New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-20
ALBAN Y.
LIGHTNING WARFARE.

ALLY-IMPORTANT SUITS, ETC.
ALBANY, Jan. 10. The records in newspa
pers courts and historical societies. show that from the
earliest movements for practical application in the
wonderful science of teegraphng there have been con-
tinuous controversy and litigation, Of which the end Is
not vet The early and continued controversy be-
tween Prof better known Dr') Charles T. jackson
OF Boston, and Prof Morse 10 their respective claims
Of originating Geographic machinery IN THIS country
their intercourse the subject commencing on board
the packet suly when they returning from Europe
In 2-never got into the courts though ITS ELECTS are
vet seen whenever either writes the subject ind
Gated in a report Just printed By Prof Morse concerning
teegraphc matters IN the last International Exposition
at Paris.
This controversy is remarkable, both sides for the
way ignores the early and discoveries OF Prof.
Joseph Henry long known connection with Princeton
College and with the management OF the Smithsonian
Institution, but formerly OF the Albany Academy where
his researches and advances in science established MS
reputation 80 years and where he hrst developed
sufficient magnetic power for rendering possible
telegraphng long lnes-all previous experience OF
the scientific world having eliminated in disappont-
men when Prof Barlow, in 1925, frankly gave that YER
dict in England as the result Of great efforts made by
himself others combine and utilize the electro
magnetic knowledge then existing among philosophers
aud scientists OF all nations
The failure of the intellectual giants Of the Old World
in this aimportant branch Of electric research slim
the New World; and the old printed reports Of the
Albany Academy show that after multtudinous ex-
peIiments between and 1884, Prof Henry discovered
the great law which rendered electromagnetic tele-
graphing practicable on long lines The magnitude Of
this contribution science aud art IL world wide
under aud oceans, AZ well as oYerland-already
nearly cOextensive with human civilization. The Re
gents OF the Smithsonian Institution including Chief
Justice fancy spokesman, reported on these facts,
after mature investigation about 10 years ago. and the
scientific world in the righteous verdict that
places Joseph Henry alongside Of Benjamin Franklin IN
the Pantheon OF electric science Like true philoso-
phcr-like Newton, Kepler, Calico, Coperncus. and
other great men, whose discoveries will be remembered
while mankind exists-Prof Henry sought neither pat
ent profit nOOrety for his great discOyery-neyer
assanC others wrangng for himself about the repu
taton should follow his aborsleayng his country
and the scientific world to judge nnpartiay OF his
services The omission of ms name from Prof Morse's
report about the International Exposition on electro
magnetic improvements resembles the play Of Hamlet
with the part OF Hamlet omitted.
The Teegraphc contests in the courts, (which have
continued fo q years. and Of which yet continue
commenced with the efforts Of the Morse paentecs I'm.
Guiding Amos KeudaD, 10 abrogate what is known in
the courts and otherwise throughout the Union as 1.-THE
O'Ricy contract" the contract between them and him.
made in 1885, before the telegraph extended beyond Bal
tmore where the short Governmental experimental line
ended That contract gave OIey and his associates
the right extend the telegraph from the seaboard
through vast interior regions, they did by reserylng
for the paenees onefourth OF The stock or other in
ercst in lines he and his associates organized be-
tween the Atlantic the lakes and the Mssssippl-then
almost the boundary Of Western settlement. George
Dawson Of The Albany Journal ex.Judge Samuel L. Sell
den, cx.LieutGov. Henry r. Selden. and other we'll
known men, know all these things, ashey aided OReDy
in hs early Efforts and prosecuted with him by the
Morse patcuees This warfare extended through VIDE re
gons but Judge Kane OF Pennsylvania Judge Nelson Of
NewYork and Judge Macleau Of OHIO sus aimed the valid
ty OF the contract aud the good faith with which ORey
and associates fulfilled it, notwithstanding the efforts
to rcpudiac I'm the hope s court records shoW that
higher price for OF the patent might be got as the
lines organized by ORey and his associates gave early
and strong impulse to the telegraph system. This
warfare lasted just five years-from December, 1916,
to December. IS5I-when one OF the Morse paentees,
Smith had been empowered to crush out OR. If he
piled with invitation from OR TO settle the matter
amcably which was done by an agreement III Decem-
or wrong during aud bitter eouteta contest In
which the public and the pres. took active interest, a,
shown DJ the mes OF me lkllI NJ aAI oteI P!i's Vi
those days Thus ended the litigation between the pa
cntees aud Or except that he reserved the rGht 10
pcrscyere IN his appeal to the United states supreme
Court against the monstrous mOuopJHlug claims, $50
the papers then styled them OF Prof. Morse and also
against decision under IL rendered by Judge Monroe OF
Kentucky IN which State or District OR used the Co
Gettysburg) instead OF the sO-caled Morse plan. Mr.
! Chase the present ChefJusce Of the United states.
I
strange decision In the Kentucky District Court Inc
importance OF this appeal may be JUDGED Dy Tue iacs
gave no damages costs against r., while ltcompeled
the Morse patontees TO strike out OF their amended
mad temporarily claimed the right TO monopoly OF the
! "priucipe" Of Electric Telegraphy-which wholesale
mOnopolizng claims had been previously secuted by
Gov. Sedrn in memorable opinion, which thus found
confederation in the Judgment OF tue supreme Court
articles Of the newspaper press IN all parts OF the
Union, denourciug those mOnopolLnS cIaius oi the
patentecs, show degree Of unity ana indignation
rarely equaled and surpassed IN any uupoltcal
controversy As curious portion OF the history OF those
days, concerning the most extraordinary enlePri9e neh
known the world specimens Of these journalistic com
mens were collected and printed aud are among hund-
rod voIues of Te,egraphic documents ana papers
| New-York Historical Society So much FOR one or the
principal editorial controversies with the Morse patenees
saying nothing OF cost Of patents, management OF Iee
But one Of the remarkable features of these Tee
graphic Is the fact that connected with the settle
inent made by the patentees with OR. In Dec. 1851
warfare instantly broke out among the plentces them
seves-Morse Vail. aud Kendall on one SIDE and Francis
o. j. smith the other-which has continued In various
several Of mem beIug VET I'm full best after nineteen
years from the date when they settled with ORiely.
And these not all the lawsuits on these subjects
| Some others are pending which may last through
of these suits lies between patenee smith and Ezra
Cornell involving large amount, one OF the deenses in
this brief glance at Telegraphc history and war
fare would be very incomplete without reference
made still more remarkable lawsult-Or suits for
others Will fulOw-ln which paeutee Smith is employed
as counsel with Tracy and Olmstead of NewYOrk This
case consists present OF resistance made BY Mahlon
VAIL NcwIOrk merchant resident at Paiuield, n. j.,
against th@ efforts of David IL Craig date agent of the
Associated Press getting clear under the Bankrupt
law Crags debt TO Vail is IN judgment, and said 10
remarkable case has already occupied several months
before referee IN Westchester County. Nearly
many OF which, affecting his property and It's present
status, include his transactions and emolumenIs
extent to which he may have proftcd by his
early and exclusive OF news from all quarters
| kstS