The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-10
ELECTRIC REGISTR ALTON.

The usual method of counting and record
ing votes in legislative bodies Is always SLOW
and often uncertain To overcome these de-
fects, an electric apparatus has been devised
that at once collects, records, and adds up
the votes, and presents the result vlslbly BE-
fore the entire assembly. Upon the wall at
each side of the Speakers desk IS a large
frame resembling q hotel annunclator, each
containing as many numbers rs there are
members. One frame gives the "ayes, the
other the "nays" On each members desk Is
a nush. knob-one for the affirmative and one
for the negative. Each is upon an electric
circuit, and on touching them the number of
the desk is d splayed upon the annunclator..
Rv this device each member transmits his
vote instantly, and the collective votes can be
seen and counted by the whole assembly
The adding up and recording are performed
at the same time, and by similar device.
Behind each figure in the annunciator Tor In
some other convenient place) is set OF small
boxes charged with wooden or metallic balls.
Each OF these is connected with MEMBER
desk. and the same electric Impulse that
moves the annunciator releases one OF these,
and it falls into a pipe that leads to large
box below. As it enters this box, it passes
and moves an ordinary recording instrument.
All Of the balls sent down pass the recorder,
number of votes cast.
IF it is desired to prove the vote the balls
can be examined and counted, first taking
care that the balls from previous votes are
removed. At the close OF vote movement
of a lever restores the annHnclator % It's
former position, and the VI II lg may be re-
peated After the session the balls may be
restored to their compartm ents ready Tor tae
nextsmeeting. To insure further information
each ball may have the number OF the mem
bel's desk. or his name printed upon 1t II
desired. There can be no deception or mis-
statement by this device, as 1t Is automatic,
self counting. and plainly visible before the
whole house.
To record the votes two electro-chemical
presses are employed. A sheet OF paper,
sensitized by a salt easily decomposed by
electricity. is laid on metallic table or press
Beneath this is q hard rubber plate pierced
with iron or copper studs, each having
members name engraved upon It, On estab-
fishing current through the press the salt
on the paper in contact with the stud Is de-
composed, and the members name appears
in red or blue upon the paper. In one press
the print is blue and records =" for, In the
other red and records :'against" After all
have voted, and it may be simultaneous, the
metallic plate is lifted, and each sheet con-
taln5 fuli iist VI aiA WIN 'o'oo on 'A"' SAA0
of the question.
The other sheet has the names CT those who
voted on the opposite side. These sheets may
he preserved for some time, or they may be
entered upon the records. In case secret
voting is desired, the annunciator and the
Recording. press may be "switched off, and
only the numbers recorded by the balls en-
ployed. Then only the value of the vote is
known, and if the balls are blank each indi-
vidual vote is effoctually covered. To enable
each member to see that his vote is recorded
upon the press, compass-needle on his desk
ia detected to the right or left according to
the vote. If the needle fails to move he knows
his wire is broken or out of order, and he may
announce his vote in some other way. To
prevent tampering with the apparatus, an
electric alarm is placed on the Speakers desk,
| and any injury to the works is at once made