It not having been favorably regarded by
Congress, however, I now suggest a modification of that privilege to
correct its glaring and costly abuses. I would recommend also the
appointment of a committee or commission to take into consideration the
best method (equitable to private corporations who have invested their
time and capital in the establishment of telegraph lines) of acquiring
the title to all telegraph lines now in operation, and of connecting
this service with the postal service of the nation. It is not probable
that this subject could receive the proper consideration during the
limits of a short session of Congress, but it may be initiated, so that
future action may be fair to the Government and to private parties
concerned.
There are but three lines of ocean steamers--namely, the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company, between San Francisco, China, and Japan, with
provision made for semimonthly service after October 1, 1873; the United
States and Brazil line, monthly; and the California, New Zealand, and
Australian line, monthly--plying between the United States and foreign
ports, and owned and operated under our flag. I earnestly recommend that
such liberal contracts for carrying the mails be authorized with these
lines as will insure their continuance.
Pages:
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403