Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-02
Wanted-.A Postal Telegraph.
-..-L ~ N. Y. Herald. %. -.

t, N. Y. Herald, 30. r at
The strike Of the Western Union
Company againststhe public has had
one good effect. 1t has forced the at
tentiou Of the people to the expedi-
ency Of q government or postal tele.
graph. The question is being dis
cussed by thoughtful journals in all
parts Of the country, and the discus
sion is likely to continue. awe print
elsewhere a few extracts from many at
hand, to show the general drift OF
public opinion.
Several important points seem al
ready fixed in the public mind:
First-It is generally admitted that
monopoly of the telegraph by the
government would be as inexpedient
as one by a private company, snch as
the Western Union stock-waterers
have been for years engaged in estab-
fishing.
2. 1t is everywhere held that
the government ought not to think of
buying the Western Union out, and
for the reason that it can build more
complete system of lines for snail
fraction of the Western Unions NOM
inal capital, On this head the eau
tious and accurate Journal of Com
merce says:
Its nominal capital is $50, 900. 900,
while all of its present property could
be replaced in better working order at
a cost not to exceed SIS, 900, 600 at the
outside, and probably at not over $l0,-
100000 or Sl2,000,000. 1t has issued
large blocks of stock, partly to buy up
opposing lines and partly by way Of
watering their own shares. 1t has
never paid much regard to the public
accommodation. Its rates have been
far too high, aud its treatment of its
customers is arbitrary and insolent to
the highest degree. 1t has fought off
or purchased, as far as it could, ali
competition, and it has refused every
reasonable concession to the demands
of the press and general public"
The Chicago Tribune points cut
that the British government, which
bought out English lines. paid much
more than they were worth IL adds:
"Tae demand for postal telegraphyi has
been immensely quickened by the
occurrence of the present strike. But
In insisting that the idea Of the post
Office be so Widened as to include
electric letters the people of this
country, taking counsel oil their own
good sense, as also OF their experience,
will hold to two points unwaveringly.
These are:
I, No purchase of existing lines,
which are bIoated with watered stock.
g. Genuine government civil service
to run the telegraph free OF all Office
grabbing"
3. 1t is generally seen that the gov
ernpeat, with moderate expendi
ture, can cOnsiruc. lines which will
cover the country more completely
slan the Western Union has ever
done, and that the postmasters at
small postofices can learn the art Of
telegrapby and thus unite their pres.
ent duties with those of telegraph
operators, greatly to the public cen
yenience t~t.
4. 1t is seen, also, that govern
ment telegraph will not supersede or
drive out private companies, but viii,
by q wholesome competition, compel
these to serve the public at fair rates
and puuctually
The New Haven Palladium recalls
the speech OF Senator Edmunds at the
last session in favor of a postal tele-
graph. We hope this eminent Sena
Tor will take up the subject as soon as
Congress reassembles. He will find,
urAess we are much mistaken. very
general support from both parties, and
full discussion OF the question will,
we believe, bring the next Congress to
the determination to establish at once
q general postal telegraph system. The
government, as the Palladium proper.
ly ssys,will not need to expend money
for right Of way, as it has the right "a
run wires over ell post routes, and that
is everywhere.
Hitherto good deal OF opposition
to the government undertaking tele.
graph work has arisen from the faaI
that in some way Congress would b.
induced to follow the British example
and buy out existing lines. But it il
now clear that the country would no
tor moment tolerate any suOhsChem,
as this. No one desires the govern
ment TO monopolize the telegraph
business. In that it is seen Their,
would be many dangers and inoon
venieUces. But the idea Of a posta
telegraph used IS an adjunct to tht
mail service gains favor everywhere
because it is not open to the just OBJ
jectiOns Of the other plan. The trul
use OF postal telegraph will be, a
we pointed out The other day, /,
effect q speedier letter delivery
Dispatches or letters seat b
postal telegraph will be put int
the general mail delivery at the pOin
Of destination; and thus, for tlihin
additional cost, letter writer vii
save in point of time, the whole dis
t.Nnce between the place where h
writes aud the place where his lette
is to be delivered. A letter for NeV
York written at Cincinnati, Chicago
New Orleans or San Francisco woul
reach New York the same DAY and b.
there delivered in the ordinary cours
Of the letter carriers work.
For that convenience the publ
will pay what it costs; aud lie govern
ment, which does not water lie stock
will charge no more than cost. But
great aud increasing mass OF bushes
and press correspondence which re
quires immediate delivery will still 2
over we'll managed private lines, Q
which under such a system Their
would probably be more and more.
How TO Remedy q Gross NegIee