The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-12-15

ALA
nose. In the absence of legislation
DIV Congress / was unwilling, on the
one hand, to yield toa foreign State
the right 70 say that its grantees
might land on our shore, while II
denied a similar right to our people
20 land on its shores and, on ID
other land, | was reluctant to deny
70 the great interests OF the world
and of civilization the facilities oil
such communication IS were propos-
ed. 1 therefore withheld any resist
n 10 the landing of any cable: on
condition that tho offensive monopoly
feature of the concession be ADAM
doned, and that the right OF any
cable which may be established. by
authority OF this Government to land
on French territory and to connect
with French lad lines and enjoy the
necessary facilities OF privileges Incl
dent 10 the use thereof. upona as favor
able terms as any other company, be
conceded. As the result thereof, the
COMPANY in question renounced the
exclusive privileges, and the repre-
sentative Of France was informed
that. understanding this relinquish-
ment 10 be construed as grant
iro the entire reciprocity and
equal facilities which had been de-
manded, the opposition to the land-
ing of the cable was Withdrawn.
The cable under this French conces-
sion was landed in the month of
July. 1866, and has been an efficient
and valuable agent of communica-
ton between this country and the
other continent. 1t soon passed I'M
der the control Of those who had the
management Of the cable connect
ing Great Britain with this CONT
nent, and thus whatever benefit to
the public might have issued from
competition between the two lines
was lost. Having the greater faclli-
ties of an additional line, and the
additional security of accident to q
of them. these increased facilities
and this additional facility, together
with the combined control of the
capital Of two companies, gave also
greater power to prevent the future
construction of other lines, and to
limit the control Of telegraphic COM
municaiion between the two conti-
nents to those possessing the lines
already laid. Within a few months
q cable has been laid, known as the
United States direct cable, connect
ing the United States directly with
Great Britain. As Dol as this ca
bic was reported to be 10 good work
ing order, the rates of the existing
consolidated company were greatly
reduced. Soon, however, a break
was announced 10 this new cable,
and Immediately the rates of the
other line. which had been reduced,
were again raised. This cable be-
ing repaired, the rates appear not to
be reduced BY either line from those
formerly charged by the other COM
PAW. There is reason to believe
that large amounts of capital, both at
home and abroad, are ready to seek
profitable investment in the advance
ment Of the useful most civilized
means of intercourse and correspond
ence. They await, however, the as
surance Of the mean and conditions
on which they may safely be made
tributary to the public good. As
these cable telegraph lines connect
separate States, there are questions
as TO their organization and control
which probably can be best if not sole
ly settled by conventions between
the respective States. In the alb
sence, however, Of international o q
ventions on the subject, q municipal
Legislature may secure many points
which appear TO me important, if
not Indispensable for the protection
of the public against the extortions
which nav result from a monopoly
of the right Of operating cable tele-
grams, or, from a combination between
several lines: First, no line should
be allowed to land on the shores OF
the United States under the conces-
sion from another power, which does
not admit the right OF any other line
or lines formed in the United States
to land and freely connect with and
operate through the land lines. Sec
ond, no line should be allowed to
land on the shores Of the United
States which is not by treaty stipu-
lation with the Government from
whose shores it proceeds, or by pro-
hibition 10 its character or otherwise,
to the satisfaction Of this Govern
ment, prohibited from consolidating
or amslgamsIing with any other ca
BILE telegraph line, or combining there
with, for the purpose of regulating
aud maintaining the cost Of telegraph
ic communication. Third, all lines
should be Round to give precedence
in the transmission Of the official
messages OF the Governments Of the
two countries between which it may
be laid. Fourth, a power should b,
reserved TO the two governments
either conformity or to each, as re
CARDS the messages dispatched from
its shores, to fix q limit to the charge:
TO be maintained for the transmission
of messages, l present this subject
TO the earnest consideration o
Congress, in the meantime, anC
unless Congress otherwise direct,
shall not oppose the landing OF any
telegraphic cable which complies
with and asseuts to the points above
enumerated, but will feel it my duty
TO prevent the landing of any which
does not conform to the first and
second points as stated, and which
will not stipulate to concede to this
Government the precedence in the
transmission Of its official messages,
and will not enter into a Satisfactory
arrangement as regards its charges
FRAUDULENT NATURALIZATION AND
REPATRIATION.
Among the pressing and import
ant subjects 10 which. in NV opinion
the attention Of Congress should bt
directed, are those relating to fraudu.
lent naturalization and expatriaiion.
The United States. with great Iiber.
atty, offers its citizenship TO all who.
in good kith, comply with the re.
qulrements Of the law. These re-