The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-07
TFOr the Dispatch.l

SNTTBFIELD. August 8, 1880.
On the 21st OF July, 1880, an article ap-
peared in the Commonwealth headed " The
Causes OF Climatic Changes" from which 1t
appears that Professor Tice, western me-
teoroIogist, "ascribes the great physical
changes that have taken place In the United
States in the last bali century to the net
work OF railroads and telegraph lines with
which its surface has been covered"
A letter signed 81. r. P.," from this
place, was published in the Weekly Journal
of Commerce OF August 8, 1872, in which
are these propositions:
"First. Protracted droughts have been
more common in the Atlantic States since
lS40 than previous"
"Second. Rainfalls Nrom 18th May to
18th September) In those portions OF the
United States are generally accompanied by
local thunder. clouds"
Third. Electric clouds remarkable Tor
destructive effects and fearful phenomena
since 1910 have been more frequent over
the coast cities, and other termini or centres
of several railroads and telegraph lines, than
In other places"
These extracts are substantially correct,
although not Uerbdtim. "J. r. p" states
these problems, which appear to be proven
letter of Sth August, 1872, "J. K. p" pro-
pounds three questions; the Two first may
be combined thus: 1t is an established law
of electricity that two bodies in the same state
repel. and in an opposite state attract each
other. Does this law operate on the earth
and impending clouds with such force as to
cause the repulsion OF the clouds and pre-
vent local thunder.clouds and rain when the
earth and he clouds are in the same electrical
state. and rice versa d" Has any general
agency been established in this country
since lS40 OF sufficient effect to create fre-
ouent equilibria between the earth ana
clouds and to impede the formation OF thun-
der-clouds aud rain"I
The theory propounded by 81. r. p" is
contained in the following liberal extract
from his letter OF August, 1872: Within
few days QS7D have seen 1t officially an
nounced that the aggregate length OF raii-
roads in this country is 60,S00 miles, anC
presume the lines OF telegrapb-wires are
not less. These useful works Of man have
formed a network OF metallic conductor
over the earth's surface, which are con-
tinualy attracting electricity from the at
mosphere and conducting 1t to their termi.
nj in the cities near the ocean, bays, and
lakes. and other railroad centres. The
Iearth for an uncertain distance around
those points and all objects resting upon II
becomes capacious Leyden jars in the lab
ratory of nature, highly charged witt
positiye electricity, which, under Ia
yorabe circumstances ian impending
cloud in negative State6 passei
through metallic conductors, trees, steeples
houses, and the bodies OF animals. with de
structiye effects and awiully grand appear
ance Attentive observers OF meteoroogl
cal nhenOmena must remember several IN
stances OF the kind. In proportion to th
onantitv OF electricity taken from the at
mosphere along the lines OF rails and wire
will be the equilibrium between atmosphere
and terrestrial electricity along thel
courses. the formation OF tbunder-cl0ud
! impeded, and rainfall diminished. Whilst
on the other hand, the terminl become pos
, tive in like proportion, attract impendin
! clouds within effective limits, discharge
e from one TO the other take place, and ram
. fall is one OF the results"
}, Thus it appears that Professor Tice agree
. with "J. Il. p" on the proposition ascrlt
ING important climatic changes IN this cour
try within the last half century TO the ne'
work OF metallic rails and wires with whic
men have covered its surface. AS eie'
> tricity is The cause OF all meteorological PM
: nomena," the different effects noted by tt
two observers are not material. Since III
: letter OF August. 1872, Professor Tice is u
# first and only person, think, who has pn'
Z licIy announced that opinion. 81. II. Z:
4 can but be elated that, although after tt
4 lapse OF eight years, one meteorologlst ni
l. given his views TO the world on this que
tion OF science, and in full accord vii
those on one point at least promulgated |
him in 1872. The effects OF metallic raj
and wires as climatic agents had occupi6
the reflections OF 81. r. p" for more tha
twenty years. Long had be awaited It's e.
dorsement or refutation. impatient unu
deIav. ne endeayored at other times and
other modes to draw the attention oil scle
fists to the subject. His hopes that 9th
minds more competent might discover Ia
special agency being frustrated, with mn'
= difidence he published his views IN A
g anot 1870 j. II. p.