The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-31


ErtraetS from Documents Of $50 00o-l
Line from Washington to Baltimore constructed
difference Of Congress TO ats extension.
On his arrival in the United States, the fall of 1882
Professor Morse commenced operations to test the prac
teal utility of his conception of an Electro Magnetic ele
graph system was matured and considerable progress
made the preparations to test il but the want OF means
and other imperative duties prevented the completion OF
instrument until 1897 On the I'd OF September OF hat
year, successful experiment was made, OF which Pro
lessor Morse gave account IN the Journal OF Iom
MERGE Abiding to some prior account OF his invention,
he said
"Th circuit have completed of the length Of 200 fee
about one-thrd mile and Saturday the "a lnst
in presence of Professors Gale and Torrey OF THIS c
and Professor Danbeny OF the Oxford (EngsD oniyersy
and several gentlemen tried preliminary expert
rnen with the recorded the intelligence su-
eiently perfect establish the praccabliy OF inc plan,
and the superior plcity OF mode oil communication
any OF those proposed by the professors IN Europe
In March, 1887, the Secretary of the Treasury ad-
dressed circular to certan collectors OF the customs,
commanders of revenue cutters, and other persons IN
pursuance of resolution adopted by the House OF Repre-
sentatves, for the purpose OF obtaining information IN {e
gard he proprety OF establishing system OF tele-
graphs for the United States, of which was sent to
Professor Morse In September OF that year, the professor
replied describing his system, pointing out ITS superiority
ing:
f the perecng of this system of teegraphs (Which
may justly be called the American telegraph, since can
establish my claims to priority OF inventory shall be
thought OF public utility, and worthy the attention OF gov,
enment shall be ready make any sacrifice OF personal
service and of time to aid in its accomplishment
In another letter TO the Secretary dated November rs,
1887, he says
professor Gale of our University and Mr.. Alfred Vail,
of the Speedwe Iron Works, Morstown, New Jer-
sey, associated with in the scientific and me-
raj miles of wire, and happy announce TO you that
has, thus far, been complete AT distance OF
bW RI inches each plate the marking was as perfect on
the register in the first instance OF hall mile We have
the result and have doubt of its eiecting
a similar result any distance"
He also informed the Secretary that he had machinery
progress with view to exhibition at the approaching
session OF Congress.
After being completed the instrument was exhibited at
the University OF New York. with circuit OF ten miles,
with perfect 1t then exhibited IN the hall OF
the Franklin Institute in Philade phia, to committee
from the committee OF science and arts, who made re-
port upon its performance, dated February sth, 1898
The subcommittee say:
'sThe operation of the telegraph, exhibited us,
very satisfactory The power given to the magnet at the
dainty sufficient for the required mark the
signals. The communication of this was instanla-
short least that necessary in the ordinary teegraphs
1t appears the committee therefore, that the possibility
o oa, to this e pan Of
Morse is, far as the committee are informed entirely
all of which by giving different directions magnetic
needle and would therefore, require several ircn
which this telegraph would present, if successful all
other kinds heretofore used make worthy the patronage
The next exhibition of the instrument in a
of the Capitol, where Professor Morse and Mr. Vail for
several months explained its principles and results to
members of Congress and other visiters.
In the meantime, the Secretary OF the Treasury had
reported to the House OF Representatives the results of
his inquiries on the subject of teegraphs and his report
was referred to the Committee on Commerce.
The committee witnessed the operations of the ma
chine, and received full explanations from Professor
Morse orally and in writing In letter dated February
18TH 1885, he made to them the following proposition,
viz:
elf the government disposed this mode of tee-
graphic communication, by enabling to give it fair
trial for hundred miles, will engage to into
arrangements dispose of my rights the inventor and
ny Of individuals, previous offering the government
for such just and reasonable compensation shall be
mutually agreed upon"
| On the 9th of April, 1898, the committee made able
| report, of which the following are extracts, viz
In additional confirmation OF the merits of his proposed
system iteegaphs Professor Morse has exhibited in
(by coil ofmetallc wire measuring about ten miles
length, rendering the action equal to telegraph Of half
ofRepresentaves to the President of the United States and
the several heads of departments to members OF Congress
generally who have taken interest in the examination
and to numbesot scientific and practical individuals
from various parts OF the Union; and all concur it is be-
ieved, and without dissenting doubt, in admiration OF
the ingenious and scientific character OF the nventon and
poses e Of and in Of
great and invaluable practical Importance and usefulness
to the country, and ultimately to the whole world"
"The committee agree unanimously that it is worthy
the attention and OF the federal government
the full that may be necessary put the inyen
ton TO the most decisive test that can be desirable The
power of the invention if successful is extensive for
good evil that the alone should possess
the right TO control and regulate it,"
The committee recommended an appropriation of
1000 10 test the invention, and reported bill But
Notwithstanding the unanimous and decisive recommend
alton of the committee, the bill did not pass.
Professor Morse, in company with the Hon. f. 0 j.
Smith, who had now become interested the invention,
visited England and France 1898, whence he returned
in the spring of 1882 A patent granted in France
but refused in England, the ground that description
of his invention had been made public. The learned
men of both countries, however, highly pleased
with the invention, and he returned with other re-
ward than their testimonials and arrangement with
Russian councillor of State Paris visit Russia for the
purpose of establishing his telegraph there which, how
ever, the Emperor refused to sanction.
AT the session of 1923 the subject of telegraphs was
again brought before House of Representatives and
the Committee Commerce, the Both December
made another strong report in favor of Morses system
The following extracts are from that document--vz
professor Morse has submitted his telcgraphic plan to
the scrutiny of European criticism; and the Acad-
envy of Sciences of Parshe highest scent c tribunal in
the word-hailed it with enthusiasm and Appreciation.
when its operation exhibited and its prnci piles
planned by their distinguished perpetual secretary M.
Amgo.
at appears from documents produced by Professor
Morse that the thanks of several learned bodies in France
voted to him for his invention; and the large medal
of honor awarded to him by the Academy OF Industry
on the electric pan (among which Wheatstones, of
London Steinhes, of Munich, and Masson's, of Caen
had been submitted various times for the consideration
of the French government who appointed commission to
examine and report them all the head of which COM
placed the of the
graphs of France, (M. Foyo who in Professor
Morse, thus writes;
"r take true pleasure in confirming you in writing
that which have already had the honor
uoce-hat have prominently presented to Monsieur tue
Interior electromagnetic telegraph,