Year: 1859

Electric communication with the New


world is an object not likely to be abandoned.


A year or two since it was joined with aerial


travelling and ,self-supporting combustion in
the sneers Of the practical I; now it is at least
a possibility. A message has been sent to
the New World aud an answer received


within two hours and half. Although for
the moment disappointment has produced a


kind of stupor, yet it cannot be doubted that


We shall soon have an attempt to renew the
enterprise. ~
After stating the advantages of the Trim
|ity Bay and Vaentis line, and the route,
advantages, and disadvantages OF the propo
|sed line, by way Of the African coast, the
Canaries, Cape dc Verdes and Brazil the
article continues:


1t is for the government to decide now far
it will assist these schemes. Our own opin-
ion is soon stated. We wish telegrapbc
communication all success, and shall be glad


to see the earth encircled By wires, and the


furthest lands united by universal scheme


of instantaneous correspondence. But the


Inauguration OF this new era we would leave


entirely to the action Of private enterprise,


based on the principles of free trade. If


cable is wanted across sea or strait, let any


company, English, French or American,


have full liberty to lay it, and TO receive the


profits that arise, no national mistrust should


impede the action of capital invested in such


schemes of cosmopolitan usefulness. But to


great system of guarantees and subsidies


We decidedly object. There is, indeed, one
exception. The telegraph to India is a


matter Of imperial policy. That vast and
distant province is inhabited by millions Of
suspicious and suspected Asiatics, and at any


moment political disturbances may demand
the attention of the home government. Not
far from 10O,o European troops are now
employed within its limits, a host Of civil
servants are continually requiring advice or
orders, there are continually Governors and
Generals in doubt or danger. In such a
case, and on grounds merely of public policy,
the government may, without passing beyond
its proper functions guarantee system Of
But. telegraphs to and
from everywhere cut not to be made at re-
sponsibility Of government. If sub-oceauic
communication be feasible, companies for the
Of lines will fiud shareholders
without the assistance of the state. If the
interested are not confident
enough in the success OF scheme to take !
up the shares il had better be abandoned II
Government Interference viii only create
monopolies and hinder the development Of
the science. Once give a company TIE ex
elusive right to telegraph the news between
two countries, guaranteeing them & good
and we may bid farewell to
progress in rapiditv, accuracy and cheapness.
We trust that neither of the two schemes for
with the New World will
receive further help from government. The |!
Atlantic company has already had State as
sistance il tho use of several ships Of war,
the value of perhaps clO0,O00. 1t has also
a large guaranteed income from the govern /
ments on both sides Of the Atlantic so long !
as its line is in working order This may
be defended on the ground Of the originality
and risk of the undertaking; but no guar
tee upon the capita! Of the company should ;
be granted. The best kind Of cable, the best
paving out machinery,and the proper method
of using it, will soon be determined, and
then the construction o. line will be merely !
a matter Of ordinary calculation. There
will be no more reason for the state to guar
antee its capital than when a Lancashire
builds new mill. By the
policy Of subsidies and guarantees We shall
only raise the public expenditure, while We
change the growth of telegraphic enterprise
from health and vigor into state Of hot
b ouse feebleness.