Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-04-27
THEORY CONCERNING EARTHQUAKES.

THEORY CONCERNING EARTHQUAKES.
n ~ writer in recent California papers
attempts to account for the recent disas-
trous earthquake in that state as resulting
from electrical causes. There is consider.
able plausability 10 the theory, and If ex-
perimeutal tests demonstrate its correct
ness, the phenomenon may be brought
entirely under control and rendered innoc-
uous. An article in the Chronicle by this
writer, assumes that river Of electricity
is forever flowing over and throug h the
earth's belt from north to south, and
therefore, the earth becomes q powerful
and constant magnet, attracting all smaller
bodies toward its surface or point Of cleo
trical activity. The sun is positive mag
net. The earth is negatively charged.
by reason Of the present position Of the
earth's orbit 10 the heavens, the suns su-
perior attractive energy is upon the south
ern half Of the globe; hence, all the deep
seas are mainly "piled up" about the South
Pole. The attraction of the positive sun
upon the negative electricity of the earth
causes perpetual flow from the Arctic to
the Antarctic circle. The electricity of
the earth is endcavoriny to reach the sun !;
but, instead Of doing so, it obeys the law
of equalization. In other words, it as.
sumes the same positive condition as the
sun, and is repealed and driven back toward
tho north. Upon being repelled, it be.
comes a positive; and as it cannot return
over or through the negatively charged
earth, it rises to high region above the
clouds, and performs the circuit above the
insulating atmosphere. It must be borne
in mind that dry atmosphere is a non con.
ductor of electricity, aud were it not for
clouds and vapors floating in between the
negatively charged earth aud positive cur.
rent above, VIC should never see the phe-
nomena Of lightning or other electrical
disturbances. Vapors and clouds are good
conductors, and when they appear in the
sky readily furnish means Of equalization
between the two great electrical streams.
The slopes Of the Sierra Ncvadas arc made
up of a series Of mineral belts, in all of
which iron predominates. Iron is the
best known conductor of electricity, and
therefore, during our long, dry Summers,
our mineral veins become vast reservoirs of
pent-up negative electricity. There is no
moisture or clouds in the air, and no
chance for equalization with the air cur.
rent; and it is, therefore not surprising
that the shock should be terrific when at
length the imprisoned forces rush together.
Clouds are the serial brid ges upon which
the lightuings and storms find ready pas.
sage to the trembling planet. Careful
observers have long since noted the signif.
icant fact that California tremblors nearly
always occur in Autumn, about tho time
the rainy season sets in, and after pre-
tracted dry Summer. Sometimes they
occur about the mmencement of the late
Spring rains, especially if tho weather has
been clear during portion of the months
of February and March but they rarely
occur in either mid Summer or mid Win
ter.
This is, in brief, the theory upon which
a hope of relief is based, 1t is supported
by the demonstrated fact that in parts of
the State traversed by railroads the COM
motion has decreased or entirely disap.
pearcd, which is readily accounted for on
the supposition that the iron, rails afford
in some degree, a medium of equalization
of electrical forces. It is suggested that
if means Of communication are afforded
between the positive and negative forces,
that are equilibrium will be maintained.
and earthquakes rs result from this
cause placed beyond the range of posibil-
ity. So sanguine are the advocates of
this theory that an effort is being made
to induce the Chamber of Commerce to
authorize thorough examination of the
subject. u
THE DIFFERENCE.-In the sterling old
times when the Democratic party guided
the ship of State, oil primary, county and
State conventions were attended and con.
trolled solely by the independent voters,