Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-12-13


MESsRs. EDTTORS:-
During late visit to an eastern city, had an
opportunit, to see, in partially completed state,
the telegrsphc instrument, lately invented and
patented by a Mr. Hughes Of Kentucky.
From the explanations given, and from my own
examination and understanding of its principle
and mode of operating, am satisfied that 1t will
&c fonnd TO possess very decided superiority
over the House and Morse instruments, although
have no idea it will meet the extravagsnt
expectations which seem to be enter
tanned in regard to it, or that by its introduction
and use, the system of telegraphing is to be mn
mediafety revolutionized
Precisely how many words may be sent and
received through the new telegraphie instrument
tsity per minute per hour, is at present, mat
ter of very uncertain speculation, AS no full and
satisfactory tests have yet been msde. In this
regard, the extent ofits advantage over the House
instrument may be about equal to that of the lat
ter over the Morse. j do not think ID can be
greater. 1t takes one touch Of key on HE
Hughes, the same as on the House, to make or
indicate letter, s;na tke same number of touch
es, Of course, TO make 4 word and complete
sentcficc. A gsin of about one-hnlf however, to
the former may be the result of the perfect stead
mess of motion, whieh is enc of its characteris-
ties. In rapidity of transmission placing the
Morse instrument at 4, the House may be stated
at 6, while tire Hughes, it is probable, may APP
proxmate closely to g. The main reason why
the House has not been more sUccessfni IN eom-
petition with the Morse system, is the much
greater cost of the House machines, and the more
expensive because heavier) batteries, required
to work them. Economy of working has been
found to be on the side of the Morse patent. The
Hughes instrumesg, Though not so cheap as the
Morse, will cost hardly half so much as the House,
while in regard 10 the amount of battery, accor-
ding to experiments made, it will require much
less than either. Here is an essential gain, and
taken in connection with its greater speed, it
would seem to leave room for doubt, that in
course of time, it will supercede The instruments
now in use.
DO not sec any better chance for accuracy in
the one than by the others. Inaccuracies are
not necessary part Of any of the systems With
careful and intelligent operators ard managers,
a.. will be found reliable-without these, aare-
able, and about equally so.
do not know that l can give you a very dis
tinctidea of the particular character ofthe Hughes
instrument One point or principle is combi-
nation of permanent and temporary magnets
the poles of a horseshoe magnet being placed in
contact with the simiter poles of an electro-mag
net, SO that when the latter is influenced by an
electrical current, the effect is to repel and to pro-
duce by reputsion the same results as are produ-
ced by attraction on the instruments now in use
This, it is affirmed. constitutes security from
disturbance by atmospheric electrical currents
If so, it is an important desideratum. Though
of course the liability exists to fusion of the
wires of the electromagnetic of this machine, as
in the Morse relay.
The motion of the Hughes instrument like that
of the Morse Register, is produced by weight
the action revolution fthe wheels esmsnenaing
on the displacement of a key, by an electrical
agency, which starts at the same instant, all the
machines on the same circuit. BY similar agea-
cy, it is asserted, the motion o. instruments at all
stations except the one for which n message is
particularly designed, may tie stopped at the will
of the operator, and thus such stations thrown
out of the circuit of communication.
Perfect uniformity as to degree speed of mo-
ton is requisite among all the instruments on
the same circuit; or at least such uniformity, as
that the variation in no case, shall be over the
Doth part of the circle, containing the IS letters
of the Alphabet Should the variation be more
than the 9th part of the circle, :he same letter
struck on one instrument would not be indicated
on another less variation would be of no
practical account: and the instruments have the
faculty of adjusting themselves at the striking of
every letter The necessary uniformity of mo-
ton secured by vibratory motion regulator
which is quite ingenious, and seems admirably
fitted for the office.
1t is claimed thar messages may be received
and sent at the same time by the Hughes instru-
ment. / am not prepared to endorse this claim
nor some other claims, somewhat extravagant,
that are put forth in its favor. On the whole,
however, think it most decided improvement,
and have faith that it will work out many and
important benefits, in its sphere of operation for
the business world. S.