The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-01
UNITED STATES.
RAILROAD SIGNALS.

! Every invention which will serve to lessen the
daily disastrous collisions upon our railroads will be
hailed as common boon to the travelling commu.
nifty. The heart-rendng slaughter by railroads, of
unsuspecting hundreds every year. is aggravated by
the reflection that some simple contrivance some in
genlous device, by any one Of multitudnous in
ventors, would save the recording Of these dreful
events. No one can doubt that many hundreds Of
our citizens if they had been only set to work. could
have constructed a teltale for engineers, which
would have saved the train on the New Haven road
from the fatal leap at Norwalk. Each day new VIC
Tins are added to this modern hecatomb outnumber
ing, by many, the beasts slaughtered in accordance
with the rituals Of old. The public voice Is for
remedy; and with reason we might ask, rs there no
balm in Gilead' which may serve as prevention
Of these frightful railroad murders? The best ar.
rangement which we have yet seen is an invention
by Dr. Clayton, of Virginia, now on exhibition at the
Crystal Palace, and to which we would particularly
call the attention Of railroad directors The
invention consists of set of signals at the top
polls, say three or more, placed on the same con-
necton, (Which is Of wire two miles in length with
lever at each end The one at the end first entered
by the train is an upright one that, the engine
passes over it, it is pressed forward far enough for
PocS, "
which means all three Of the signals set, discern
able at any distance, at the same time elevating
rule pointed lever at the other end for depressing
the signals. The train runs the two miles with the
signals up in advance and then in passing the lever
at the other end Of the connection it is pressed down
by the engine which depresses all the signals set
ting them down behind the train. They are so ar
ranged that it will be impossible for the two trains
to meet in collision. Again, signal is up behind
the train always, to guard it from being run on from
behind thus preventing conclusions. For safety at
bridges it is only necessary to set the levers at the
draw and every time the draw rises the signals will
60 up mile each way, and when the bridge lowers
the signals fall This is simple invention, and if it
proves salutary one it is the duty of every railroad
company to adopt it.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.
We, and probably thousands of others, never
dreamed that there was any improvement to be
made in common corn broom. But who shall set
limits to Yankee ingenuity? Who can say thus
far thou shalt go and no farther in making inven-
tions, while with us this characteristic faculty is
coeval with birth, while the child dances in baby
jumper, rocks by machinery or whttles model be
fore he learns to walk. If Solomon had lived in the
nineteenth century Ae never would have said there
is nothing new under the sun, but on the contrary
he would have Joined in the common chorus
'Every day brings something neS."
Moore's patent clasp broom is something that is
considered Especially by its inventory cheaper,
more durable, more elastic, and better every way
than the common style broom. It's peculiar advan-
tage is that any one owning handle and clasp may
at any time have a new broom, which will sweep as
clean as the most approved article. The invention
is very simple one, and consists of merely ham
die, o clasp, and ring Upon the end OF the ham
die is an iron clasp, set with teeth which opens and
receives the corn and shuts its teeth firmly into it,
holding it until the good housewife makes it dis
gorge to receive within its jaws new and
better mouthful When the corn is fastened in
the clasp, iron ring is slid down over
the broom, making it firm or elastic at pleasure.
This broom is more durable because it does not cut
the corn in the present way. 1t is more elastic,
because the iron spring is moveabe, and therefore it
does not wear and tear the carpets as the common
broom. 1t is more economical, because one handle
and clasp will last long time and the cost of re-
filling is very trifng. 1t is especially intended
for farmers, who raise their own broom corn 1t is
true that very little expense is incurred in being the
possessor of the common broom; but II this IS su
rerior and cheaper, tie farmers ought to know
However trfing the saving may be, yet ECONOMY
is the way to wealth." and ga little leak will sink
great ship" as poor Richard ays. Our country
friends will examine with great deal of interest
this new broom.