Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-05

SUuQleS tnau mlgQt, VIII luoIe PIoho. oo
given to the study of electricity and other
necessary studies, especially by those who
are liable to be called on to work with cleo
tricity.
Electricity is certainly the life principle
of the animal and vegetable Kingdoms, the
motive power that sends the hfe-oIood
through the arteries and veins, the sap to
the vegetable cells, and when these ideas
fully dawn upon the slowly-progresslve
mind of the world of man, a greater demand
for knowledge on the subject of electricity
than has ever been dreamed of will
spring up
Add to all this the fact that electricity is
the force that causes all weather changes
and that this force constitutes the only true
basis for the science of meteorology and the
argument is complete that no time should
be lost in establishing electricity as one of
the principal studies in our schools.
At this time it may be considered prema-
ture to surmise as to the ultimate source of
generated electricity when we have passed
the rapids of discovery through which we
are now going, but will venture few sug-
gestions. 1 believe that all space is filled
with matter, either electric or condensed.
We find least electricity where we find most
condensed matter, and most electricity
where we find least condensed matter. The
higher we 90 into the atmosphere the lighter
is the matter composing 1t, and the greater
are the quantity and tension of electricity,
and when we 90 to sea level we lind this
order is reversed.
This leads up to the idea 1 desire to ex-
press as to the future source of electricity
for use as motive power, light, fuel, etc.
Its fountain head being above or outside
our atmosphere, or the lower and denser
portions OF it, we must tap that great foun-
tain and bring our electricity from above.
This idea is not inconsistent with the
lypnuyr1 la1rc of plpcfripifv All SCIENTISTS
hold that space is positive and the earth
negative, or in more easily understood
terms, the large quantity is above and the
smaller quantity in the earth. Benjamin
Franklin brought down the electricity from
above on the string of kite, showing that
it moves from the atmosphere above to the
earth below. All electricians say that the
higher strata of clouds are positive as to
the next below them and these in turn are
positive as to still lower strata. while the
lower clouds are positive as to the earth.
All this means that the electricity comes
from above which is not only in accord
with the suggestion that we must tap space
above US for electricit but is also evidence
in support of my other theory that the
earth grows by condensatiors of electricity,
these CONVERSATIONS being the origin of
electrical force, which is only the attenu-
ated matter of space set in motion.
Edisons theory, so far as it has been
made known, is that we must either get
electricity from the earth or transmit it
from some great water power. | believe
that he, or someone soon to take up his
work, viii find this to be an error, and in
stead they will look aloft. So far as | know
it has not been tested, but when 1t is l be-
lieve much greater volume and tension of
electricity can be generated on top Of the
highest mountains than at sea-level.
If some scheme could be devised by which
70. fro, bfat n
tricity existing in the upper atmosphere,
then have another suggestion to make. |
believe the atmosphere and water. as well
as other condensed matter, to be condensa-
tions of electricity. and we must discover
how to resolve these into their original,
electricity. l have long believed this to be
the principle of the Kelley motor which
has not yet been perfected, and if Mr..
Kelley fails to solve this mystery with his
''atomizer," as he very significantly calls
it, the times will soon furnish another who
will take up the work where he left it and
discover the secret of resolving water or
atmosphere, perhaps both, into electricity.
Necessity is often the propagation OF dis
coveries as well as the mother of invention,
and of necessity great discovery in the
field of electricity must soon be made.
Great improvements have been made i'll the
appliances for controlling and using cleo
tricity, while but little progress has been
made for many years in the base OF opera
lions in generating electricity. AS l be-
lieve, wrong theory has prevented prog
ress. Electricity has been looked upon by
all orthodox scientists as only incidental,
accidental, an effect with no permanent and
prominent place in the great economy of
nature.
We must reverse all this and give to this
force its true position which is the cause of
causes, the one great, original force, while
everything else in nature, mind and matter,
in all their relations and conditions are only
effects. If our electricians once learn that
electricity is only matter in motion, coming
from all points in space, adding its atoms to.
the gross matter of our earth, they will
then understand that everything is made
from condensations of this electric ether
and they will set about resolving matter
back into electricity for use as fuel, light
and power. On this line firmly believe
that great discovery will be made within
a few years which will revolutionize many
industries and make a vast demand for
those who have knowledge of the practical
workings of electricity.
For years have believed that the time
would come when, by chemical action,
water, air and many solids would be ex-
ploded as we now explode gunpowder, 'and
that instead of Transforming the matter into
gases, as in the case of gunpowder, it
would be resolved into its original atom,
electricity, as it existed before being con-
densed. Study electricity.
w. T. FOSTER.