The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25
tive Anderson, of Kansas, for bring
BUSINESS

i've AAuClSO1l, VI hduSetS, 1OI DIluB-
ing the
TELEGRAPH BUSINESS
of the country under the control of
the po5toffice department, provision is
made for the ultimate purchase by
the government of all the telegraph
in the United States. To
appraise the value of any telegraph
plant two disinterested persons are to
be selected by the postmaster-general,
two by the company concerned, and
one by the four previously selected.
IL might happen in the way political
are made, that all five
of these appraisers would have more
interest in the welfare of the tele-
graph company than in that of the
government. But supposing that it
would be an easy matter to select dis
interested appraisers, there are some
difficulties in the way of government
monopoly of the telegraph business of
the country. The nominal value of
the property OF the Western Union
telegraph company is S80,0O0000, and
1t Is estimated by competent Judges
that the actual value of the whole
plant, including poles, wires, batteries
and patents is not over S25. 600.
But the Western Union paws diyi-
dends to its stockholders on the
former amount. That is the value of
the property to owners and the gov
eminent could not obtain it for less.
except in violation of the prohibition
against taking private property for
public use without just compensation.
There are besides other telegraph
companies in operation, and still 9TH
ers springing into existence; all of
which would have to be purchased at
high rates before the government
would have a monopoly of the bust
ness. a consideration of these start
ling facts alone should deter politi-,
clans from agitating the purchase
and control of the telegraph property
of the country. The bulk of
the people do not desire gov
ernmental control of the tele-
graph lines, and if they did
popular sentiment would be opposed
to the enormous expenditure. All
that the people demand is that their
legislators frame judicious laws to
prevent the eXorbitant charges and
the injurious discrimination of the
telegraph as well as railroad monopo-
lies. 1t
WOULD NOT ENHANCE FREEDOM
to place more than the absolutely
necessary amount of power in CEN
trail government. 1t is easy to see
the tendency to imperialism, the grasp
ing desire for more administrative
power at Washington, of the party
that now controls the destiny of our
country in violation of the will
of the majority. To give the
government control of the telegraph
and railroad lines would be to place
this party beyond the voice of the
people and be long step toward mon
archical rule, now feared by many of
our wisest heads. The first part of
Mr.. Anderson's bill will do, but it will
not be the part of wisdom to place one
bit more power at Washington. The
Democratic party can never consist
emily support any such bill. The
question of again
REvIvING AMERICAN SHIPPING
Is now agitating the solons on Capitol
Hill. AS usual, the hireling press of
New York city, that is a large portion
of it, are utterly opposed to any meas
ure looking to a revival of the Stars
and Stripes on the high seas, and any
congressman that advocates the build
ing of our merchant marine will
sooner or later encounter their filth
flinging batteries. The fact is becom-
ing notorious that many prominent
journals in New York are in
the pay of British ship-builders
hence their vehement Opposi-
ton to everything American
and every sensible proposition for
making our merchants independent
of England.
The John Goldman gang is ais
hanging about the capitol to antago-
niZe this class of legislation. Cod
man is a shrewd lobbyist lured by
British shipping interest to reside in
Washington to influence legislation
in their favor and to subsidiZe all pur,
chaSeable journals for the same ne.
| fariOuS work.
Congressman
REAGAN AND wELLBORN,
of Texas, are taking an active and
leading part in the discussions before
| the house on this question. Mr.. Well.
born's speech on the subject was an
able effort and was characterized by
determined opposition to the eight
zenith section of the bill now before
the house, looking to revival of oul
merchant marine. This section pro
vides for system of subsidies to
| be paid by the United States
government to our ship builders tt
make up the difference between the
cost of labor and material here and OF
the Clyde. Mr.. Wellborn commended
that free ships were the legitimate
remedy to existing evils and to grant
subsidies was bad in results and hos
tile to the spirit of our institutions
Judge Reagan holds the same views, a:
well as the other members of our dele
cation. Judge Roach, the famous
ship builder, of Pennsylvania, has ;
strong lobby here to work in the inter
est of the bill, for if it become law il
will place millions in his pocket.