Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-07
From the New York Tribune.


MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH TO THE PA
CIFIC
proposition is before Congress to build line
Of Magnetic Telegraph to California, aud have it
completed within eighteen months. 1t teammates
from James Eddy, the manager, and considera-
BILE proprietor of the Maine Telegraph Co. He
aud his associates make the offer in question and
their known character is sufficient guarantee
that what they undertake they will accomplish.
Mr.. Eddy is gentleman who ranks as high as
faithful and energetic telegraph manager, as
any in the country. He has paid great attention
to the sub ect of telegraphs everywhere, and his
present proposition is based upon wide and full
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 metal tube, for additional protec-
ton to the wires. The sinking of the line some
three feet below the surface is considered the
only feasible method of preserving constant and
unbroken communication. The usual mode of
construction by posts and wires would be perpe-
tua temptation to the savages of the vast plains,
it would traverse to make depredations, as we'll
as to the exhausted emf grant 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 to subject it to constant, and
oftentimes long continued Interruptions. In fact,
considering the character of the country, sub
terranean line seems to be the only one that can
be established with any good prospect of answer
ing the purpose. We are thus satisfied that this
feature of the plan is wise, and necessary to en-
sure success to the undertaking. MIR. Eddy has
made minute investigations in regard to its prac-
tcability, and tested it to his entire satisfaction
The plan has been adopted on the continent of
Europe to a considerable extent, especially in
Prussia. where there is new in operation some
thing like fifteen hundred miles of subtewanean
telegraph
Mr.. Eddy proposes to establish stations on the
line at intervals of one hundred miles, with we'll
sheltered aud provided force of five men at each,
who, when not engaged on the line, will devote
themselves to agricultural pursuits and thus
gradually gather supplies for the emigrant, and
form a nucleus at the different points for trading
and general supply stations. The advantages of
such to the overland emigrant can hardly be
oyerstated. They will enable him to 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. 1t 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 ofinestimabe utility.
Mr. Eddys plan embraces another grent i'm
provement, which enables him to transmit mes
sages the whole length of the line without re-
writing This is done by the aid of the bate
ries at the way stations, which are to be as an
auxiliary force used to supply the electricity in
its long route, and thus act so as to accomplish
this purpose.
THE Baltimore papers preserve studied
silence in regard to Mr.. Alexander J. Marshalps
late publication. The Sun publishes the memo
rial in its advertising columns without a word of
comment. If the friends of the Baltimore COM
pany have no defence or justification to set up in
its behalf, that great corporation must stand dis
| graeed In the eyes ofthe world. If the compa-
ny are prepared TO admitthe correctness of Mr..
Marshafs version ofther conduct, they must be-
content to bear a crushing weight of public obi
UNI. The triumphant success of their great work
will not justify the means resorted to for its ae-
eomplishment, norcompensats them for the loss