Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-16
THE NEW FORCE.
The Great Social and Economic Changes
Made Possible by the Introduction
of Electricity, Which May be
had BY the farming OF
A Water MheeI-The Power Which Lies
at Every Mans Door, and May be
had Almost for the Asking
EdisOn's Triumphs.
London Pail Mall Gazette.


At present the application OF electricity is
only in its infancy, but already any one who
is familiar with the dissolvent action of The
steam engine on the old order which existed
a century since can understand that the
dynamo machine and the storage battery
may yet effect very unexpected transfer
nation Of the social organization, and modify
or even destroy the existing balance OF
political forces. The political and social
significance OF recent discoveries in the ap-
plication OF electricity is increased by the
disappearance of the old, unreasoniDg con-
serv stism, which fiftv years ago formed 50
great an obstacle to the development Of the
railway system The leader of The Conserva-
tive party is to day driving piles in the
River Lea by electricity generated by the
water wheel that tonight will light up the
electric lamps which illuminate Hatfield
Hall. Not only has the old prejudice
against new tangled inventions disappeared,
but Information is disseminated with a
rapidity before unknown. Electricity, there
fore, has fewer obstacles TO overcome lhsn
those which steam has vanquished; and If,
as is most probable, it is destined TO bring
about great changes, they will be brought
about with rlpidity partakipg somewhat
Of its own che racter.
Last week NJ. Deprez succeeded in trans
hitting power by means Of electricity
through resistance representing fifty miles of
ordinary telegraph wire. Hitherto it has
been ia possible to transmit SIX or eight horse
power for blowing or other heavy work more
than two or three miles. This is but an IL
lustratiou Of the development OF the new
force. Il enables US to conceive the posi-
bility-to take only one ilustration-ot Sub
shutting a stout cable for all the wagons and
steamers employed in carrying Goals from
the pits to the manufacturing centers where
it is required for working machinery But
that Is only a detail, and a comparatively
small detail, OF the change it foreshadows
Together with the discovery of the practical
bility OF storing electrical energy to any ex-
tent, it opens up vista of industrial reyo-
luton before which the boldest may well
hold his breath. 1t renders possible the |
storage for future use Of 6tful but tremendous
forces of nature which at present run to |
waste. The wind, the waterfall among the |
mountains, and the tide on the shore, by the |
simple agency of the dynamo machine and |
the storage battery, may in few years COM |
pete with the steam-engine in its own field |
Sir William Armstrong has long lit up his |
picture gallery at Rothbury by the aid of |
little mountain rivulet, and Godalmiug has |
shown that town may be lighted BY the |
river on which IL stands. "a tenth pert of |
the tidal energy in the valley Of the Sc |
vern," gays Prof. Sylvanus Thompson, |
would light every city, and another tenth |
would turn every loom, spindle and axle in |
Great Britain" In Ireland and Scotland, in |
Wales aud in some of the hiIly districts in |
England, mountain torrents generate force |
which if stored ar d used would enable us to |
dispense with coal Tor all purposes except |
heat, and even heat may yet be laid into our |
houses By wire rs easily as light and force |
Ii such prospect Is realized the whole dis |
tribution OF population in Great Britain snd
Ireland may be altered and electricity may |
far Guido the exploits of the railway in ''set- |
ting towns dancing" all over Britain.
The consequences OF such revolution, |
which, among other changes might restore |
10 The Southwest the supremacy which |
passed to the Northeast under the influnce
of the steam engine, would ne necessarily be so
enormous that il is hardly worth while TO
ailude to bills for redistributing seats in Par
Lament as one Of the minor changes which
would follow in its wake. Neither need we
dwell upon the indirect result of the produc-
ton OF cheap and brilliant light upon the
morals Of our streets-although in Boston
already they declare that the electric lamp
is as effective as five policemen. But there
two changes the new force is likely 10
produce which should be mentioned. By
facilitating the distribution of force it will
tend 10 promote decentrali zation, and pos
sibly may bring about more equal distribu-
ton of wealth. Electricity, unlike steam,
does not necessitate the concentration of
capital. Steam blew up aristocracy but
plutocraoy may be smit,en by the thunder
bolt. A steam-epgine is only potent within
the range OF its shafIipg. dynamo
machine at the nearest mill-race could
work a loom in every cottage or
drive a pillow on the holding OF
every peasant. But still more
remarkable is likely to be its influence in the |
practical realization of one OF the dreams OF
modern socialism. No practical man be-
1ieves that there is any prospect OF placing
the existing means of production in the
hands of the representatives of the whole
community. Both the surface OF the land
and its mineral treasures have passed ire
voca5ly into tae hands OF private owners.
Bnt what promise TO be the motive Forces of
the future belong to no man. The tides, the
cataracts and the winds are the heritage of
all. III they are to be utilized the public
spirit of the local communities, which every
day shows more Impotence with existing
monopolies, may be relied upon to take
prompt action TO prevent their exploitation
for the benefit of few. The gas and water
supply are already in the hands of the mu-
inequalities. Who can calculate the results
which might follow if the local authorities
were also placed in possession Of a motive
force destined TO be the handspring of cur
manufacturing industry?
EDIsoNs SUCCESS ABROAD.
care you meeting with much success in
introducing your electric lighting system
"Very satisfactory success indeed. Really,
better progress could not be desired. As
you probably know, syndicate of 6nauciers
are handling my invention on the Continent |
of Europe; and their reports to me are of a
glowing nature. Were they not making good |
Roadway they need not say the reverse, for |
the companies are formed by private per-
sonswith every dollar of the stock subscribed |
for paid in. The syndicate comprise the Com |
pagnic Continental Edison, capital 1000,- |
000f; the Societe Electroque Ellison, with a |
like capital, and the Socie,e Industriell lie ct |
Commercale l. iisoD, with a capital OF $780, |
O00f. The first company is the general dis. |
tribuling one, the second is intended TO sup |
ply isolated plants, and the third is for the |
manufacture of lamps and all the necessary |
machinery for producing the light. |
The light is sold like gas by the distribut-
ing body, and in the second instance, |
smaller cities, villages, workshops and pri- !
vate mansions are supplied. In every case |
the experiments are proving successful, and |
before many years / shall have revolution |
lied the entire lighting system of Europe. |
Now the mandatory at Ivry, one of the |
suburbs OF Paris, is obliged to keep running |
night and day that outstanding orders may |
be filled 10 Eogland, the Edison Electric |
Light Company has been formed with |
100000 has been paid up. Lord Ander- |
son. Sir John Lubbock. Right Hon. f. P. |
Badverrie, Shelford Bidwell and r. B. Wade, |
are the incorporstors. While the company |
is private one, its operations W i'll not lie |
kept in the dark, for they propose to give |
London light that will shatter her fogs |
before a great while. The beauty of all |
my foreign contracts is that they are in |
the hands of private companies, who will |
not put up a share of stock in the mar
ket. A magnificent display Of the sys- |
tenn has been made at the Crystal Palace, |
the postoffice are about putting in dynamo, |
and Holborn Niaduct, near London, has been |
successfully lighted by the Spanish company |
now forming; the light is being introduced |
in Russia, and it is already in use in the |
spinning factories in Finland, Hamburg, the |
Leipsic docks, Strasburg, Milan, ST. Peters |
burg, Australia and several South American |
cities. Abroad the isolated business is very |
great; for instance, at point where the gen.
eral distribution system has not been intro |
duced, plant is put in and dynamo intro |
duced that will generate sufficient light for |
the purpose. This system prevails in the |
factories, small villages, public institutions |
and private residences"
Springfield Republican,
AN APRIL MASK.