Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-10-29
OR. CREWS OBJECTIONS TO A POSTAL
TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

DR.. Norvin Green, of the Western Union
Telegraph Company, has recognized the
popular feeling in favor of postal tele-
graph by responding TO it in an article in
she current number of the North Ameri-
can Rew.e,0. Presumably the doctor has
presented the strongest objections to postal
telegraphy that are to be sdduced. This
journal has very freely advanced views fa-
vorable to postal telegraph system. For
che ends of perfectly fair discussion, and
chat both sides may be heard by the same
olientage, we present in brief form all the
points Dr.. Green makes, omitting only most
OF the arguments and figures adduced in
support. We reserve consideration of the
doctors views for a subsequent article.
His points are l. The claim of power to
establish governmental postal telegraph
system is in excess Of the powers granted
TO the General Government. 2 While it
las the power to establish postofices and
postroads, it always hires the carrying of
she mails, because it cannot engage prop.
erly in carriage of passengers, which is an
accessory, of necessity, of mail carriage
3. The telegraph is not postal service, as it
does not transport sealed packages. The
Supreme Court of the United States has
decided that the telegraph is an instrument
Of commerce, and a telegraph company Oc.
oupies the same relation to commerce as TO
messages, as a railroad company does as
carrier of goods, 4. Congress has not the
power under its right to regulate CON-
nerce, because it has been settled that Con-
gress mas the power to regulate telegraph
companies in respect to foreign and inter-
state commerce, and thus the relation of
the telegraph to commerce is asserted.
The power to regulate does not mean the
power to buy or own the plant, and con.
duet local traffic. 5. If Government can
own telegraph lines, it can own and carry
on railroads and elevators, and warehouses
and bakers shops, etc. 6. 1t is not be-
heved that the power to regulate commerce
gives the right TO fix rates between buyer
snd seller. 7. But if the Government is to
so into the telegraph business, it Ia under
obligation to purchase the existing tele-
graph lines, according to the Act of 1866,
giving the right to build lines over rivers
and public lands and along post and mill
cary roads, and reserving to the United
States the right to purchase the lines
within FIVE years, on appraisement by five
disinterested persons. s. To establish
competing telegraph system would be an
act Of injustice TO citizens. 9. The Gov
srnmens would labor under disadvantage,
because most of the telegraph apparatus,
except the Morse system, is protected by
patents. 10. The Government must take
existing lines or be beaten by private en-
terprise in sharp competition. IL. Gov
erDuent management would invite great
abuses for political purposes l2 The pres.
ent service is better than thss rendered by
any Government lines. I3. European lines
are but one mile to 900 people, but in the
United States there is nearly one mile for
each 300 OF population. In Great Britain
there is one Office for each $500 souls, in
the United States one for every 3, 700.
One company in the United States alone
made more extensions and greater increase
of business in ten years than all the Eng
ish Government lines in the same period.
The transmission in the United States is
more rapid than in Europe, and greater
accuracy is secured, because under Gov.
ernment system complaints are unavailing,
Governments acknowledging no RESPONSE
bility. The tolls are far lower in ths
United States than in Europe ID, Iii 8
admitted to make the telegraph sys-
tenn unit would be of value to the public
service, yet it is complained that one COM
pany is unifyipg the service Is. A Gov
ernment telegraph would augment the
patronage of the Administration, give
dangerous advantage to the dominant party
in close elections, invite q possible espion.
age of messages, and however Eacredly
privacy might be guaranteed, the non.
administration party would never admit