Year: 1872

Postmaster General CresWou ana sno


Postal Telegraph. 81


The interview of our Washington correspon-
dent with Postmaster General Creswell with
regard to the postal telegraph project. an ac-
count of which was published yesterday, opens
the whole question and shows the difficulties
to be encountered in carrying out this great
national undertaking. Mr.. CresweI talked
plainly, like an honest man. looking only to
the public interests, and not having the fear
of Mr.. Orton, the President of the Western
Union Telegraph Company or Mr.. Orton's
political influence with the administration
before his eyes. He showed the advan-
tages to both the public and the press
of the postal telegraph system. He
showed, too, in that moderate language
and polite way which Cabinet officer could
not we'll depart from, the Vaccinations and
selfish schemes Of the telegraph monopoly to
frustrate his purpose and the public interests
and to perpetuate its privileges. The commu-
nication we publish, too. in another part OF
the paper, on the subject of the Postal Tele-
graph bill, which was reported by the Senate
Committee at the last session of Congress,
shows in forcible manner the necessity and
advantages of the measure.


The conversation Of our correspondent with
the Postmaster General was induced by the
address of Mr.. Orton and the evidence of other
presidents Of telegraph companies to the Con-
gressi2psl. committee en Appropriations sV;.
pointed by Congress to investigate the subject
of the postal telegraph system, these inter
ested parties having made the most plausible
arguments possible in favor Of their monopoly
and against the recommendation Of Mr.. Cres-
well. It will be remembered that the Post
master General, in his late official report,
urged Congress to follow the successful
example Of foreign nations in establishing
q system of postal telegraphs in connection
with the Post Office Department This was
referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
The evidence alluded to before that committee
was taken with q view to furnish Congress
with all the facts for and against the project.
What the action of the committee or Congress
may be remains to be seen.


To Mr.. Orton and his fellow monopolists
must be accorded the merit Of perseverance
and skill in special pleading, however falla-
cious their arguments may be. At the same time
it is to be regretted that the Postmaster Gen.
eral had not had sufficient means and the time
to collect statistics and to present the matter
in the strongest light. Still he had sufficient
materials and sound principle to 60 upon
that might convince any unprejudiced and
disinterested Congressman that the postal tele-
graph would be great benefit to the coun-
try Without single dollar to expend in
the matter Mr.. Creswell says II have, with
the assistance Of single clerk, whom de-
tailed for the work, opened correspondence
with the telegraph authorities abroad, and, as
for as could, with the telegraph companies
at home" The results were presented IN his
late report. While he did n6t claim that all
the figures were precisely accurate, he never
.heless contended that the statements and
arguments were substantially correct and sufi-
Client to induce Congress to act upon the
matter. ''-'-. x-,e-- ~.-


The Postmaster General properly rebuked
the President 9f the Western Union Company
for criticizing his motives and for assuming to
dictate to the government. He showed, too,
that Mr.. Orton failed in his two hours ad-
dress to furnish any Of the facts really desired
with reference to the expenditures and actual
worth of the property Of his company. All
great monopolies in this country assume o
defiant attitude, and the President of the
Western Union seems to be confident in the
money power and political influence of his
company. He talks like an autocrat But
are the people of the United States of no con-
sequence in comparison with this monopoly?
Are the great interests of forty millions of
people and the progress Of this great Republic
in the improvements Of the age to be ignored
at the will and for the benefit of gigantic
monopoly


What is the real question at issue? Whether
the telegraph-which has become of as much
importance to the public as the Post Office,
and which is destined to become more impor-
tant-shall be under the control of company
Of individuals, and virtually under the Presi-
dent of that company, or shall be controlled
by the government We refer sometimes to
the power of the federal government,
secured by the constitution, to regulate
commerce among the States of the
Union, but no commerce is of such importance
or so universal as that involved in the opera
ton of the telegraph. It has become extern
sively the medium of communication from one
end Of the country to the other and is des-
tined to be the principal medium of the busi-
ness and thoughts of the whole community.
1t is absurd to suppose this mighty agent of
modern civilization shall continue to be in the
hands Of few individuals or one individual,
of those who can impose what charges they
please. Mr.. Orton says a million people in
the United States use the telegraph. Five or
ten millions, or the whole population, should
be able to use it. To restrain the employment
of it is to clip the wings Of intelligence and to