Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-02-04
FRIDAY, FEB. 4, 1881.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Telegraph MOnOpOIy---Sena-
tors Bailey, Davis and Malone
Nho VIII Organize the Sem
ate: EEc,

ate: dc,
From our Own Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. l.
The movements of Jay Gould and
his clique of telegraph autocrats, |
the gobbling of the two little com
panies by that huge electric cormo-
rant has put in motion feeling that
is likely to cause the bird fit of
marked indigestion. The people are
beginning to discover the power of
these telegraph and other monopo-
lies, and to take measures to protect
themselves from their insidious ap-
proaches. I should not be at all
surprised. if this Western Union
transaction would hasten several
years the conflict between the cor
porations and the people which is
bound to come. Anywayit will turn
public attention toward the recon-
mendations of the Postmaster-G ener-
al in his last annual report in regard
to telegraph branch of the Post
Office Department. His plans were
not looked on very favorably then,
but public opinion is veering around
to his standpoint very rapidly.
GILMANs PLAN.
Senator Kirkwood has introduced
a bill in the Senate, which, if it
should become a law, would crush
the monster monopoly, and he thinks
it will pass. Incredulity on this
point will be pardoned, however,
when one remembers the inevitable
ending of Reagan's famous inter-
state commerce bill, and that two
thirds of Congress comes to Washs
ington with railroad pass in their
pockets, book of telegraph franks
which is like the widows oil, in
that it never becomes exhausted,
thanks to the vigilance of the tele-
graph oficers-an Adams Express
card, and other such little compli-
mentaries. The bill provides for the
incorporation of a company headed
by Mr.. Gilman, one of Jay Gould's
antagonists. The stock of the com
pany is to be issued in--duplicate
that is, if the lines cost S10,000,00(
the government shall be given Ger
tifcates of stock to that amount, ant
subscribers also receive certificate
for O. like amount The first /
Uttered B and the second A. TIL
B stock will give no dividends, no
will the government subscribe. ]
is intended only TO prevent ABSORB
ton by Gould and other capitalist
as the government will have half {
the whole stock. Stock A will b
dividend and interest-bearing, and
in the nature of private transae
ton. The rates are governed by tt
bill, and shall be not more than z
cents for 20 words. In q specific
time 10000 miles of wire are to /
erected.
CLUB EoR MILLIoNAIREs.
Have you ever noticed how rapid
the Senate is becoming a close eli
for millionaires? This, in itse
should cause no alarm but when Of
notices the number of railroad nj
who are coming in, one can see he
little chance the people will ha
should any bill touching on railro'
interests come before them, unle
the tide should soon turn. Camd
and Davis, for instance, instead
being called Senators from West '
ginia, would more appropriately
termed Senators from the B. &
r. R. Then there is Sawyer, Car
eron of Pennsylvania, Joe Brow
Pendleton, Sewell, Malone, Share
and several others.
.-... SENATOR BAILEY.
I do not know anything abe
Tennessee's new Senator, but
confident if Democrat was to
elected the members of the legis
ture have not done themselves mt
credit when they failed to reel
Senator Bailey. was surpril
when I came here to learn in W
high esteem this gentleman is b
by members of both parties. Hs
quiet, working member, and con
ouently did not attract as much
tice as the more windy South
Senators, but one and all paint
in most glowing colors. I he'