Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-01-08


experience of England ought to have
buried them forever beyond the posi-
bility of disinterment.
1. 1t is the governments business to
transmit intelligence, and that busi-
ness includes the use of the telegraph
and all other appropriate means OF
transmission.
2. If rates remained the same, an
increase of profit instead Of loss was
to be expected by reason Of the econo-
mics that would result from a united
telegraph in combination with the
postal service. The people could keep
rates up and realize large profit, or
put rates down, thereby increasing the
usefulness of the telegraph and taking
their profit in the form of more and
better service for the same money.
They did the latter, and, as matter
of fact, they have saved, at the lowest
estimate. $15O,OOO,00O in twenty-five
years. The telegraphing they have
done would have cost them at least
$150,0O0,000 more than it has cost, in
Guiding expenses of operation, extern
sions, repairs, interest on the capital,
water purchase and all.
g. It stands to reason that servant
appointed and paid by himself, anu
whose avowed interest and effort are TO
line his own pocket with the utmost
possible "giltiness" consistent with his
personal safety-it stands to reason
that such a servant will not conduct
your telegraph or any other business
of yours as we'll as you can do 1t your
self or have it done by your own
agent. AS matter of fact, the public
telegraph service turned out to be
vastly superior to the private telegraph
service according to the universal YER
dict Of the English people.
4. It was reasonable to expect that
the government rates would be lower,
because the government would work at
cost and would, moreover, secure an
absolute economy relatively to private
corporations in the conduct of the tel
egraph. In fact, the rates dropped at
once one-third to two-thirds, average
one-half, and afterward the ordinary
inland rate was again reduced almost
one-half.
5. The use of the telegraph doubled
the first year.
6. The government service has adopt
ed new inventions and shown pro-
gressive spirit in respect to employees
as well as the service of the public.
Z. There has been no complaint of
violation of secrecy.
8. Nor the least suspicion of partisan
use.
9. The government can be sued and
is sued. Claims against the govern
ment are tried judicially the same as
other claims.
10. Interference with private inter-
ests to accomplish public good is not
arbitrary and unjust; it is the very es-
sence of justice and good government.
The private interests of gamblers, sa-
loonkeepers, opium sellers, shipowners
housebuilders, powder makers, bone
grinders, grain elevator men, etc., pri
vate interests both good and bad, are
interfered with for the sake of the pub
lie welfare. Telegraph interests form
no exception. The companies had al
ready received large returns on their
investment and would receive full COM
pensation for their capital when the
public took their plant-more than full
compensation as it turned out.
The companies themselves knew
enough to understand that all their
pleas from one to nine were nonsense
mere scarecrows to brighten ignorant
timidity 1t is possible they might
have put some faith in the tenth point.
Men who have long enjoyed the priv
ilege of putting their hands in their
neighbors' pockets may really regard
an interference with their time hon
ored custom as arbitrary and unjust.
Kings and emperors have not been
noted for recognizing the wisdom and
justice of democracy. No matter how
arbitrary and unjust despotism may
be, it will hurl the whole of ethics at
any one who brings suit of eject
ment against it.
The merchants, the press and the
people generally were not deceived by
the cutlery raised by the companies and
a few conservatives who, not being able
to distinguish between proper and i'm
proper extension of government func-
lions, were fearful of any enlarge
ment of public activities. The people
knew, without reading the refutations
of learned men, that the companies
pleas from one to ten were lies and
sophistries; that their only real OBJ
lection was the loss of an opportunity
for unjust profits.
In 1868, as we have said, the cham
bers of commerce petitioned the COM
mons, charging the existing telegraph
system with extortion, error and made
quacy. Mr.. Scudamore's reports and
the committees investigations gave
overwhelming evidence of thu truth
of the charge and of the advantages of
a national system. The press urged a
change. The liberal leader, Mr.. Glad
stone, then as always anxious for the
public veal and for that alone, took