The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-17
POST OFFICE BALANCES.

We are indebted to the Postmaster General for
the following report Of the committee, which we
hasten to lay before the public. We understand that
the "Roman balance" has been adopted by the Post
master General as recommended by the committee,
with which the larger Offices in the United States
will be supplied: each will cost 81 so. The
smaller offices will be supplied in some cheaper
mode The terms of the contract are agreed upon,
and will be completed on Monday:
WAsHMeroN, May Is, l845.
The undersigned committee, to whom has been
referred by the honorable Postmaster General, the
models of letter balances, offered for the contract
under his advertisement to supply $4,000 for the
of the post offices of the United States have the
honor to report, that
In the examination of the 10l specimens submit
ted we are necessarily restricted to the consdera-
ton of them as samples" of the instruments to be
furnished. et
We find 80 "spring balances" some of which are
admirably constructed on that principles; but we
consider them liable to these objeciions LIST. The
want of the requisite sensibiity to fractional weight
over, or under the halfounce divisions of weight
Cd. The want of dstinctness in the ready indication
to the eye of the variations of weight the gradu
ated scale, and their consequent liability to error;
and 3d. Tin the most of them) the great want of cor
RICHNESS from friction.
We find % t'bent-lerer' Cor pendtii,im) balances
some of which are fine exhibitions of mechanical
genius They arc all Of them liable to these OBJ
jections: LIST. Too great oscillation vibration
| for ready use and 3D. where the attempt is made to
remedy that objection it is at the expense of
racy and distncness to the eye of the variations OF
weight.
We find 9 models of balances with connected OF
attached ,oeights of sixteen half They are
liable to these objections LIST. The liability to error
! from friction, or the change of position of the
weights in their use; and, I'd, the want Of sensib
ty for the ready indication to the eye of fractional
variations of weight
There are models of balances which require the
| use of fuids--mercury, spirits, and water-whicf
we find Objectionable account of their want Of
senstvencss and their liability to accident.
| We are of the opinion that the common balance
called the "Roman balance" is the best adapted to
| the particular purpose and service in view. Among
| the number of 'ssampes which we find constructed
on this principle, the one which we think the most
eligible, is that marked No. 90, rs. H. e. Davis,
having single sliding weight mot suspended) on
brass beam, turning on hardened points, the weight
falling into haleounce notches, with an open scale
Cor dsh) above. We suggest that the figures, to in
dictate the ounces and half-ounces, should be made
larger and palmer on the beam. OF the other cgi-
BILE models this principle the next, in estma-
tion is that marked No. 49, Fairbanks PATENT; Ia
which may be added No. 8, benjamin Morrison,
both of which unwieldy; and in the latter, the
adjusting weight at the END OF the beam Is obJec-
tiorable for the service in view.
| We also consider the common balance, called the
strip scales" with weights and open scales top
as eligible; and the best sample of these in
timation is that marked No. 7, ~. B. Hartwe
second, No. as, Livingston, Roggen q Coil and
third, No. 40, Farmer and Cushing;l though un
wieldy.
Respectfully submitted,
| c. X. GARDNER,
P. M. of Washington, d. G.
DAN. BRYAN,
| p. M. Alexandria, ID. G.
II. w. TILLEY,
p M. Georgetown, ID. G.
! JAS. SAXTON.
| Assistant Weigher and Meas.
| CIAS. G. PAGE,
| Examiner of Patents.