Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-07
THE POSTMiSTER-GEyERAL's REPORT

That part of Postmaster. General Ores
hams annual report which will first he
sought fo7 and read with the Creates, inter
est is that in which he discusses the postsl
telegraph scheme and very general dis.
appointment will be felt, we think, when it
is found that the Postmaster-Geueral is on.
posed to tie scheme. His conclusio, is that
while the existing companies operate their
lines solely for the purpose Of making money.
and while it is doubtless true that their rates
as whole, are unreasonable yet he does
not lhink the evils comparcd OF are SO
gricvous us to call for Congressional inter.
venlion. Aud in another paragraph he saws
In seasons of political excit.mcu, md. To
some extent at other times, is there not
ground for serious apprehension that the
telegraph, under the exclusive control OF the
dominant party, night be abused 10 promote
partisan purposes and pcrpttuatc the power
OF administration But If il could be kent
entirely free from such influence, | should
hesitate TO sanction measure providing ,ha,
the United States shall become the proprietor
OF telegraph lines, and operate them by lis
officers and agents.
Postmaster General Gresham summarizes
the three substitutes which have been pro-
posed for the present telegraphc system of
the country as follows: First. The acauisi-
ton and operation of the existing lines by
the government. 3D. The construction by
the government of lines which 1t will operate
in conn., clifton with existing companies Sd.
The creation of company by which lines OF
telegraph are 10 be supplied to the capital of
each State, and other places having given
number of inhabitants, or where stations are
now maintained, or the business of the coun.
try may hereafter require them. The com
pahy' In consideration of the special powers
conferred by Congress, is, at certain reduced
rates to be prepaid by stamps, to transmit
messages at compensation to be paid by the
United States not 10 exceed ten per ccut,rm
upon its authorized oapitsl stock over ard
above operating expenses. The government
Is obliged to furnish at each station the reo
lisltc accommodations for the officers Elm.
poyed in the transaction of business, and to
assume the duty of receiving messages. ond
delivering by mail or otherwise such as are
transmitted.
AS 10 The ilrst two plans, Gen. Gresham
enters into quite an elaborate argument 10
prove their constitutionality, and then winds
up by saying, as above quoted, that he does
not favor them, though lie advances no arpu.
ment against them. As to the third plap. he
seems 10 doubt its constitutiouaity, and
adus; Connecting that Congress has MI.
monty 10 inc 'rpoa,c company and clothc
IL win the power necessary for the effectual
accomplishment of the purpose in view, such
measure will inaugurate new policy, the
adoption OF which do not feel at liberty 10
recommend"
VI course on such a question there ia |
ample ground for difference of opinion . |
put IL seems TO us that tie argument is alto
gelher en- the side of government telesraphv
We are somewhat surprised that Post nas,cr.
General Gresham should SO strongly oppose
1t and at the same time give no substan,i,,
reasons for his opposition.
AS to other matters OF current interest
Postmaster-General Gresham is opposcd N
reducing local postage from two cents TO
one cent. He says;
reduction of the local rate ,o ono cer,
On lne present volume of business, would
leave the carrier service heavy charge mon
the general revenues of the department a.
every Office, save that at New York. Il !.
true That an increase of business il IN he ox.
pected, but that would require additional
carriers, and thus augment the present cx'
pense' The proposed step would lead to n
clamor for the extension of the carrier sys.
.em 10 an indefinite number OF the smaller
,lties and towns, where its maintenance
would be almost wholly at the expense of
ne general revenue. An important reduc,
ion Of postage has just been effected by
hanging the domestic letter rate from 4
'enls TO o. This change, unlike the one pro.
'ose1, is of benefit to ali the people Of tbs
country In proportion to the extent which
hey patronze the mails. For A time NJ
east, It will sensibly diminish the postai
eVeIue aud n'n 'se Blu j n nn1n III. gen.
raj treasury. II would seem to be nru1ent q
o wait until the dafcinp,y tn r'S""'