358 TELEGRAPHING IN THE UNITED STATES. 
intelligence, borne on the wings of lightning. The great building 
occupied by this company, the perfection of the mechanical arrangement, 
the system and number of employes, and the telegraphic talent concen" 
trated in this establishment, not only show the amount of business 
done, but make it worthy of a visit from any one who would know the 
wonderous march of intelligent mechanism. The company have in this 
city forty offices. Everything now seems to be done by telegram. It 
has become the great business of the day. It seems to go wherever light 
and water go. The system here is so perfect that it touches nearly every 
man's house within a circuit of twenty miles and is connected with the 
main office in the city. If a lady is sick she telegraphs to her husband's 
place of business, and requests him to come home and bring the doctor* 
If a gentleman concludes to go to Europe instead of going home he 
telegraphs for his carpet bag [to be at the steamer at noon. If a 
merchant invites a friend home to dine with him he telegraphs, that his 
wife may have a good dinner on the table, and good looks on her face. 
The' Chief of Police sits in his office and converses with his men in, 
every station within the whole circuit of thirty miles through which 
his district extends. He can move men from any section, concentrate 
them at any point, and quell a riot before the rioters have time to act* 
Wires are connected with all the markets— with the drovers' rendezvous 
— with all cities and villages of importance around New York for a 
distance of twenty miles. 
Not the least interesting part of this institution is that department 
assigned to women. It was early discovered that telegraphing was a 
work peculiarly adapted to women. They were invited to enter the 
field. They were instructed in the art. Rooms have been provided for 
those who wish to learn telegraphing, and, when instructed, employment 
and good pay are secured. The room adapted to female operators is 
cheerful and well carpeted and elegant. It is under the charge of a 
lady superintendent who has been in the American office five years, and 
has an annual salary of 950 dols. Most of the city business is done by 
female operators. Ladies are also employed on the line of railroads and 
in small country towns. They can do their sewing or reading, and 
pursue their studies, and yet attend to all the duties of their office, and 
at the same time earn a handsome salary. They make the best operators. 
Their ear is quick. They are more trustworthy than men, and more 
trustful. Some of them are elegantly dressed, all of them are in neat 
attire, none others being employed. Their influence is found to be 
good all along the lines. Men are more attentive and civil where lady 
operators are employed. 
Nearly a quarter of a century has passed since Prof. Morse gave to 
the world this wonderful invention. The march of the business has 
steadily increased, and the end is not yet. The telegraph wires quiver 
with intelligence over all the civilised world. Soon, it is hoped, the 
Atlantic cable will bind the two Continents in bonds of perpetual amity 
and concord. 
