New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-02-03
MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH TO THE
PACIFIC,

Line OF Magnetc Telegraph 20 CaiuOTHai anu
have it completed wisbin eighteen months.
1t emanates from James Eddy, the manager,
and considerable proprietor Of the Maine
Telegraph Co He and his associates make
the offer in question, and their known charac-
ter is a sufficient guarantee that what they IN
dertske they will accomplish Mr.. Eddy is a
gentleman VINO ranks as high, as faithful, en-.
ergetic and intelligent Telegraph manager, as
any in the country. lie has paid great atten-
ton TO the subject of Telegrsphs everyEhere,
and his present proposition is based upon
wide andfull Investigation Of the whole subject.
His plan is novel, inasmuch as it proposes an
underground line, encased in gutta percha,
and this substance encased in a metal tube, for
additional protection to the wires. The sink
ing of the line some three feet below the sur
face is considered the only feasible method Of
preserving constant and unbroken communica-
ton. The usual mode of construction bypOsts
and wires would be perpetual temptation to
the savages Of the vast plains it would ira
verse TO make depredations, as well as to the
exhausted emigrant seeking fuel for his pot
The exposure, too of posts and wires TO the
storms Of the mountain ranges the line must
cross, far away from stations and settlements,
would be such as 70 subject it 10 constant, and
Oftentmes lOng.cOntinued interruptions. In
fact, considering the character Of the country
a subterrsnean line seems 10 be the only one
that can be established with any good prospect
Of answering the purpose. We are thus salts
fed that this feature Of the plan is wise, aud
necessary to insure success to the undertake
ing. Mr.. Eddy has made minute investigations
in regard TO ts practicability, and tested il to
his entire satisfaction. The plan has been
adopted on the continent of Europe TO con-
siderable extent, especially in Prussia, where
there is nown operation something like fifteen
hundred miles Of subterranean Telegraph
Mr. Eddy proposes to establish stations on
the line at intervals Of one hundred miles,
with wei sheltered and provided force of
five men at each, who, when not engaged on
the line. will devote themselves 20 agricultural
pursuits, and thus gradually gather supplies for
the emigrsnt, and form a nucleus at the differ
ent points for trading and general supply sta
tons The advantages of such to the over
land emigrsnt can hardly be oyerstated-
They will enable him 10 learn from day to day
the precise state Of his way, and the supplies
he must bring, or can find along at the various
points on his route IL will at once cheaper
his expenses, and render far less lonely and
hazardous his march over the plains In this
one point of view alone the Telegraph would
be of inestimableutility.
Mr. Eddy's plan embraces another great
improvement, which enables him 10 transmit
messages the whole length of the line without
rewriting. This is done by the aid of the bat
terios at the way stations, which are to be
az an auxiliary force used 10 supply the cleo
tricity in its long route, and thus act so as to
accomplish this purpose.
The immense advantages Of telegraph
line 10 California are too apparent to need
recapitulstioD. The more they are reelected
upon, the more important they seem. Not
only for private uses, but for those of the
Government, their value can hardly be com.
puted in dollars and cents 4 line Of tele-
graph would often save the expense of a spec
ial messenger 70 California, not unfrequently
sent at the expense Of thousands Of dollars,
aud in cases Of great emergency, the value of
Government orders 10 our military or naval
forces on the Pacific transmitted in single
day, might be greater than the cost Of the en-
tire line, while the aggregate value OF the
prodigious current of private messages also
sent diurnaLy over the wires, would often rival
In pee,nisry Importance the magnitude Of the
greatest interests of the Government In
point OF essential value 20 our citizens on the
PsclSe side, SIS vel as 10 those on our own,
who have relations with California aud Ore
son, il is impossible 10 oyer-estimAte the ad.
vAniages of telegraph line
The brief time within which Mr.. Eddy pro-
poses its construction is another feature of
commanding Importance Eighteen months
IL all that he requires to put the line in work
ing oFder
IL view Of these leading facts before Con-
sFess, i'woalS sppesr that toe only questions
TO ee asked further, before deciding promptly
&c lave the line forthwith constructed. are
hrs', are Mr. Eddy aud his associates proper and
competent persons 10 be entrusted with the
construction ofthe line and secondly are the
advantages sndeompensation they ask. reason
abe The first question. we have no doubt.
should he answered afirms,ively. The sec. |
end, as TO compensation, is one which mist
be solved by an examination of the cost. risks.
and prospects Of the undertaking Upon it.