New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-10-15
The New Motive Power.

Professor Loomis, after declining dis
cusslon with me on the philosophy involved IN the
croposed engine Of Mr.. Sawyer, subsequently en-
tered the lists with Mr.. SAWYER himself, from which
he has abruptly but not unsracefuly wishdra~n-
lie ayallS himself Of Il " rumor thar Nr sawyer -
about 10 commence machine designed 10 prove 1he
value Of his New Motive Power, 10 cover ms retreat,
exhibiting discretion which, II u had occurred ear
her would, think. have saved the Professor some
sensations of uneaSnesS, II not OF positive chagfh
al a failure which must De OBVIOUS 10 every redder,
IN his effort 70 demO,lsh the theory OF his opponent
Since the battle is ended /, may BE- allowed to spec
tator to expatlae over the FIELD, luSt long enough TO
take an account Of the killed and wounded
Prot LOOMS began, unfortunately, ny stlgmalHhg
a. a perpetual notion a mechanical arrange
ment hlch he has subsequently, been brought suo-
stantially TO endorse. He cafae rSt to the admS-
sion that the machine might so a. very hlgh veocl-
iies and after Mr. SAVERS reply to HIM, he comes
20 a second admission tha. the theory seems To oe
all right provided the wheel IS lot too large lie ad'
mts hat The powers present. ana seems To be cdpd-
bic Of application as Mr.. Sawyer proposes, M a
wheel OF a small radius tie SAYS IN his second
article ON the subject that, "lf the radius of ihe
wheel is less than IHo feet, the preceding formula
ms own gives a centrifugal! force greater than fss
iGborng force (Which last Is the whole or aggregate
OF the force applied 10 rotate the wheeD and with
radius OF eight inches, the number proposed IN WI
Savers model the former the centrifugal iorce) Is
three times thelatfr (the whole force appledl There
may seem then TO be some hope thar MT saw
yer's plan may succeed III the small model al
though u Ndv fdll, Nntn UleN upoH idist
scale" Here there Is a complete Endorsement OF
the principle Of the machine by the distinguished Pro
fessor of Mathematics IN the University Of New
York-high authority And considering that he re-
CARDS himself IN making this admission, as Endorsing
the mechanical feasibility OF " Perpetual Notion
the concession can hardly be viewed otherwise
than as generous exposure Of his scientific reputa
ton III behalf scientific truth. The only clrcum-
stance which throws shade OF doubt upon this by
pothesis Is an expression contained IN the Professors
last short note, IN which he declines further discus
sion upon the subject In that he says, VIII leave
II TO experiment TO decide between the merits of
our two systems of philosophy Here is refer
to the existence ottwo distinct PHILOSOPHERS but
there Is also an apparent implication that the par
ties TO the dicuSsOn had differed III relation to Their
philosophy, or the prmcipe OF the machine. This
We dorot understand ohaye been the case. We hope
the learned Professor Is not inclined to wthdra" ms
deliberate admissions. Nopoints of philosophy had
been brought INTO the discussion, and the statements
above MADE we understand 5 a full admission OF all
.he philosophy of Mr.. Sawyer The only point de-
Oattd was regard to the efficacy of Mr.. Sawyers
proposed arrang ements." as the Professor himself
states 1t. We understand him 10 have admitted the
whole claim of Mr.. Sawyer, with simple reserva-
ton OF doubt TO the extent Of the efcaclous APP
phcablllty Of the new power. The discussion NTH
ero has related solely 10 the mechanics OF conSruc-
ton, or the mechanical mathematics regulating
the construction and degree of power OF the ma
chine Under the admissions quoted above from
Professor LOOMS, what becomes OF the accept
ed axiom of mechanical philosophy, that more
power can never be evolved by any mechanical ar
range ent than is applied We fully aware Of
the existence of two PHILOSOPHERS upon the subject
OF CuryllneaT notion and thar MI savers phlO-
sophy differs from that contained IN the books but
We understand Prof. LOOMS to be upon our side, or
he could certainly never have made the admissions
he has We understand hun TO yield the point, that
centrifugal force much power as the momen-
tum, that 1t distinct from the momentum, and that
II Is over and ABOVE or pins the momentum in other
words, that centrifugal force Is an independent law
of nature, not derived from the power applied to
the rotation, although Il IS only erht1t,d 0ueT
the condition Of rotation.
If We are mistaken in our understanding Of the
position of the Professor, We are advised that the
public generally, so far as they have taken any |
interest IN this discussion, are ldbOnng under the
mistake into which The admissions OF the Pro-
lessor have betrayed them. II We are mistaken IN
surprising that II was his deliberate intention to adj
mt and sanction the whole OF our philosophy, We
hope he viii consent to reconsider his determine |
ton 10 withdraw from the discussion, far as
TO point out the fallacy INTO which he supposes |
have fallen, by replying categoncally to the
questions | have appended, which imply the |
basis principles OF Mr. Sawyer'S philosophy. |
Should the Professor acquiesce our understanding
Of his position then address the same questions
10 the remaining science of the country. We do not
like to the term challenge, but we earnestly in
vite men who have knowledge upon these subjects, |
and who hold high positions IN the mechanical, !
mathematical or philosophical world to reply as
uncty ard ukequl sOCaily 10 these heterogeneous.
They certainly must knOD hOW they 20 be an
swefed, II they are competent 20 enter this discus
SION The only condition We impose is this, that |
# they IN the affirmative, they shall admit the
ltgtlUdc consequences OF tntIr principles anu tndt
II they answer IN the negative they shall abide by
the legitimate consequences OF their denial.
Does centrifugal force increase the square Of the
velocity rotating wheel
Does ever become greater than the whole laborng
lofcetbat IL, than the whole force applied ~
cause the rOtstl IIcl ldBg the element Of time
l. the centrifugal force tax any subtrac-
ton from the momentum Or from the power appedto cause
tie rotation
va double the power applied 70 a wheel revolving |
round fixed double the velocity the time,
ana viii dong evolve centrifugal
force
Do momentum and friction fully account for all the
power applied u cause rotation
c. Does centrifugal force right lines radiay from
the center 10 the circumference Of a rotating Wheel
Can force acting right lines radlaly from the
terto the circumference Of wheel have any effect
tard OF accelerate the rotation
suppose that, without being a Professor Of Mathe-
mates. one will be able 20 decide upon the subject /
afttr the machine rs seen moving. Men high IN the
scientific world are supposed to know some things |
be ore they have physical and undenlabs demon /
sTaton All that region Of the head above the eyes
would otherwise De useless.
STEPHLS PEARL ANDREWS.
N,c- York. O,fO6sr ,, 1851.