The Proposition to Erect Competitive Governmental Telegraphs
Unfounded in Public Necessity 117
The Telegraph Bill proposed to be enacted by Congress without
National Example 118
REVIEW
OF
HON. E. B. WASHBURNE’S PAPER ON THE UNION OF THE TELEGRAPH AND POSTAL
SYSTEMS.
In the second session of the Fortieth Congress, 1868, a bill was
introduced and a paper submitted by Hon. E. B. Washburne, of Illinois,
relating to the “Union of the Telegraph and Postal Systems” in the
United States, which has naturally attracted public attention, and
especially of that large class of our citizens who are identified with
the Telegraph interests of the country. The paper bears upon its face
such evident marks of care, and the case is presented with so much
earnestness and apparent sincerity, notwithstanding the frequency of its
errors and the illusory character of its appeals to the practice and
experience of foreign nations, that it cannot fail to produce upon the
public mind an unjust impression that the usefulness of this great
invention is injuriously restricted, and its operations unfaithfully
managed, by the organizations having it in control.
To correct these erroneous impressions by calmly and respectfully
criticising the statements thus presented, and proving the honesty and
fidelity with which the Telegraph service is performed in this country,
is the object of this paper.