Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-02-20

We excel Europe in useful inventions
and oontrivsnces; but in regard to some
luxuries, which become necessaries the mo-
ment they are fairly introduced, London
and Paris still boast over New York We
hsye vet no cabs; and in q recent English
periodical mention is made Of another lux
ury, IS necessary TO the inhabitants of q
great city like this as cabs, or good water
or the Central Park, or street railroads.
domestic or district telegraph, namely,
such as connects all parts of London, and
enables q man at his business place to COM
municate with his home five or ten miles
distant, with certainty and despatch. By
the use Of this convenience an accident at
home can be almost instantly, and with
little trouble or expense, made known to
the members Of the family in distant parts
of the town; a gentleman detained from
dinner can send a message TO his wife,
which will keep her from waiting; if a
sudden rain storm comes up, one may by
telegraph put off an appointment.
Such telegraph has been in operation
for several years in London and its sub.
urbs. There are now about two hundred
and fifty miles Of wire belonging to it
spread over the housetops and through the
drains. These wires are connected with
eighly-three stations. One thousand mes
sages can be sent in an hour. The opera
tors are young women. The city and sub
urbs are divided into telegraphic districts
| a sufficient number Of messenger-boys are
employed and the result is so satisfactory
that if we were blessed with such an ar
rangement ia New York, a merchant in
Beaver street, or q broker in Wall street,
might send q message to his wife in the
/ Fifth avenue or Madison square, and re-
ceive 8 reply in from fifteen to thirty min
utes. Now, is there any reason why suoh
domestic system should not be prof.
tsbly extended to sll the principal suburbs
Of New York The first cost Of such lines
would not be great; the working expenses
would be very moderate and the patron
age would be very considerable from the
first, and would grow yearly. In the sum-
mer time, especially, when so great part
Of New York goes a little way out of town,
q cheap, rapid and perfectly sure subur-
ban telegraph system would be profitable
investment. An English journal ssys Of
the causes which increase the number Of
messages in London:
"a very fine morning, followed by con-
tinued rain from midday, is at once a
source Of business to the telegraph CON-
pany. Numberless appointments that had
been agreed on when the weather was fine,
have to be put off. Gentlemen who pur-
posed walking home from the station would
now prefer their brougham, or their water
proofs, or something TO protect them from
the westher. The friend who was coming
TO dine with them will select another day,
and this naturally leads to q second mes
sage from the disappointed host to his
faithful spouse A very wet morning
sometimes causes several extra messages
for the prudent will, at the last moment
sometimes change their rsiment in order
that they may have nothing on that will
spoil, and their keys, uniortunately, art
left in those garments which had been easI
off, so that message Is sent to have tht
keys forwarded by next train"
The same results would doubtless follow
here. But we doubt if the parallel coulC
1 occur here Of the following incident;
"An old lady had given permission fO
some wires to be placed on her house, wher
they were supported by pole. Afte
these had been in position some few weeks
the old lady waited upon the principal tel
egraph authority, and stated that she hsC
q complaint to make. The fact is, sir
she said, them telegraph messages won
allow me to get any sleep Of q night
= lays awake, a-tossing about and can't &c
a wink for the noise. At first, sir, didn'
mind it IS much, and things we're not g
! bad as they are nov but lately, sir, ther
; have been deal more messages. don
think either, sir, that you are aware Of o.
that's said along them wires; there's
much that hadn't ought to be; for 1 CO
assure you, sir, that very much that's sal
!. there-snd have to lay and listen to-n
8 respectable woman ought to hear. SoTv
come ct last to complain to you, sir, hoI
{ ing that it may be stopped
HThe gentleman to whom this singula
9 complaint was made was, Of course, swsI
= = that the nsise complained Of was the win
in the wires the messages of doubtfI
character were the emenations Of frui
full Imagination on the part Of the old lad!
he, however, paeifed her by stating tina
in future, young women of great respects
bility were to be substituted at the of6cI
for the young men who formerly Worke
the lines." IN. 7. Post