The Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1852-1872, 1853-03-19
From Ner York Tribune.
Magnetic Telegraph to the Pacific.

| From NeiC ORR Tf0unf.
Magnetic Telegraph to the Pacific.
proposition is before Congress to build a
| line of Magnetic Telegraph to California, and
have it completed within eighteen months 1t
emanates from James Eddy, the manager, and a
considerable proprietor of the Maine Telegraph
Co. He and his associates make the offer in
question: and their known character is a sufficient
guarantee that what they undertake they will
accomplish Mr. Eddy is a gentleman who
ranks as high as a faithful, energetic and intel
ligent Telegraph manager, as any i'll the coun-
try. He has paid great attention TO the subject
of Telegraphs everywhere, and his present pro-
position is based upon IA wide ana full nvesti-
CATION of the whole subject. His plan is novel,
inasmuch as it proposes an underground line,
encased in gutta percha, and this substance
closed in metal tube. for additional protection
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 communications Tine usual mode of
construction by posts and wires wonld be per-
petual temptation to the savages OF the vast plains
it would traverse to make depredations, as well
as to the exhausted emgrant 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 settle
ments, would be such as to subject it to constant
and oftentimes long-continued Interruptions. In
FACT considering the character OF the country,
lbterranean line seems TO be the only one that
can be esta blished with any good prospect of an
swerng the purpose. We satisfied that this
feature OF the plan is wise, and necessary to in
sure success to the undertaking. MIR. Eddy has
made minute investigations III regard to Its prac-
ticabity, and tested it to his entire satisfaction.
The plan has been adopted on the continent of
of Europe to considerable extent, especially in
Prussia, where there is now in operation some
thing like fifteen hundred miles Of subterranean
Telegraph.
MIR. Eddy proposes to establish stations on the
line at intervals of one hundred miles, with
well sheltered and 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 adj
vantages OF such to the overland EN- grant can
hardly be overstated. 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 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 of nestimable utility.
MIR. Eddys plan embraces another great i'm
provement, which enables him to transmit mes
sages the whole length of the line without re-
ries at the way stations. which to be used
as an auxiliary force to supply the electricity in
It's long route, aud SO act to accomplish this
purpose.
The immense advantages of telegraph line
to California are too apparent 10 need recapitu-
lation. The more they reflected upon, the
more important they appear. Not only for pri-
vate uses, but for those of the Government,
their value can hardly be computed in dollars
and cents A line of telegraph would often save
the expense of IA special messenger to California,
| not untrequently sent at the expense OF thou
sands OF dollars, and III cases OF great emergen-
cy. the value of Government orders to our mill
tary naval forces the Pacific transmitted
i'll single day, mi ght be greater than the cost
of the entire line, while the aggregate value of
the prodigious current of private messages also
sent dlurnally over the wires, would often rival
i'll pecInary importance the magnitude of the
greatest interests of the Government. In point
of essential value to citizens on the Pacific
side, as well as to those on our own, who have
relations with California and Oregon it is i'm
possible to over-eslimate the advantages OF
Geographic line.
The brief time within which Mr. Eddy pro-
poses its construction is another feature OF COM
handing importance. Eighteen months is all
that he requires to put the line in working
order
In view of these leading facts before Congress,
it would appe that the only questions to be
asked before deciding to have the line forthwith
constructed, are: First, are Mr.. Eddy and his
associates proper and competent persons to be
entrusted with demonstration of the line; and
secondly, are the advantages and compensa-
ton they ask reasonable! The first question
we have no doubt, should be answered affirma-
| lively. The second, as to compensation is one
which must be solved by examination OF the
cost, risks and prospects of the undertaking.
Upon it. of course have opinion to offer.
But it is matter which it cannot be difficult
to determi by persons seriously addressing
themselves to the task. Our desire is to
the line put under way, and from what we
know Of MIR. Eddy and the gentlemen associa-
ted with him, we feel great confidence that the
work could not be entrusted to better hands.
We trust the present session of Congress will
not close without the necessary vitality being
Infused into his project by that body, to secure
its accomplishment.
THE JAPAN ExPsDIrIoS.-The Boston Post
publishes the following extract from a letter re-
ceived from a gentleman who has just returned