Is the Atlantic Telegraph Actually Complete?
It is still doubted by many whether the Atlantic cable is actually laid and perfect, as is reported. There is, we believe, no actual proof of the fact, beyond that in the hands of those who have a pecuniary interest in its being completed. It is said that the Queen’s message and the President’s reply have been transmitted. Have they? Who knows?
Mr. Field has notified the public that the line will not be opened for its use in much less than a month—that he also has resigned the directorship. Has he sold his stock, and thus disqualified himself from holding office? And will most of the stock have changed hands within the month? And will something have happened to the cable in the meantime to render it useless? Will the directors prove the fact of the cable being securely laid and in working order, by transmitting a message and returning an answer, if it is but a single sentence? If they are able to transmit one word they can do this. It would certainly be too bad if it should prove to be a Kidd salvage affair. Then all the gas which has been evolved, and all the powder burnt in the extreme jollification, would be a total loss; together with part of the City Hall, and Justice into the bargain. We certainly would advise those who have been lately canonized to show these surmises to be false before their honors grow dim.