The Telegraphs' Bill pressed through Committee on Tuesday after much
discussion, but little real opposition. It is clear that a great majority of the House is in favour of the measure, and the only real objection is the one raised by Mr. Goschen, that Government is about to give the Telegraph Companies too high a price. Government is to pay twenty years' purchase, or a maximum sum of 6,000,0001.; and Mr. Goschen contends that with a dividend of only 15 per cent, this sum is too large, by, as he hinted, a million and a half. Mr. Gladstone agreed, but doubted if the bargain could be rescinded at this late period of the session ; and tried to reserve the right of the next Parliament to accept or reject it, a very difficult thing to do. We have no doubt Mr. Goschen is right, but as the House of Commons is too weak to take the property at a value to be fixed by arbitration, as Mr. Childers suggested, what is to be done, except pay what the seller asks, or give up the scheme ?
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