The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-03-04
JUDGE CLARK'S VIEWS.
MOVE ON THEIR LINES.
Throw Open the Telegraph and
Telephone to the Masses.

line coming NatlOH, PuOiiSuou az
Ruskln, Tennessee
There is no more oppressive restric-
ton resting on the masses than the ex-
orbitant charges on the use OF the tele-
graph and telephone in this country,
which practically debar the use of these
great ,conveniences by the masses and
reserve their advantages to the few and
to pile up more millions for million
aires. In practically every country ex-
cept ours the telegraph and telephone
are a part Of the postal service, and
they are in use at nearly every post
office, even off railroad lines. The av-
erage rate for kilograms in Europe is 10
cents for 20 words, and In Italy as low
as 5 cents for 20 words. In England,
when the government took over the tel
egraph and reduced the rate to IL cents
foz 20 words, the number OF messages
promptly increased 30 times in number.
In Switzerland, the government rental
for telephone, originally SO per year,
has been reduced to S. per year and
even in semi-civilized Paraguay the
government rental for a telephone is
only $12 per annum. Compare these
notes for kilograms and telephones with
those the freest people in the world ESQ
called) permit the gigantic telegraph
and telephone corporations to extort
from us.
The telegraph in this country orlgi-
nally QS4447) belonged to the post
office, and when from mistaken notions
of economy congress permitted it to 60
into private hands, Henry Clay, the
great whig leader, and Cave johnson,
the democratic postmaster general, earn
estly protested and prophetlcally fore
told the evils that have followed. Re-
peated attempts to restore these better
ments to the post-ofice have been made,
supported by leading men of all parties,
including five post-masters general. No
less than Is congressional committees
have from time to time reported upon
bills restoring the telegraph to the post
Office; of these, 16 have reported in
favor of it, one report was non-commit-
tai and one slightly adverse. The tele-
graph monopoly, which finds its revenue
better than a gold mine, has always
fought for delay and by its powerful
lobby at Washington, It's lavish issue OF
franks to congressman and other public
officials and its influence over the daily
press, to which it furnishes telegraphic
news, has always, so far, prevented
roll call on the measure. They will
continue to do so as long as possible.
There can be little doubt that if the
measure could come to vote public
opinion would force a result in the
Interest of the people.
Now, a suggestion, as most OF the
state legislatures are in session. Seeing
the great difficulty in getting postal
telegraph and telephone bill through
congress, owing to the dilatory and OBJ
structlve tactics of the Western Union
lobby, and while waiting the passage by
congress of postoffice- telegraph and
telephone act which shall give us uni
form rate of Cor 10y cents between any
two points in the union, let each state
whose legislature represents the people
and not the corporations, pass acts pro-
viding Tor maximum rate for kilograms
of 10 cents tor 10 words tor message
between any points in its own borders,
and maximum annual rental for tele-
phones of $12 at residence and $18 at
an Office or store.
This will ~ give the people immedi-
ate relief, as the larger part of telegraph
ing is done within state limits, and it
will incidentally cause reduction In
interstate rates.
(2) By accustoming the people to
lower rates and legislative control of
telegraph and telephones 1t will hasten
public ownership.
(3) It will reduce the exorbitant prot
its and salaries of these overgrown cor
porations and disable them from spend
ing so much money in lobbying and
franks to prevent postof6ce ownership
Of telegraphs and telephones.
The power of state Legislatures to reg
ulate the charges Of telegraphs and tel
ephones within their own limits is well
settled by the decisions of the United
States supreme court.
In Kansas, the Morrill, bill is pending
to fix telegraph rates at 10 cents for 10
body words between all points in that
state. In North Carolina bills are pend
ing in each house to fix the telegraph
rate at Is cents for 10 words between
any two points in the state, and tele-
phone rentals at SIP at residence and
$18 at an office or store. Similar bills
may be pending, or may have passed,
In other States. They should be intro
duced everywhere, in every state and