The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

I8S5-9] TRUE INTERESTS OF RAILWAY COMPANIES. 285
that largest of corporations the State, the feeling is
unduly favourable to the companies ; the more so as
the companies can address ex parte statements to the
public, while even the highest fixed officers in any
Government department are bound by official etiquette
to silence.
Further indication as to the true interest of railway
companies in relation to the Post Office will be found
be remembered
in the following passage : It may
that I had, when chairman of the Brighton Railway
Company,
induced the directors to offer to the Post
Office the almost gratuitous conveyance of an additional
mail by every train between London and
Brighton not already retained for postal service, and
that this offer had been in part accepted. In the
beginning of 1859, however,
I learnt that the com-
pany, then under the chairmanship of Mr. Schuster,
demanded payment for this additional service. Sincerely
believing the demand to be contrary to the
company's true interests, I wrote to the chairman in
earnest deprecation.
letter :
I give the essential part of my
"I5th February, 1859.
"MY DEAR SlR,
* * * . * * *
" I trust, however, that you will not lightly disturb the existing
arrangements. You are mistaken as to the motives which induced
the board, at the time I had the honour of being their chairman,
to undertake the conveyance of the mails between London and
Brighton at the present rates of charge. Our motive was not so
much the benefit of the Post Office as that of the railway company ;
and the result of fourteen years' experience clearly establishes, I
think, the policy of the measure.
" Beyond the limits of the London District there is no town in
England which has equal postal facilities with Brighton; and the
board will, I think, on reconsideration, agree with me in opinion
that no inconsiderable part of the ^20,000 a year obtained from the
sale of season tickets is attributable to this cause.