Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-15
Why the Government Should Ian.
age tac Telegraph system.


The control or the telegraph system OF the
country IS centering In few hands The
more rapidly the business assumes the form of
monopoly, the stronger become the argr-
mentS In favor OF action by the government
directly connecting the telegraph with the
postal system. There are only few forms of
JUSTICES IL which IL Is either right or eXpsdent
Tor the government TO engage. Tho general
and impartial diffusion OF Intelligence for the
common interests has been recognized as an
appropriate Office OF government. TIE power
to establish post offices and post roads was con-
ferred upon Congress by the Constitution as
the best method then existing TO accomplish
this end Had the telegraph system been then
IN operation. can Il De doubted thaS the poger
to utilize Il, IS the most effective means OF diff
fusing knowledge. would have been conferred
upon the government? And is 1t not in accord.
anee with the spirit Of the constitution to adopt
now this superior method which time has de-
Veioped? The business OF managing the tele-
graph system OF the county Is one which will
De performed cheaper and bstter for the public
by the government than By private individuals,
lt Is an occupation IN which when the aim ia
pubic benefit and not profits, monopoly and
not competition is most desirable. The original
outlay Is vast, AMI the use OF what is offered is
general aid small IL amount for each tndl-
cheapnesS consistent with public Interests. fs
best administered by government. The
diffusion OF knowledge by q corporation VIII
not De general for It's lines will extend onIy tn
points which promise Immediate profits; it VIII
hot De entirely impartial, for it "a hardly In
human nature to fOrOear 70 show favor3 TO
constant aad profitable customers. when one
is personally interested IN the gaias of the
business The superior cheapness Of govern
ment Over corporate management caln1t b,
questioned. The exceedingly Low rates aid In
Europe, where corporate control Is unknown,
furnish conclusive evidences en- tal5 po'nt, In
$50 the English government displaced the cor
porationS which had control OF the JeicyraDh
system, and the VAST Increase OF Ofi;s5. the de-.
crease II rates, and the additional convenience
furnished the public. have jus-lfaI fhe chanp,.
III the same rear similar step was PROPOSED.
IN Congress for the United States. II This
" great aud glorious country hal scrlple5 a.
that time against following SO closely In the
footsteps OF Ian effcte monarchy" perhaps
our ten years 0; experience since under the
opposite sy stem, c01trastad With the workings
OF the European plan, have furnished us the
grounds for an indepeld mt judgment. In
dl5plaelnS the corporations which nov have
charge OF the telegraph system, appropriate
compensation should be rendered The pros
pect OF competition on the part Of govern nent
would doubtless cause these corporations, with
d patriotism quickened by sense OF interest.
TO come 10 terms very readily.
The anti Kelly movement In Tammany has
assumed proportions which alarm the boss.
and he Is LOW exertiDg every influence at his
command 10 save himself. The election OF new
sachems VIII be held next Monday and the
opponents OF John Kelly express themselves as
quite confident OF beating him and his slate.
It appears that the anti-Kellyttes have been
making 'Stin hunt that while Kelly was
nattering himself with the deluston that eyery
thing was working as smoothly as heretofore
In bis interests, his enemies were quietly Or
gaming 10 Gust him. Kelly Is working O
scheme that las been adopted by him several
timts In the past-that OF getting new mem.
bers admitted into Taumany, ali OF whom are
pledged 10 support the present regime. The
opposition have appealed TO all the members
who have 2osented themselves from the organ
lZatlon because OF dislike for Kelly, to partic!-
pate IL tbs election, and help overthrow the
boss. Many OF the New York city democrats
who have been active IN opposing Tanuaay
ale members CT the latter organization. CON.
gresham Hewitt, for Instance. has never sev-
cred his membership from Tammany, and the
anti keliyites count upon substantial aid from
these men.
IL is too soon 10 undertake to estimate tie ex.
tent or the democratic following In Virginia
Senator Malone will have IN his Independent
movement, bat the Fredericksburg Record
estimates It as pretty formidable, and says it
speaks from knowledge OF the men concerned
The jury in the case OF Miss Mary A. Murray
against Postmaster E. b. Tyler, Of Baltimore,
.nlF NIL,