Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-05-09
POSTAL TELEGRipIIY.

An important bill has been reported in the
House, providing for postal teecraphv. Ii
is an Interesting fact that the committees of
both Houses OF Congress, after patient and
iaborlous investigation, have arrived at the
same result, SO far as the appropriate plan
OF operation is concerned and this bill en-
bodies the same principles to be found in the
first ten sections Of the Senate bill rcnorir1
during the present Congress. y majority
OF the committee were opposed to the Uni
ted States either purchasing or constructing
and operating a telerraphic system On its
own account, and with greater unaninlitv
approve the contract 81 stem, which ia sim
ply in substance the application of the
principle Involved in carrying the mails,
to the transmission of the Geographic
business of the country. Tne objects in
view are: First, cheap telegraphy to the
Whole country at the earliest possible mo.
ment; second to avoid the extension of
Executive patronage, to secure the United
States against any responsibility and the
people against all esp,onlg, of any character
over Geographic business third, t. make
the system not only self-sustaininr. but
source OF revenue to the government. In
aiming at these objects, the bill makes all
postolhces In places where there is t-egraDb.
&c service postal telegraph offices, and
authorizes the Postmaster General tn dosi..
nate others as such from time to time. in his
discretion and as the wants Of the public
may require. The second section fixes the
maximum rates for messages of given
length for specified distances provides for
the method of delivering messages. and em-
powers the Postmaster euera to establish
rates for the business of the government and
some other important matters Of regulation.
The third section fixes the maximum rates
that may be charged newspapers and COM
mercial news associations. The fourth sc
lion provides for the preparation and sale OF
telegram stamps and stamped paper of suta.
Die denominations, similar to the postal
stamps and stamped envelopes used in the
postal system. 1t secures the use and
benefits OF the system 10 all the
people, declares kilograms privileged
''~'N'''NHNActti
laws Tor the protection Of the postal system
to the telegraphic system of the company
contracting under the act. 1t declares III.
Telegraph lines OF such company post routes.
and gives right of civil action TO sncb com-
pany against any person who NAV iniure n,
destroy Its property. The fifth section pro-
Vides for adapting the money order syslem
10 the Geographic system whenever nroc-
tcable, limiting the amount of money orders
10 SlOO The sixth section provides tbot
the government shall furnish IN nil most
oihces where the telegraph system IS en-.
pioyed Office room for employees, in,ru-
ments and batteries necessary for the ner-
lorinance OF the service provided for. and
grants the company the right to extend ito
lines TO such postoffces, and gives 70 anu
person injured by the neglect, carelesspess or
iailure OF the company to promptly and cor
rectly transmit any message the right of
civil action for damages sustained. The
seventh section provides for the considera
uon to be paid the company and the method
Oh settlement, which is the proceeds of the
Saie OF stamps and stamped paper, less three
cents Tor every message transmitted by ,be
company. 1t also provides for an arbitra-
tion between the United States and the com.
pany, the arbitrators being selected in the
usual way, and makes the award final.
Tho eighth section provides for letting tho
contract to the lowest bidder, after public
no.ice Tor sealed bids, accompanied by bonds
and approved security, with conditions sim
Lar 70 those now employed in letting con.