New-York tribune., 1878-03-30

is indeed difficult to say how an 3pngao0rSS %n g@o0S
statute could be executed in this connection ion W WE Tonn wSnd
and gallon by penalties as has Deen uohe hra u as
parentay despOtc OF E1rOpe e posses
sion OF the old standards II may even be cohsuu,ru
doubtful whether the legal mG cTeeng Gl 'i that only
contracts made in terms OF the new ,s s'aio iolate
the principle that any agreement made in good faith can
be maintained at lava principle iar more @ lmPo bnr
than conformity in weights and measures VIII o'n''
In attempting 10 the last Question pToponH1ded &c %
imply how long is IL likely 10 be before the
metric system win come nar5ssiO into 80 SsnerSS E Se et 1f
obgatC II left to itself its gpSysG bG
reoscnav Sw al not less than nifty wears The
fixing Of time in advance. say the year 1900, wond
the friends Of the measure like that initiated by the
the American Metric Bureau, OF Boston would greatly
marked effect of the endeavors OF that organization,
this Office would give its opinion that the year 800
metric system should become obligatory throughout the
United States. Should antcipations be deceived
such statute would doubtless be repealed before Tue
time had arrived
Mr.. Z. b. Elliott, who has also been a careful
student of this subject, in his communication says
that it seems to him that the metric system OF
weights and measures might be made obligatory in
certain governmental transactions chiefly in those
of international character such for the assess
ment of customs duties, imports for the purpose OF
coinage, and for postal purposes and that 1t might
go into operation without detriment 10 the public
service with the fiscal year commencing July l,
1879" He cOntinues
lido not consider II advisable TO make the use OF the
metric system Immediately obligatory in transactlons
apperaining TO the transfer OF lands to the coecon
Internal demands the internal transactions OF
the Government generally the changes ihvoiVed tercoy
being so enormous and remarkable as 10 meet nee n MIN
pursuits OF life with whom the Government would nave
business transactions, and whose immediate interests
m OH
l think it advisable to make the metric system
business of private life in the future It's use is
now by law permitted between individuals. II may oe.
however advisable to render the of the system obga
tory upon extended lines Of rail and water com,
munieauons of the country In their operations IN regard
to freight 1t would be well that tariff schedule OF the
common and metric equivalents be prepared prior TO the
full obligation of the system for customs purposes ~
advisable that The rendering the use OF the
metric system obligatory for local and domestic pur-
poses be left or the present at least to the action OF
the state Legislatures
A general press dispatch says that the bill
introduced in the House by Representative
Stephens, Of Georgia, 10 promote the general
use of the metric system, is preceded by a pre-
anbe. which recites that the system has made little
progress notwithstanding its great merits and lis a'
thorZaOn by law by virtue of the Act OF Congress OF
July o. 1866. The system is believed TO be capable on
simpincation TO remove many m3ediments to lis
general USE The bill authorizes the OF the modified
metric system and the continued use OF any system now
permitte by law is not prohibited the intent and
meaning of the being not TO enforce any particular
system bu provide for the public convenience by
adaptation TO its circumstances and cXgencifs; the
metric system being capable OF indefinite expansion TO
suit the uses Of mankind in business and science. The
follow iug are the metric tables proposed by the bill;
Measures Of Ien0h-100 haus make nall 100 nails
ma ke = meier; 100 meters make q kile.
Measures Of SaTJdee-lOOO0 square meters make
great
Measures of RV'k dad Condcitg-100 drops make a
spoon; 100 spoons make aquart 100 quarts MAKE crH
Measures Of Wstghi-lOO SEEDS make corn; 200 co!Hs
make n nut; 100 nuts make a bl-pOund or bp; 1000
bps make ton.