New-York tribune., 1895-02-13
CABLE LAYING AND RAILROAD BUYING.

There are reasons why our Government may
seriously consider a proposition to establish
telegraphc communication by means of 4 cable
with the Hawaiian Islands, as Government
enterprise and TO make an Appropriation for
that purpose Whether they are sufficient to
overcome the main objection 10 the scheme
which is based upon constitutional considcra-
t,ops concerning the power OF the Government
TO engage in any business enterprise, does not
vet appear That the establishment or tele-
graphic communication with Honolulu would III
existing conditions be OF great advantage 10 'he
Government is evident. But 1t Is no less
clear that as an entering wedge Tor the fopu-
list and Socialist notions of Government control
and management OF telegraphs and railroads
the precedent would be fraught with danger
Moreover the suggestion Of "Ihe NeW-1ork
World" Is not without weight that just now
when the Treasury cannot meet It's oDllgations
except by borrowing money II Is not good
time to embark in the telegraph business at an
expense of 100000 for the purpose OF Initiating
the experiment "The World" which is nothing
II not emphatic, says it would be the widest
possible folly"
Still. there Is one thing that may be said In
its favor The appropriation OF Soo0OOo 10 es-
tablish telegraphic communication with coun-
try with which we are In such peculiar relations
as with Hawaii-relations requiring constant
and close attention and the continued presence
there of our naval vessels-might he justified on
the ground that an unusual exlgency Is present
ed for which no other provision can he made
and that in taking this action the Government
does not enter upon competition with any indi
ydual or corporate enterprise. 1t differs herein
very widely from the proposition of similar
nature so warmly urged by both "'rhe World
and THE New-York Herald for the purchase,
control and operation Of the Pacific Railroads
II il is "the widest possible folly for the Gov
ernmcnt TO go into the business Of laying iele-
graph cable at an expenditure OF SJOO,O0o. To
establish a communication for which there IS
an obvious need what shall be said or the
scheme favored hy our two contemporaries for
expending Sl0O,OOO,000 and more, "at time
when the Treasury cannot meet its obligations
except by borrowing money! in The purchase
of n railroad already built. 10 be managed and
operated in competition with half dozen or
more rival and competitive corporations:
II the argument offered against the Hawaiian
cable appropriation has any force. which we are
by no means disposed 10 deny II should have
much greater weight in the consideration Of the
Pacific Railroad debt question still pending in
Congress The question in the latter case is sim
ply whether the Government Will assent 10 a
reasonable compromise with an insolycnt cor
poration. and hold aloof under its constitutional
limitations from engaging in the business Of
transportation, or will throw away lis only
chance TO recover a debt In order TO venture
upon an unconstitutional experiment, the fnan-
clal results Of which cannot be other than disas-
trous. 1t would be singular conclusion If this
Congress should follow the suggestions Of The
World" in both cases; defeating the cable ap-
preparation for the reasons II offers, and re-
flsing to make terms with the Pacific Railroads
for reasons Numerically opposite. That Is, il
would be singular IL 1t were any other Congress.
But nothing is singular that this one does.