The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-07-28
lightning and Lishtnins-Isods.

From the New York journal Of Commerce.
The terrible Thunderstorm which receut-
" passed over parts OF Connecticut, New
jersey, and New York delivered itS bolts
with deadly effect. A number OF persons
were killed. several houses and barns fired
and destroyed, and many buildings injured.
Had these isolated calamities befallen one
locality or small section OF country, or II
the total deaths and other losses caused by
lightning on Tuesday could be presented
in one table, the public mind would be
greatly startled by the exhibit. The ques-
ton would again arise in every inquisitive
brain, Are the lightning-rodS OF the period
a sufficient protection against these shots
from the skies! This is 4 question very
hard to answer. 1t would be made easier il
the telegraphic reporters Of lightning fatal
tiles would only mention whether any OF
the buildings hit are provided with rods or
not, and If so furnished, then what is the
pattern OF rod used and the form OF its ap-
piication.
If the lightnng-rod business as generally
conducted by peripatetic agents IS swim
dIe-as many people think it is-it should
be attacked with missiles more damaging
than the stale jokes that are continually
cracked at the expense OF this trade In the
country papers. 1t is not enough TO make
q butt OF the fellows who roam over the
land putting up worthless lishtnlng-rods
and victimizing innocent farmers by ae-
ceptive contracts. Ridicule is not an ade-
quate punishment for the offences OF tnese
men If the allegations against them are true.
They should be reached by the strong arm
OF the law II they are really taking the
money of the people under false pretences.
Notwithstanding the prevalent skeptlclsm
about the honesty and fair dealing OF tue
lightning-rod trade. we doubt not that there
are somewhere in this country men In that
line who can be trusted to do good work
who will fit out building with all that
science and experience have discovered rs
guard against heavens artillery. The
field before them is large and inviting. why
do they not occupy it! No person whose
house is unfinished with good lightning
rod can read the frightful accounts OF Tues
DAYS storm without feeling OF anxiety.
The companies or firms engaged in the
lightniny-rod traffic could do something TO
aijay these fears and turn an honest penny
by advertising their claims on public conf
I}ence. II they have any certificates Of the
value Of their wares from persons whose
houses have been saved by them these evil
.1cuces would be very much in order.
1t has been suggested that commission
OF scientific men should he appointed to in
vestigate the subject and make recon-
mendation OF the best form OF protection
against this danger. But we have little
confidence in the Judgment Of these Swans.
and would for ourselves trust more to the
teachings Of plain, common sense. The re-
auirement OF security is q metal conductor
with points rising above every projection
OF the building. and forming u continuous
Zine to point in the ground OF certain
moisture. An examination Of many OF the
rods now attached to buildings will show at
once that one or more Of these imperative
conditions has been violated. ~ 1t needs no
philosopher to show that point OF metal
only foot or two above one corner OF the
building will not necessarily protect all the
other corners. The kind of rod or wire or
cable used is Of less Importance than the
method Of its application. ..'..