Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1874 — Telegraphy. [ARTICLE]

Telegraphy.

The annual report of the Western I nion Telegraph Company for the year ending June 30th, 1873, which was published during the early part of the late panic, attracted less attention than it would have otherwise received, less than its importance demanded. Although this company is a private corporation, managed and controlled by a few large stockholders solely as a money-making affair, yet there are few matters entrusted to the General Government of greater general interest. There is necessarily entrusted to it the most important correspondence, both mercantile and financial. A large banking business is transacted by’ its bureau for the transfer of money. Prices in all the principal marts of the country for all articlesjof merchandise are regulated by the daily reports from its commercial bureau. with the Associated Press, it collects, collates, tfhd furnishes to the daily papers all over the country their telegraphic, dispatches, the most important news they publish, the first and often the only part of the paper read. It has become the educator of the people, and its influences is.daily extending, until it has become essential to the success of many departments of business. It has over 150,000 miles of wire stretchjng along every railway and reaching every important place. Its’annual receipts are nearly $10,000,000, a larger amount than the Postoffice Department received ten years ago. A corporation wielding such immense power is not a private company; but one in which every citizen has a direct and personal interest. The average rate of messages has been reduced in six years frdin sl.lO to 61 cents and the business has been doubled. This great reduction-4n rates has been followed by a slight increase in the net income of the company, -k. The average rate is still much higher than in any other country, and so high as to prevent, .the, use of the telegraph by any’ except the rich and those compelled to use it. The report says that heretofore the competition from rival lines has been the most potent cause in operation for compelling the company to reduce its rates; but that it is now relieved from all fear * ' ~ Y T. ~ ""'. ■ —— ■

from this service, as it has recently purchased nearlv all the opposition lines, and at the present’rates “ it is impossible for any competing company to realize profits, and all are believed to be operating at a loss, and the time is not, therefore, when the company will be without a substantial competitor.” From this .frank and public-statement it appears that a change will now be made in its policy, and tb it the public cannot expect further reduction in rates. Abroad the telegraph is connected with the postoffice, and the people use it freely as they do the mails. We do not believe, however, that our Government should interfere in private matters, nor that the power of the Executive should lie enlarged; but the duty of transmitting correspondence was devolved upon Congress by the founders of our Republic, and, as it has wisely undertaken this business, and performed it to the satisfaction of the people, there is every reason why it should now adopt this, the latest, improvement for its rapid transmission. It ie o f ten said that corporations can perform any business cheaper than the Government,; Admitting the general truth of this proposition, it yet does not apply to the telegraph, for the agencies now 'employed by the Post-offlee Department for receiving and delivering letters would be used for the telegraphic letter. The present clerks could perform all the office business, thus greatly reducing the expenses, if the Postmaster-Gen-eral was authorized to contract for the transmission of .telegrams, as lie now contracts tor+iretransmission of the mails, at rates fixed by Congress. A bill lor the purpose of connectingthe telegraph with the Post-office Department authorizing the Postmaster-General to contract for the transmission of telegrams, vvas -reported by committees of the Senate and House of Representatives at the last Congress, This proposition, we presume, will come up for action the ensuing winter and we trust will become a law. Tlie rates fixed by the bill are nearly 50 per cent, below present charges, while the length of the telegram is 80 per cent, greater. Night telegrams -will be transmitted at a still greater reduction. The charge of a telegraphic letter of 25 words sent by night 1,500 miles or less will be only 25 cents. Such .low rates will make the telegraph a public bleskihg’Tirihg ffwltliin the reach of all, and enable the press to establish new and independent news associations. We shall refer again to this subject.— The Independent. Don’t Tamper with a Cold.—Perhaps in -thtmvhofe 'Category of diseases to -which humanity is susceptible, the cough is most neglected in its early stage. A simple cough is generally regarded as a temporary alfiiction— ' unpleasant and nothing more; but to those who have paid dearly for experience, it is the signal for attack for the most fearful of all diseases—Consumption. A cough will lead to consumption—if not checked —so sure as the rivulet leads to the river, yet it is an easy enemy to thwart, if met by the proper remedy. Allen’s Lung Balsam is the great cough remedy of the age, and it hasearned its reputation by merit alone. Sold by all good druggists. LAToor" Taffiily in Green Bay Had to mortgage their six dogs, recently, to get a barrel of flour. The case is pitiable.