N.D. Cent. Code § 8-10-02: Order of transmission and delivery of telegraph messages

A carrier of messages by telegraph, if it is practicable, shall transmit every such message immediately upon its receipt and shall promptly deliver all messages received in any telegraph office within the state if it is in the power of the telegraph company to locate the party to whom the message is addressed. If this is not practicable and several messages accumulate upon the carrier's hands, the carrier shall transmit and deliver them in the following order:

1.Messages on public business from public agents of the United States or this state.

2.Messages intended in good faith for immediate publication in newspapers and not for any secret use.

3.Messages giving information relating to the sickness or death of any person.

4.Other messages in the order in which they were received.