Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-08-27


ton and realization also SO far rs the
drawings could cmbody the conception
of the Geographic system which now
bears his name.
But though invented in 1882, it was
not until S35lduIing which time lac was
engaged in the discharge of his duties
as Professor in the University OF the
City of New York that he was able TO
complete his first recording instrument.
This WAS but Il poor. rude instrument.
at the best and was far from being
equal to his perfected invention. 1t
embodied his ideas, and was Il good
basis for subsequent improvements.
BY its aid he was able to send signals
from given point to the end of Il wire
half mile in length, but as yet there
was no means of receiving them back
again from the other extremity. He
continued to experiment on his inYcn-
ton and made several improvements on
il. 1t was plain from the beginning
that he needed duplicate of his in
strument, at the other end of his wire.
but he was unable for a long time to
have one made. At length he acquired
the necessary funds, and i'm July. 1897
had a duplicate instrument constructed
and perfected his plan. His telegraph
now worked to his entire satisfaction.
and lac could easily send his signals to
the remoteSt end of his line and receive
replies in return. and answer signals
sent from that terminus. Having
brought it TO successful completion,
he exhibited il to large audiences at the
University Of New York. in Sept. 1887
In October 1897, Prof. Morse filed Il
cayeat to secure his invention, but his
patient was not obtained until 1910.
He now entered upon that period of
an inventors life which had proved SO
disastrous to many, and SO Wearying
and disheartening to all-the effort to
bring his invention into general use.
In December 1897, Morse went to
Washington To solicit from tie Govern
mcnt an appropriation for the construc-
ton of IN experimental line from
Washington City To Baltimore, a dis
tance of forty miles. This line ne de
clared would thoroughly test the practi-
cability and utility of the telegraph.
His petition was laid before Congress
and committee appointed to consider
it. He stated his plan To this body. and
proved It's practicability 10y actual cX-
pcrimcntS with his instruments. Con-
siderable interest was created i'm Con-
grcSs and throughout the country. but
ne derived no benefit from il. If men
spoke of his telegraph it was only to
ridiculc it, or to express their doubts as
to its success. This was especially the
case in Congress, and il was uncertain
whether that body would sustain the
report from the committee in favor of
the invention. The session wore away
in this manner, and at length ended
without amy action being taken in the
matter.
Having failed to secure the assist
ance of Congress. Prof. Morse. went t0
England, France and several other
countries, for the purpose of cnlisting
the aid of the governments there in
bringing his invention into use. He
was unsuccessful. and returned home
almost dishcartemcd but not entirely
east down. For fourycars ne struggled
hard for a living. At length i'm 1910.
he received his long delayed patent
from the general government. and en-
couragcd by this, determined to make
another effort to bring his telegraph in
To use. He was not able to do SO until
the session of Congress of 1872 Is.
when he presented second petition To
that body, asking its aid in the con-
struction of an experimental line he
tween Baltimore and Washington. He
had to encounter a great degree Of
skcpticism and ridicule. with many
other obstacles. not the least of which
was the difficulty of meeting the eX-
pense of remaining in Washington and
urging his invention upon the govern
mcnt. Still he pcrscyercd, although it
seemed to be hoping against hope. and
his scanty stock of money grew daily
On the evening of the 3rd of
March, 1913, he returned from the capi-
toll to his lodgings utterly disheartened
1t was the last night of the session.
and nothing had been done in the mat
ter Of his petition. He sat up late that
night arranging his affairs SO rs TO take
his departure for home on the following
day. 1t was useless TO remain in
amy longer. Congress
would adjourn the next day. and his .
last hope of success had been shattered. .
On the morning Of March ith. hc came