New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-22
GENERAL CABLE LAW.
THE DRAFT OF ONE MADE by Mr.. MONROE in
RESPONSE TO PETITIONS FROM COMMERCIAL
CITIES

RESPONSE TO PETITIONS FROM COMMERCIAL
CITIES.
lBY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRrBuNI
WASHINGTON March 2t.-Numerous petitions
have been presented TO every recent Congress ior
permission to land ocean Geographic cables on the
coast of the United States Many of these petitions
have been presented by individuals or companies
who had no intention of constructing such cables,
but who intended to sell their privileges when they
secured them Several concessions Tor land cap'cs
have been hawked about in London and other
European capitals.
At the opening of the present Congress, APP
plcations in the customary NUMBER were
received, and simultaneously memorials rom
the six leading commercial cities. New
York. Boston, Philadelphia Baltimore I'm
cinnati and st. Louis were presented, signed oy
the most prominent merchants and business men
who have occasion TO the cables, asking
for the passage of general law ior 'ne
landing of cables All bills and memorials
ON the subject introduced in the Iionse
were sent to the Committee on Foreign Affairs ana
nv the committee referred to Mr. Monroe. of Ohio,
AZ a subcommittee to make report. Mr.. Monroe
has spent much time in making thorough investl-
gotion of thc subject He has consulted with lead
ing business men in the large commercial
cities with those interested in the present
cables and with some of the most distinguished
lawyers in the country and he has drawn up a Dill
which has met with general approval ana VIII uh-
donbedly be agreed to by the full Committee on
Foreign Affairs at its next meeting. Ii is believed
that if this bill is adopted it will make unnecessary
all further legislation on the subject.
The following is the text of the bill:
Re enacted ETC.,, That ali communication that may
hereafter he established by any citizen q the United
Ua i Inc nW Of me United states or OF any
Is elf
company association OF any foreign country,
between the United States aud any foreign country o
means of any tclrgrapic magnetic lines or cables
laid and over Tho waters reefs island shores ana
lands within the jurisdiction Of the United states.
shall be subject TO the following conditions. 'tp,
ulatons, aud resery atlons to Wiz ~ The 81
the same privileges with regard 10 the control and u-e
of any such line cable by law, aEIeeinnt OF
Otherwise De exercised and enjoyed by any for
cign Government whatever (2J CITIZENS of the
United states shall enjoy the same PRIVILEGES ior
the TRANSMISSION OF message ~ are tiIa " , n H.
commuicai t. had 10 The Transmission a. uisritccs
aii be- dc m Tie foowing order: iirsi, dispatches
OF state under such regulations may be agreed upon
with Governments Interested, The rates not 10 *
coed those charged 10 individuals secondly. dispatches
or cl.graphc services; AM thirdly, private disatches
a. The lines Of any such cables shan b Aepi % 20 Tue
ube for the daily transmission OF market ana CONNER
ril reports and private ana general intelligence
and all messages, dispatches ana e"n9u'' a.;
which they are received except hcrenbefoTe provided
o. Before extending and e-tabs1nS any suc1 itne or
cable ~ over ani waters reefs, l-aAis 'pv,'H VI
lands. within The jurisdiction 0i the hed S'ate'
of terms CONDITIONS
by this act shall bc flied In the Office of The s,crel, Oh
state py the parties company, corporation or association
proposing To establish tclcgrtpnic communication
NSECTIOS ,. That subject To thr FOREGOING eonuous'
stipuai and Hud subject 10 the terms 81
such grants have heretofore been made ~ Congress
for laying and maintaining Geographic cables between
the United -atcs and foreign countries, the consent OF
Congress hereby given To any person or persons VINO
are citizens ~ the United states, ana 10
any company, corporation or association created
under OF the United states. or o any STATE or
by any citizens or subjects company, corporation or
association any foreign country To lay. maintain ana
operate any Geographic or magnetic me or Hhcsi
cable or cables between the United states aud
foreign eOuntres. IN ana over I've mA',t re-,
reefs. islands, shores aud lands, within the
any all rights OF property and state Jurisdiction
and over the same.
any way make known or Intercept the cor
tents OF any message, or any part thereof,
any cable other properly OF the company or lntcr-
with the workings repair or u.e oi any cab' OF
line conn cctcd with such cable, shall. upon conviction
thereof III District Court OF the United states, or III
any District Court OF the district III which such ctbc
Is landed be subject 10 irc not exceeding 5000 or
10 lmprsonment Toy exceeding three yeas "r
injured thereby shall have Hghi OF action Tor dii-
ages. shall bc the duty 81 the Attorney General To
offending against any provisions u this oct III The DIS
trIci Court OF The United states.
sac l. That any person on board oil any snip OF Vr,sc'
registered the United Stttcs VINO thal "iiulb
injurc destroy any cable used ior the iran 'i!ssion
OF Geographic dispatches between foreign conn-
tIIcs uDun the hugh seas, sIJI,. upon cOhNlc-
tioa thereof ia any Di,uict Court of I'll" United
States subject fine not exceeding Tlppoo, or ~
nnpri,onmrnt for term not eAccchlhs nNc yt.Is o.
both al the discretion OF tie Court aid the owners oi
such Injured destroyed cable shall have rShi o ac
ton for damages against the person wfuiIy causing
sucn injury or destruction
The House Committee on Foreign Affair, discussed
Mr. Munrocs bill, to-day aud viii vote Oh 1t at its
next meeting.