Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-08-29
A Great Discovery in science.

at Washington by Professor Page. 1t will be re-
membered that during the last session Of Congress,
Mr. Benton presented memorial, setting forth that
DR.. Charles G. Page had discovered mode of
applying electromagnetic power to the purposes
of navigation and locomotion, and a general
substitute for the dangerous agency Of steam. He
also suggested that an appropriation OF $4,000 be
made, TO enable DR.. Page to test his discovery by
practical experiments. The proposition was ac-
ceded to, and the experiments have been made and
in the Senate, on Friday 10th inst, Mr.. Benton an
nounced that DR.. Page was ready to exhibit the
result of his labors, and illustrate them by remarks
mentioned as the most suitable place, and Satur-
day evening named as the time. Mr.. Benton then
submitted this interesting statement E1o3
The practical question which has occupied DIR.
Page is the question of cost-monied cost-of pro-
duccing this power Its capacity and applicability
had been previously established-its capacity un-
limited--its applicability convenient and SAFE
But the great question of cost remained, and that
has been deemed too great to admit Of its use in
the business operations of the country In Eu-
rope the cost has been held to be fifty times grea-
ter than the cost of producing steam. DIR. Page,
in written communication, now in my hands,
says that he produces this power at less cost than
steam power can be produced. His words are:
"Wih the same size of battery, and much less
cost am enabled now to exert a force of six hun
dred pounds, where, more than year ago, OBJ
tanned force Of only fifty pounds. With con-
sumption of two and half pounds of zinc, ] now
produce one horse power for twenty four hours -
This is nearly as cheap as the cheapest steam en-
CINE in the world, and much cheaper than steam
under some conditions"
Supposing DIR. Page 10 be right in this state
ment of the present cost of producing the electro
magnetic power, the hitherto insurperable objec-
tion to its use as propelng power is entirely OBJ
waited, and the cost actually converted into
sderaton in its favor. tbs now cheaper, and must
become more when the demand for zinc shall
occasion that TO be brought into market which is
now thrown away, as refuse of lead ore, in the
vast lead mines of Missouri and the Upper Missis-
sipp DR.. Page now gives eight cents pound
for the zinc which he uses; when large demand
is created for it, it may be furnished for much less
and at the same time open market for an article
now thrown away.
So much Tor comparative cost-the electro mag
netic power becoming an economy moneyed
economy-in lis production. But how many econ
omies will follow from its use DR.. Page emu
meraies them, putting at their head, justly, the
economy of human life, now so deplOTably wasted
by the dangers incident 10 the use Of steam. All
ger from conhagraton, will be avoided-a con-
summation devoutly TO be wished by every human
being. Other economies are thus stated In NAV
IGATIoN-saving room in the vessel, the engine and
battery requiring but little space, and the fuel
very compact compared TO coal--doing away with
chlmneYs, smoke stacks, and their cumbrous fix
tures-inslantaneous communicabity of the whole
power, SO important in changing course and avoid
ing collision-capacty 10 run blockade, making
no noise, and showing no light except at pleasure
simplicity in the construction Of vessels-dimin-
ution of insurance from absence Of danger from
explosions and coniagrations, and less danger from
collisions. In LAND CARRIAGE-no stoppages to
take in wood and water, and saving the expense
of all structures and attendance for such purposes,
charge of the battery being sufficient for twen-
ty-four hours, or moie-no danger to cars prop
ertY from hres--diminution of insurance from abb
sence OF danger from fire comfort TO passengers
in freedom from smoke, sparks, and ashes- safe
entrance into towns and cities from the absence OF
| all the annoyances and dangers which result from
| the use OF steam Such are some of the econo-
mics claimed by DR.. Page, of which, one alone,
that of human life, would give an immeasureable
pIeponderance 10 this power over that of steam il
/ the cost Of It's production should be made near
/ equal, much more if II should be made equal to
steam, as DR.. Page ayers it can be-"
Mr. b. said further, that he intended to move
another appropriation for DR.. Page, one sufficient
| 10 enable him'to work ship of war or merchan,
vessel by this new power, and said that if should
| be successful, it would be an advance upon the
use of steam power, equal to the advance of tina,
power over sails, oars, and wheels. The National
/ Intelligencer, in article upon the subject, no
| tees some ofthe experiments made by DIR. P. and
describes the results as truly startling. For ex
| ample, an immense bar of iron, weighing one
hundred and sixty pounds, was made to spring up
! by magnetic action and to move rapidly up and
dancing like feather an the air, without any visible
support. The force operating upon this bar he
stated TO average three hundred pounds through
ten inches of its motion. He said he could raise
this bar one hundred feet as readily as through
ten inches, and he expected no difficulty in doing
| the same with bar weighing one ton or a hun
| dred tons. He could make Pfle-drrer, or
| forge hammer, with great simplicity, ana conlo
make an engine with stroke OF SAX, twelve, TWEEN
| ty or any number OF feet. nEk...
| The most beautiful experiment we ever wit
nessed was the loud sound and brilliant fash from
the galvanic spark when produced near certain
point in his great magnet. Each snap was as
loud as pistol; and when he produced the same
spark at little distance from this point, it made
no noise at all. This recent discovery he stated
TO have practical bearing upon the construction
of an electro magnetic engine. Truly, great
power is here and where is the limit TO it
saHe then exhibited his engine of between -four
and five horse power, operated by battery con-
tanned within space three cubic feet 1t look :
ed very unlike magnetic machine. 1t was a
recprocating engine of two feet stroke, and the
whole engine aud battery weighed about one ton.
When the power was thrown on by the motion Of
a lever. the engine started off magnfcently ma
L,o orc hpnd rad and foureen strokes ner r1inute;