Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-12
EDISON ON THE WIRE.
ne AND Mr.. BROWN DISCUSS THE
DANGER OF HlGH-TENSlON
CURRENTS.
Captain Garden and Professor Morton
vigorously Oppose Mr. Lovenstoin's
Low-Pressurc BIN.

s;scnssed in the ball OF the House of Dele
gates last evening by such distinguished
'.cntlemon as Thomas A. Edison. III. T..
brown. Henry Morton. and Hugh Il. Gar
den. alkof New York.
Tho ball was densoly filed, and for
NEARLY three hours the ladies and gentle
men there assembled listened TO tho dis
c,lssion Of amperes. volts, high and low
urcssure. continuous. puisating, and al
;srnnflnc circuits. and Othcr terms fami-
liar 10 those versed in electrical science.
The occasion was the consideration by
V.e Senate Committee on General Laws Of
fhe h,n introduced about ten days or two
,reoks AGO bv Mr.. Lovenstcin. winch has
e-catcd such a f'0'or IN electric circles both
IA this state and elsewhere.
The design o. the bill has been represent
el 10 be tlc losscning of danger from cleo
iric wires. but the opinion Of many has
Son that it's conception only contem-
,afcd the adoption Of one system and the
sholition Of others which could not ope-
rate. "a contcnded. under such restric-
tons as are thereby imposed.
TIN PROVISIONS.
Uore are the two important provisions Of
lho proposed law
In ell electric circuits or parts OF circuits. whe-
,er lhov De Ia whole or IN part under or above
fraani. the electric pressure used shall not ex-
rre1 ula following amounts; Tho non-pulsating
D.nHnlous current - pressure not exceeding
30 volts: the pulsatinR continuous current 10
f.ressfsre not exceeding $50 volts; the ster-
.atIle current 70 a pressure not exceeding zoo
volts. according 70 tho nature OF the curront
nsHi. o,.,
o., unlawful after the ist Of April, 1897. 90 main
',in any OF tho wires or circuits in this section
monulned except In accordoncc With the pro-
,ist.us ~ this art All telephone nud other cir
or IA
f0c light, heat, and power, which are IN part
r.isite Of tho premises of the user, shall Dc
r0uunu0usly equipped with adequate sno proper
f.-ihio strips. or equivalent devices sunicient TO
f-ret the circuit should a current OF dangerous
..-sngtn he received, inserted in such circuit as
ihsy enter the premises Of the user.
OVATION TO EDISON.
Tho appearance here Of man so erni-
mont in ms profession as Mr. Edison-often
spOken Of as the " electric wizard was a
matter Of both interest aud curiosity to
ann pcople: and that gentleman, whose
rame and fame are familiar throughout
tle entire world, was rendered quite an
ovation. He was called upon at the
hotel Yesterday by many citizens, and his
-sccption last night was cordial end Halter
mo. tie arrived IN the ball some time be-
f0re5 o'clock, for which hour the meeting
v.s called. and after Arranging some appa-
rtus that might be used to explain certain
routs he took seat AZ the reporters
desk. where he quietly watched the people
a- they poured into the hall.
When Chairman Stubbs raped the com
uiitee 20 order al thirteen minutes past
o'clock the room was crowded: Many ex-
'ra chairs were provided, ana yet seats
were at q premium. Not near all OF those
who wished To hear tho great inventor and
.ro other speakers could be accommodated.
t GREAT number bad 70 stand and several
repaired 10 the west gallery.
Among those present. III addition to the
New Y0rkers and members OF the General
Assembly. were Mayor j. I. EllysOn, Ma
Ilr Fred. Il. Scott, Major Norman V. Ran
dolph. j. b. Tree. superintendent of the
Western Union Telegraph Company here;
NJ E. Leonard superintendent of tole-
rr,uh on the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail
Nav. Hon. john T. Massey. Dr. w. Leigh
Burton. inventor Of the Burton heater;
Professors Winston and Harris. City. En-
liueor W. J.. Cutshaw, and blr. Henry
!LllL
THE PATRON.
.Assoon rs the committee was called to
orIor and the b.ll read Mr. Lovensteln, Its
patron. was asked if he desired to address
fhr committee.
llr. Lovenstein said ne introduced the
at the request of several of his con-
sutuents, and is object, as he understood
-. was TO protect both person and pro-
reriy from danger. If the Legislature
clili pass a measure throwing any safe
.lari around the people he thought 1T
would perhaps be the best thing that
could possibly be accomplished at this ses-
son. lie only desired 10 add that the bill
was introduced not in the interest of any
oue concern OF monopoly but for the pub
i veal.
Mr. Lovenstein in closing introduced
Nr. 4. /. Boulware, representing parties
advocating the passage Of the bill.
Why TWAS WANTED.
Air. Bouiware said the great loss Of life
ar1 destruction of property by electricity
WIS what impelled the gentlemen whom he
l.m, euted TO ask the passage of such
I s.ure. lie was present IN the interest
Ot the public. Electricity. he said, was
.re # the greatest of powers, but one ex-
0.. lunly hard 10 manage and of which az
set less Is known than any other agent
c force. The public alarm had
become 30 great that unless greater
tuuar1s are thrown around the
r4u., ,ement Of the wires IT would have to
. abolished. Everybody was apprehen-
.le about the mysterious and mighty
power and there was general clanor that
f. electric current should be made safer.
JOB thc North the citizens generally and the
Insurance companies. many OF whom he re-
l.Dsruted here, were pctliiOnlng the legls-
.r Professor Smith of the University OF
Virginia. Nr. Boulware continued, remark
,1 when here on visit recently that the
'.ctric-Wires were n me mace and danger To
tl life and property. and as they multi
...d 70 would be as a blaze OF electric ire
l'serlug over the city.
His clients and friends. Mr.. Roulwaro
sad asked no monopoly. In no sense was
i .uch. II only proposed to iix limit
within which all companies may operate
vitLant danger and without changing ther
'-m.
1ir. Boplware now introduced Mr.. Edi-
..u e.. the fathe- of electricity. who is IN
.rahic Of mRking other than an accurate
.'atement concerning any electIic matter.
lr Boulware also introduced MI. H.. 4.
Brown. Of New York, who Is an expert elec-
O. sal engineer Of distinction.
THE orHEH SIDE.
Nr. Wvndham r. Meredith. representing
O. 9ther side, was now gwen the floor and
avery clever speech outlined the oopo-
-tou to the bill. He joined with the en-
ife audience IN the expression OF the
pleasure It afforded them TO see Mr. kdi-
.on and hear him on snhect with which
Ls was so familiar. Mr.. Edison, II appear
I'd wanted 10 emulate his progenitor Ben
lanin franklin. in the halls Of legislation as
he had surpassed him in the laboratory lie
hoped lir. Edison in this worthy course
would 20 far enough in emulation of Mr..
tianAi 20 advocate only such good law
a- would justify the scientist for the pup,
lc good il leaving the laboratory and
visiting the assembly-room. This. Mr..
Meredith contended. could not possibly be
made good law. and no did not see why the
gentlemen from New York, unacquainted
with our surroundings. should come down
i,re 20 look after matter that was local
m ,ts bearings and should be 50 treated by
uc General Assembly. He was OF the
ir sone special commercial interest
ler than for the safety Of the pec-
Ue several sections, he insisted, only
r.Ated 20 the abatement of nulsances ana
gre entirely superiluOns, as this subJect
was more broadly covered in the general
law Of the State. No one had beon hurt by
electricity 10 this State SO lar as he knew,
aal the passage of this bill would rather
Increase than lessen danger.
Mr. Meredith closed by introducing the
gentlemen who would follow on his side