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282 AIETXORS OF SOCJAL REFORM.
regularly and economically may the work of transmission and
delivery be performed in general.
Furthermore, great advantages will ark from an intimate
connection between the telegraphs and the Post Office. In the
country districts the telegraph office can readily be phed in
the Poet offioe, and the postmaster can, for a moderate remuneration,
be induced to aot as telegraph clerk, just as small
railway stations sene as telegraphic offices at present, the
station-master or clerk being tho operator. A great number
of new offices could thus bo opened, wit,hout any considerable
expenses for rent or attcndancc. The Governmeut, in short,
could profitably extend its wires where any on0 of several
competing companies would not be induced to go.
In all the larger towns the cost of special delivery may
perhaps bo removed by throwing tho telegrams into the
ordinary postal delivery. It is understood that a scheme for
the junction of the telegraphic and postal system has been
elaborated by the authorities of the Post Office, partly on the
model of the Relgitbn service ; and it hss been asserted that
the scheme would comprehend some sort of periodical deliveriee.
In the greet business centres, at least, very frequent
periodical deliveries could be made. For the services of a
npecisl nlcssenger nn extra charge might be imposed. Prepayment
of all ordinary charges by stamps would greatly faci1itat.e
the whole of the nrrongoments; nnd it has been suggested
that where thero is no telegraph office, a prepaid telegram
might be deposited in tho nearest post office or letter box,
and forwarded by the mail service to the nearest telegraph
ofiice, as is the practice in Belgium. It is evident that the
number of tele,ol.ams will be increased, as the facility for their
dispatch, by the united system of posts and telegraphs, is
greaker.
A low and perhaps uniform tariff would complete the
advantapa of such a system. It is supposed, indeed, that
it would not be prudent at first to attempt a lower uniform
rate than one shilling for 20 words ; but it is dit3cult to see
how 8 unifm rate of this amount can be enforced> when the
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