official
messages, and will not enterinto satisfacto-
ry arrangements as regards its charges.
Il FRAUDULENT NTNATURIIzATION.
Among the pressing aud important sub
Jects to which, In my opinion, the attention
of Congress should be directed. are those
relating to fraudulent naturalization and
expatriation. The United States, with
great iiberalitv, offers its citizenship to al
who, IN good faith, comply with the require
melts of law. These requirements are as
simple. and upon as favorable terms to the
emlgrant. as the high privilege TO which he
y admitted can or should permit. And
GO not propose any additional requirements
g those which the law now demands But