The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-03-26


A wonderful collection of standard
weights and measures is preserved in the
fireproof building of the Coast and Geodetic
Survey, in Washington. Among the weights
are the cruder forms, originally used in this
country as standards. Three are of special
interest. One. which is nearly cylindrical
in shape, with slight groove around its
upper part. is known as the gilt pound. and
it represents the British unit of weight.
"The committee kilogramme" is brass
weight, and is one of number made at the
same time. under the charge of the French
committee that. near the end of the last
century, established the original metric
standards of measurement. Its true weight
was within one half millgramme at the fur
thest. 1t is cylinder fifty-three millime-
ters in diameter. the height being equal to
the diameter. The committee had pecul-
Jar stamp, which consisted of an ellipse.
supposed to represent meridian section of
the earth. with three quadrants shaded, and
with the figures 10000, 900 marked within
the unshaded quadrant near it's outer Pc
rimeter. That stamp is impressed on the
UOttUuI vi tilC hIOSl louuOs uO u1OUQA uOW
has minute holes. A weight known as the
AragO platinum kilogramme is cylindrical
In shape. Albert Gallatin, when Minister
to France in 1891, procured it. In 1879 it
was compared with the British platinum
kilOgramme, and its specific gravity was
determined by CLANCY. In 1884 it was
taken to Paris for comparison with the in
ternational standard. The national protO-
type kilogramme is kept under glass case.
It was constructed by the cooperation Of
the principal governments of the world. as
represented by delegates at convention in
Paris in 1872. The standard meters and
kilogrammes established by them were re-
produced and distributed by lot in 1889.
The productions are termed national prOtO
types. For the preservation of the original
international prototypes a subterranean
vault has been provided in Paris to protect
them from accident and against any sudden
or great change in temperature that might
cause a change in the molecular structure
of the metal. Three different KEYS to the
locks of the vault are under the charge of
three individuals. The American national
prototypes are to be preserved with similar
precautions in Washington. The kilO-
gramme is of standard alloy of 80 per cent.
platinum and 10 per cent. iridium. with a
tolerance of 2 per cent. in excess or def
cheney. The form is that of a cylinder.
with slightly rounded edges. its height be-
ing equal to it's diameter. The national
prototype meter is of the same alloy as the
kilogramme. The bar is LOO m. long.
The ceremony of breaking the seals of the
prototype meter and kilogramme took place
at the White House in the presence of
President Harrison. Secretary Blaine. Sec.
retary Window. and distinguished COM
pany, on January 2, 1890. The depart
ments were represented by officials, who
signed a memorial to the effect that they
had witnessed the ceremony. The standard
yard, as supplied by the Government to the
States, consists of the yard proper and a
template that protects the terminal points.
The Troughton scale, bearing the makers