The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-17


term post route regards tho space occupied by
railroad across q country? Does it mean the 100
feet right of way just much occupied by tho
line itself? How would it apply to the land occupied
by telegraph?
General Butler-It is to be construed as meaning
just so much OF it us is necessary for the transmits
sion of intelligence. To illustrate take the case
whore the railroads refused to postal cars.
as they did. somewhat recently. l con-
suited upon that matter and 1 advised that
under the law the Postmaster General had right to
put train their roads at his will and pleas.
iire and their cars must get out of the way under
peril of obstructing United States mails. Not only
that bnt IL there is new form for the transmission
of intelligence, it is post road for that form.
For instance suppose that 1t should be done by
water-by putting in waterpipe. That would be o
would DO the best way TO put it down by
the side of railroad. Or it might be
done by pneumatic tube aud that would be within
the meaning OF the term post route" whstever
method should be adopted as means for conveying
intelligence would como under that term.
Mr.. Dorsey-But telegraph lines run their poles
outside the limits of u railroads right of way.
county roads and across the country where there
no roads. Would you consider such n line post
route?
cHEAPHSED INTELLIGENCE
Mr.. Butlcr-Certainly. sir. when II is road; but
You must declare IL to be post road first. We have
declared railroads. But let mo return for mo-
mcnt TO this case and then am done with it, uc-
ferrng to the IN Otto) II goes out of its way
to say what is the duty of Congress. The question
OF desirabity of having the legislation proposed by
the bill passed is easily decided. great mass of
petitions bearing upon IL have been received. II
chcapcns intelligence and IL needs no investigation
by committee to dcormine it's dcsirn-
bIlity. Will you pass q bill allowing IL to be done,
and when 1t is DONE ii done ut all by these railroads.
place IL under the supervision of the Post Office De-
partmentg IL will then become of that Depart
mcnts agencies to control forward and carry in
tclgence. think statement Of the is its best
argument, and shall not add anything by way OF
PLANTATION. Cheapcncd intelligence is wanted. and
competition can cheaper intelligence. There
men who ready. under permission 10 attempt to
cheaper 10. The authority is wanted to prevent in
reference by means of or through instrumcntalites
that against Ii. That is the simple problem, and
IL the competing lines come together by the amend
ment which have proposed, and which Is the spirit
of this BILL for took the bill and attempted to boil
IL down, then the Postmaster General will
troll the rates and to IL that the people
pay no than fair price for fair
service done by companies whose stock under that
direction will not have been watcrcd. Railroad stock
may be- and telegraph stock may bo but IL Is not
probable that what results from any new combina-
ton would be.
Mr.. Mitcheli-Thc amendment to the Army bill
now before the Appropriation committee authorizes
as understand IT, the Postmaster General to fix the
rate ratcsp
General Butcr-Yes, sir.
Mr. Mtcheu-n proceeds upon tho theory that
Congress regulates tho price OF the transmission OF
intelligence by letters packages &C., and therefore It
should have the right to fix t,egraphic rates.
General Enthusiastically.
MI. Mitcheil-Under what law do you propose TO
I delcga this power to the Postmaster General?
Mr.. Butcr--I propose TO do Il by the act of 1866,
which allows the Postmaster General FIX the rate
for transmitting government business by telegraph.
Mr.. Mitcbcll-Then why mas he not already the
authority you sock to.atve htmf