The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-10-01
MACHINE TELEGRAPHY--C CRAIG
SYSTEM.

at this stage, in this series of edito-
rails on this subject, the query is prob
ably %springing up in the mind of the
reader: If the things be SO, how does
it happen that the twin monopolies
have not obtained possession of the
patent for this wonderful Craig ma
chine, if it was possible to do so? There
are several reasons for this, to fully
answer this natural and almost inev-
liable inquiry in the mind of the
thoughtful person. One of these rea-
sons we will simply touch at this mo
ment. These monopolies, as now oper
ating in perfect unison Constituting
one great monopoly, do not wish to
employ facilities that leave a large
margin beyond the demands of their
business, It is a curious condition. It
is the fact. We shall more thoroughly
explain and illustrate this matter here
after.
We have already noted the instance
in which Mr.. Orion, then president of
the Western Union, sneered at the du
pick system; while he characterized
the quadruplex as the dream of fools
His expression of contempt was not to
be wholly attributed to ignorance on
his part. The practical value of work
ing on an artificial current must even
then have dawned upon him. But he
was a true repres ontative of his COM
pany, in not desiring the introduction
of methods that would conspicuously
cheaper the cost Of telegraphing. As
it is now, The Monopoly does not desire
to have it known that the cheapness
aud speed of the Craig method ia a
demonstrated fact-now in the domain
of indisputable experiment ard test.
Why7 1t may breed competition. 1t
certainly will, when generally known.
greatly emphasize the popular demand
for a vastly lower rate of charges for
telegraphiog than now obtains and op
presses. It will in many ways, hcwsO-
ever made known, greatly promote the
cause of a genuine Government Postal
Telegraph. This is M explanation
There are others, to be stated and
dwelt upon hereafter.
When the Mackey Company first be
gan extensive operation. before it had
combined with the Western Union.
when it was seeking to impose a rental
system upon our Government, it's rep
resentatives before the Congressional
Committees on the PostCfice made q
great proclamation about the wonder
full inventions it had in control and
practical operation in Washington.
The Hous9 Committee in 1884 was in
vited to attend at some "exhibitions''
of their new devices for rapid tele-
graphing There was a grand trum
petlng Of the inventions that Mackev
& Co had purchased and we're going
to place in the p0stofic s of the nation
If the nation would be Sd kind and
wise as to make John Mackey Outside
postmaster General Mr.. Sumner. then
q OF Congress. managed to get
= we" OF h Instruments. 40 much
he 90 oy Mackey lobby though
won+ -" invited to attend. He then
IT, oeiore the committee of tho
House, Wh'ch had been 40 deeplV me
pressed by the marvellous w6rkinnso
OF the machines-Ghe comr;+ton IS
to give a fellow Congressman on aIS
fence, under the circumstances0-snd
asserted and showed that the ma
vels" had no future-that they would
one and all be relPgated to the garrett
within six months. AS a matter of
historical fact, they went into perma-
nent retirement at the close of the SEES,
sion, during which they were on such
noisy and seductive dress parade before
the Postothce committees of the Forty
eighth Congress
OF such is not the Craig machine,
which in its enduring facilities ia ali
that we have claimed for it-and more,
l-San Francisco Star