The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-13
A Government Monopoly.

Mr.. JOHN WANAMAKER Is good Judge OK
the drawing power OF marking down the
goods upon the bargain counter. In his re-
port as Postmaster General he tries to
make q big advertisement for the Republi-
can party and to attract customers by Offer
ing one-cent postage. three-cent telephone
messages. and ten-cent telegraph messages.
The Republicans published buncombe
declaration for one-cent postage In their
platform Of 1888. Their stump speakers and
their newspapers paid no attention to that
part Of the platform. Nobody took it seri-
ously. II was recognized as mere sur
plusage. Nobody was complaining Of two
cent postage. Everybody knew that for the
present. at least. one-cent postage could
only DO had at the expense Of large def.
cheney in the Post Office Department Mr..
WANABIAKRB confesses that this Is still
tho case. But he strives to set before
the people what he would call IN at
tractive Offering by adding to one-cent
postage the three-cent telephone message
and the ten-cent telegraph message. He
DISCUSSES the fact that the consolidation OF
the telephone and telegraph service with
tho postal service would result in a Govern
ment monopoly Of these two means Of COM
power and patronage Of the Administration.
The true inwardness OF tho Republican
programme is evident. By hitching on the
telephone and the telegraph to the postal
service. and promising cheaper rates In all
three services. the Republicans hope to
bride the people to forget the immense en-
largement OF tho interfering activity Of the
Administration In the business Of the people
which would be the result OF the changes so
speciously proposed.
When the Government goes into the tele-
graph and telephone business. corporations
now existing for the purpose OF carrying on
those branches Of industry must retire.
They must be bought out at fair price or
confscated. To carry on those businesses
at the rates which Mr.. WANAMAKEB jaunti-
ly advertises will result in an enormous def
icit. What Is possible in compact coun-
try like England Is not possible In this
country. The vast distances preclude the
financial success OF Mr.. WANAMAKER's plan.
The telegraph Is not necessary for tho IA
miliar use of great part Of tho public,
and never will be. AS a bid for votes Mr..
WANAMAKERs scheme Of cheap telegraphy
is nonsense. II carried into effect. that
scheme would diminish the cost OF the SER
Nce to persons perfectly able to bear the OK
pensc OF tclegraphing ut the present rates.
II would greatly diminish the expenses Of
TIE Bun. for instance. and OF all the great
customers Of the telegraph companies. But
the great majority Of tho people have only
occasional uso for the telegraph. 1t is not
the expense that Ia in the way. Their pur-
suits and their affairs do not require It.
Whatever may be the sum which the Re-
publicans propose to talio from the people
In taxes and give back In cheapened tele-
phone and telegraph rates, the question OF
expense Ii not worth considering In compar-
ison With the imperative reasons which ex-
list against intrustlng to any Administration
the control Of the telegraph and telephone.
The Boston Natlonalists have been quick to
sec how tho WANAAIAKER proposal chimes
With their projects. and they have thanked
him accordingly. We are aware that many
Republicans and even some Democrats ia
vor 1t: but It IL nntlonalism. socialism. and
nothing else. Its adoption would so in
crease the number OF otiiceholders that tho
Administration In power could DO dislodged
only with extreme difficulty. It would put
the Administration. 1t would make the Ad-
Iulu1oVrbuou uaStor VI tne pouttcul pianS
and secrets Of tho opposition. It would re-
suit In corruption and scandals.
Three-cent telephone messages and ten
cent telegraph messages would not bs an
equivalent for what the American people
would lose by the establishment Of Gov
eminent telephone and telegraph.
The New British Military Route to Asia.
A party Of marines belonging to the Brit
ish squadron In the Pacific has. In the week,