Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-03-14
FRIDAY. .......... MARCH II. 1890.
New York-A Government Telegraph.

kNOW va NoNtA NNNt>%
In view Of the fact that some persons in
Virginia who ought TO be better informed
suppose that the ablest buSness-m on in the
country are opposed to the establishment
of a Government telegraph and the further
fact that the New York Board Of Trade
and Transportation has declared in favor
of such telegraph. we feel as If it might
be allowable for us 10 follow the example
of some of our western exchanges. and say
that New York city endorses the DIS
patcltin Tho board named passed the fol-
lowing resolution day before yesterday:
Rcsolued, That this board reafiirms its
previous declaration favorlng the increased
usefulness of the Telegraph in connection
with our postal system, and although we
would prefer 20 see the Government own
and operate its own lines, yet we welcome
the proposition Of the present Postmaster
General as step in the right direction
and heartily common same TO the favor.
sble consideration Of Congress.
We have for years advocated the estab-
lishment Of Government telegraph, not
being able TO differcntiate governmental
postal system from Government tele-
graph system. On that point we concur
with the New York Board of Trade and
Transportation. But we hardly feel as If
we could "wolcome the proposition of the
present Postmaster General as a step in
the right direction" The leases proposed
by Mr. WASAMAKEB ore TO last ten years;
whereas the people Of the United States
want Government telegraph now. His
scheme would postpone too long the cs-
Enlistment of such telegraph. Indeed,
81 would operate TO create enemies to the
system. Every contractor for the trans
mission Of kilograms on account of the
Government, or as a part of the postal sys-
TEN, would be converted into an opponent
OF a Government telegraph. 1t is not in
human nature TO be above such tempta-
lions to play an unworthy part. It would
be better for the friends of Government
telegraph TO refuse to pass any telegraph
bill at the present session of Congress than
70 pass one providing for leases TO run ten
years. II would be exceedingly unwise
for Congress thus 10 make enemies for a
system which already has ten times as
many opponents as it ought to have.
Mr.. WANAMAKEB is not himself opposed
70 q Government telegraph system, we sup
pose, though we do not know. When he
appeared before the Committee on the
Post-Ofice and Post-Roads on the 18th of
last month, he declared most emphatically
that such service as he proposed is the
legitimate work of the post-Office. and
that the people are right in stoutly de-
mand:ng telegraph facilities at postal sta
lions. Mr.. WASAMAKER probably thought he
Ha, ha nd for a Gov
eminent telegraph by allowing the public
10 see how it would work for ten years I'M
der the contract system. His theory,
no doubt, is that though such
leases as he recommends might ope-
rate to create enemies TO tho new
system on the part of the contractors and
their dependents and friends, yet the ex-
perience of the people in receiving and
transmitting cheap kilograms would make
numerous friends for such system. OF
all the men in the United States who ought
20 agree TO no compromise in this matter
Mr.. WANAMAKER is the last one that ought
20 yield an inch of ground. seeing that the
name of the Postnaster-General who shall
accomplish the great reform under conside-
cation will inevitably be connected with it
for all coming time
The first telegraph line (between Wash
ington and BALTIMORE was constructed
under an act of Congress, and placed under
the superintendent of the Postmaster
General, who, says Mr.. WANAMAKEg
adopted regulations to bring it into con-
slant service az a means of transmitting
intelligence accessible TO all. He also
prescribed the rates" There is prece-
dent which ought to satisfy all sticklers as
60 what the Constitution says. That pre-
oedent was set long before the war between
the Statos. and when there were the most
profound and learned constitutional law
Sers in Congress-