Spain, with a population of over 16,000,000 souls, and possessing the
advantages of forming the pathway between France and her African
possessions, as well as between Portugal and the rest of Europe,
transmits a less number of telegrams per annum than the Dominion of
Canada, with her 3,000,000 inhabitants. That this insignificant amount
of business for so great a country is owing to government control is
evident from the following royal decree, issued in conformity with the
request of the Minister of State, who says: “The petitions presented to
your Majesty from different towns, companies, and private individuals
are so numerous and repeated, praying that the advantages of telegraphic
communications should be granted to them, that the minister who now
humbly addresses your Majesty has lamented more than once that the care
of the government has not extended that satisfaction to legitimate
wishes so deserving of attention.”