The Government's Bid for a National Telegraph

The bill introduced by Representative Hubbell of California for the establishment of a government postal telegraph system directs the Postmaster General to proceed at once to construct lines and provides for the issue of bonds not exceeding $20,000,000, redeemable in twenty years, bearing interest at 4 percent. It provides also that the actual work of building the lines be begun as early as practicable, and as nearly as possible simultaneously at the following places: Portland, Maine; Seattle, Washington Territory; Boston, Portland, Oregon, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D. C.; Richmond, Va.; Newburn, N. C.; Charleston, S. C.; Savannah, Ga.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Mobile, New Orleans, Galveston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Omaha, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Salt Lake City, Yreka, Eureka, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego; and shall continue along routes selected by the Postmaster General until all the post offices of the country south of the northernmost boundary of Washington territory, having a population of 500 or more, have been connected. It establishes the rate to be paid for the transmission of ordinary messages at 10 cents each for ten words or less.