The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-02-13
The Future Electric Telegraph.

AS we now understand it, electricity is
divided into two halves, or as those halves
are scientifically termed, positive and
negative. The earth is vast reservoir of
the negative half; but who can fathom
the extent in the universe of the other, or
positive condition of electricity? Yet we
know that when these halves meet, an i'm
pulse, shock, or flash is resultant. This
was shown years ago in the experiment
of the celebrated Leyden jar.
Utilizing this Impulse, shock or flash
by. simple machinery, so that it is made
to indicate letters and words by graduated
Interruptions or frequent breakings of the
circuit, constitutes the whole system of
modern telegraphy.
The positive portion of electricity, as
applied to modern telegraphy, or the
Morse system, is artificially made by GER
tain acids and minerals 1.-THE chemical ac-
| ton of acids on minerals producing it),
and this action is transmitted over the
wires of indefinite length. But this ac-
ton, ebullition or positive impulse would
amount to nothing-would be a mere
waste-were it not brought into contact
tive or opposite electrical condition.
But this connection with the earth
is made at the telegraphic stations,
and a decided impulse or shock results, in
terrupted as before stated, to indicate
characters and letters by the use of SIM
pie machinery adopted for the purpose.
This is the present system of telegraphy,
due credit for which has been already
awarded to Professor Morse. We have
to comprehend those simple formulas
as developed by modern telegraphy to
properly understand the idea suggested
by DIR. Loomis in his aerial telegraph
scheme.
AS in the present or Morse system, we
must have the negative orground current
to complete the circuit, so must DIR.
Loomis in his plan use the earth to COM
plete his circuit. But instead of genera
ting the positive form by means of acids
and metals, and transmitting it over wires
elevated few feet above the ground, DR..
Loomis proposes to 90 up above the
clouds and then find a continuous strata
or current naturally positive and univer-
sal (the same as the other opposite or
negative form is universal to the earth)
and by simple means bring these two mar
riageable forces together, complete the
circuit, make the impulse or shock inter-
rupted by mechanical devices to form sig
nails for letters and words the same as Ia
the Morse system, and without the inter.
vention of wires, from psint to point the
strata in the upper cloud current answer.
ing the purpose of wires.
The conception of DR.. Loomis is a grand
ore, and worth the profound attention Of
all his cOuntrymen. 1t is a far more feast
BILE plan, in view of our present knowl
edge of electricity as applied to telegraphy
than was the Morse system at its concep
ton.
In certain conditions of the atmosphere
as in thunder storms and the presence o.
the aurora borealis, this form of electricity
is brought so near to the earth that com
municatiOns have been sent from point tt
| point over our telegraphic wires withou
the aid of chemicals. Hence, above tn
| point affected by terrestrial disturbances
: it is philosophically inferable that elec
tricity in its positive condition is univer
sal. The earth, as we know, Throughout
its vast extent, possesses an invisible elec
2 trio force in negative form, and why no
; the corresponding positive form in tn
t vast depths of the ethereal universe? An
7 it is not essential that the condition shoul
take the form of currents correlative
air currents Spoken of by aeronauts) fo
the purpose of telegraphy, since the un
{ versal presence of electricity in this forI
: throughout the vast strata of either woul
suffice to carry out to success the idea COZ
ceived by DR.. Loomis.
e This system will revolutionize tel,
. graphy all over the world as soon as it
e practically developed and utilized, and s
inexpensive will it be in its daily oper
: ton that it will soon supersede the post
system of all countries without the aid
legislation to this etfect.-Dr. j. r. Haye