Mr. SHERMAN. We considered that matter. I have no doubt on that point myself, though I do not know that lean say for the committee that they came to a definite conclusion in regard to it. For myself, I have no doubt that the Government of the U.S. have a right to erect wires, or authorize them to be erected by a company, over and through the post roads in the ifferent States. The mere fag. ra our own dispatches, in which we get riori all cases, dispatches are also to e transmi for private individuals, would not affect that rate it is a right that, if right. At an disi puted in any ‘tate, or by any person, may be made the subJect of litiation, and may PI'OP' erfy be left with the judicial tribunals. he 4th section provides that CongrpBB I may grant the same rights to any other company, and may alter, amend, or repeal this act. I would at any time. on the re nest of any company, be willing to extend t 10 same privileges to them. This will undoubtedly enable this company and all companies that may come in hereafter to compete with existing monopolies to have the advantage, at any rate, of going over the public domain, and of the facilities granted by the 1st section, and it will give them whatever right Congress can confer to go through the di erent States, and especially across tenavigable streams of the U.S. Noprivate company can now cross the Ohio river or other naVigable streams without the consent of Congress. That has been settled not only by our own practice, but by the decisions of the courts, particularly if the crossing might possibly obstruct the navigation of the river. 'It was deemed important, therefore, that this right should be 'ven to the company in all cases to cross navigable streams in such a way as not to in'ure the navigation. I have now stated the whole bill. I only re gret for myself that it does not contain more which would enable a more complete campe tition with existiu companies. The PostMGenl in a etter which is lying on the table has furnished a vast amount of material, statistics, 850., as to the cost of telegraphs and as to the price at which messages in be conveyed, inclosing communications from all the existing telegraph companies; but as they do not affect the provisions of this bill we have not deemed it necessar to allude to them. I will state further that the PostMGenl, to whom this bill has been submitted, cordially approves it, althou hhe is opposed to the U.S. now embarking in a general system of building tele raph wires.