Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-25
TELEGRAPRIC COMMUNfCaTION
The Western Union Teleprnph Comnany

The Western Union Telegraph company
have determined to test the question of
whether communications intrusted to them
for transmission are in the nature Of conf.
dental communications, or are public prop
erty, and to that end have Endorsed the action
of an operator at Topeka, Kansas, in refus-
ing to deliver kilograms affecting the integri-
ty of Senator Ingalls, for the inspection of
the legislature of that State. We heartily
approve of the conduct of the company, and
only regret that it has been taken SO late,
and under circumstances that render it obvi-
Gus that it was taken solely and simply to
subserve the most despicable of partisan pur-
poses
For fifteen years past the telegraph COM
pany in question have surrendered the most
private and sacred communications at the
beck of Congresses, courts and legislatures
without a protest. These communications
were intrusted to the company under the sup
position that they were inviolably secret
private as like communications would be if
passed through the mails. That confidence
has been repeatedly violated, but only in the
interest of one particular party. Whenever
it has been asoertained that the exposure OF
telegraphic correspondence would benefit the
Republican party, or any distinguished mem
Der of that party, the telegraph company
have surrendered that correspondence with
out hesitation. Now, when it is proposed
to prove that a distinguished Senator of that
party has been guilty of gross corruption
and bribery in order to obtain reelection,
the telegraph company propose to make a
test of the issue, and to refuse to deliver up
the dispatches demanded.
We find no fault with the determination
of the company. We only regret that it was
not arrived at SO oner, and for the sake of the
company that it was not arrived at under
circumstances that would leave no ground
for the accusation that is partisan
matter. For many years the COM
pany have refused to make the test, although
there has been ample opportunity. That re-
fusal must, under the circu instances, be
charged to the grossest of partisanship. AS
long as the party in power was to be assisted
by making the secrets of the telegraph Of
fees public property, there was no objection
now that man high in repute in that party
is in danger of being compromised by such
exposure, the company refuse to divulge.
We have always insisted that kilograms
were privileged communications, and that
the officers! of telegraph company could no
more be compelled to divulge them than a
physician or lawyer could be compelled to
divulge communications or confessions con-
fded to them. Not only should they not be
compelled, but they should not be permi. ted
to divulge such communications. We sin
cerely trust that, however much we may con-
denn the motives that have actuated the
telegraph company in this matter, they will
succeed in establishing precedent which
will preserve the inviolability of telegr aphic
messages. They ought to be as private as
messages conveyed through the mails. We
have no fear but the courts will pronounce
such verdict, if the case shall be properly
presented. At any rate the issue must be
raised, and if the telegraph company neglects
to press this case to final conclusion, we
trust some individual whose rights may be
compromised will raise the issue and settle
the question finally and forever.