Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-30
The District Telephone.


Although the principles upon which the tele-
phone is based have long been known, Its adapta-
ton TO practical use is very recent,-in fact, only
about Ave years. So great improvements have,
however, been made in this short time that the
instrument OF five years ago Is comparatively an
tquated. The system is yet In its infancy, but 1t
Is rapidly acquiring the lusty thews which go to
make up robust youth 1t is not our present
purpose III Is our future one) 10 describe the in
vention or relate Its history, but only to describe
Its practical application In our own village.
1t Is now about two months since Col. A. Q.
Brown, whose office Is at the corner Of Main and
State streets tup stairs), began to put up the
wires, but his progress has been 80 rapid that
there are already thirty seven stations in the lin
Its OF the village. Considering that It's use was
to great extent unknown, or, II known, unap-
preciated, his success Is surprising to us,-a man
OF less energy could not have accomplished it.
Except that we, In this paper, about two years
ago called attention to 1t, briefly suggested its
uses, and urged It's adoption, effort has before
been made to introduce II, but this brief time has
been amply sufficient to demonstrate that it has
come to stay. OF course, its workings are now
well understood by the people Of this village but
as Its uses and benefits are eventually and we
hope, in short time, to be extended to surround
ing towns, we attempt to describe the process for
the benefit Of the people Of those towns.
Each station is connected by a wire with the
central station where, by means OF switch
board like in principle bat different in coDstruc-
ton from telegraphic switch board) the central
office is enabled to connect the wire with any one
or all Of the other thrtysix wires at the pleasure
Of the sender Of the message. 1t is obvious, then,
that the sender may communicate the same mes
sage at the same time to one, three, dozen, or
all the other stations, and each Of the stations
can talk with all in the circuit, in short can carry
on conversation with nearly the same ease as II
all were in the same room. The occasions for its
use are 80 lnnumerable and varied that we must
leave them to the imagination.
Now this is not, or need not be. confined to the
limits Of a small village By connecting the wires
with a telegraph wire, conversation can easily be
carried on between stations three hundred miles
apart. 1t is not in the present stage OF the in
vention, practicable for longer distances, as be-
yond that words are unacceptable Sounds
have, however, been transmitted much further.
Until the invention OF the repeater similar diff
cultes were encountered on telegraph lines, for
only to a certain distance are batteries powerful
enough to keep up a current Of electricity. This
has been partially, not entirely, obviated by the
use of repeaters and additional batteries We be-
lieye that similar invention will some time per-
mid telephone communication to any desirable
distance. In this connection we will say that our
district telephone was last Sunday, connected
with Burlington by means Of the telegraph wire,
and Mr.. Alvaro Adsit in that city conversed freely
with several OF our citizens.
The patrons of the Brattleboro district tele-
phone are already moving in the matter Of con-
Meeting their village with the surrounding towns
which do business there. We would earnestly
urge the same upon the people of Montpelier be-
fore some more enterprising rival town encroaches
upon territory naturally ours, but which we can
not retain unless we keep up with the times. This
is not an age Of Rip Van Wrinkles The world
moves, and moves rapidly, too, and unless we
wish to get left, we must jump on and ride.
The following is list of stations in the Mont
pelier exchange, and Colonel Brown is ready at
any time to explain its practical workings to WIS.,
tors and to receive additional subscriptions
THE First National Bank.
2-The Montpelier National Bank
3-James r. Langdon's residence.
4-Dr Bngham's Office and residence.
5-The Pavilion Hotel.
6-Mrs. Charles Reeds residence.
Lame Manufacturing Company's office.
s-Lane Manufacturing Company's shops
9-Mr. John b. Thurston's residence.
lO-Mr. Henry X. Fields residence.
n-Mr. +. u. Backwells residence.
PIT. c. Phinney's bookstore.
l3-The State House.
H-Mr. Henry loves residence
l5-Mr. Henry loves tea store.
l6-General ?. p. Pitkin's residence
H-whtiers meat market.
ls-The Union House.
l9-Colonel Fred f. Smiths residence,
20-W. W. Parks grocery store.
2l-Dr. Putnam's office and residence.
22-Clarence II. Pitkn's law office.
9-Newcomb's meat market.
24-TIlram Atkins residence.
zo--Argus and Patriot office.
26-Dr Kemp's office and residence.
27-Mr. Charles Dewey's residence.
Sensational Life Insurance Companys office.
Sd. W. Dudley's livery stable
3o-Mr. J. C. Houghton's residence.
3l-C. II. Cross a Sons bakery.
32-Mr. l.. Bart Cross residence.
3-Putnam a Marvins grocery store.
A-E. W. Bailey 4 Co.'S -four and feed store.
35-The Cab Shops.
36-Telegraph office.
37-A. c, Brown's residence.