The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-31

TIE world has advanced materially
during the yesr which closes at midnig bl
tonight.
When We regard Armenia aud Cuba and
the Philippines and the uprising for re.
prdiation In our own country we may be
inclined to ressin.ism with reference to
any claims that what we call civilization
mas advanced bu. in the arts and sciences,
and these notably make for civilization,
there has been undoubted progress.
First TO mind comes the RoEsToES
rsy, the sensational announcement of the
discovery Of which was made early in the
year. Confirmation of the wonder OF
the discovery was quickly followed by a
development OF its possibilities that is
simply astounding even at this end OF The
century when the world has grown ac-
customed to the rapid growth OF new
IDEAS. The progress Of electricity of
course made the remarkable development
of the X ray possible and its is not un-
likely that o-tn electrical application
and the X ray are in the infancy OF their
development.
Ike norSeless carriage and the flying
machine have both made notable progress
during the year and a great deal Of talent,
enterprise and money have been expended
on them. We nave seen a carriage GO
along an ordinary road without the horse,
and at least one dying machine has
actually flown without disaster to its
human freight. II would appear that
anything like practical success OF either
Of these devices must welt upon further
advance in Electrical application. We
have not yet reached point where elec-
tricity can be advaEtsgeously developed
independent of central plant aud
wiring, and the horseloss carriage, II not
the flying machine evidently enough de-
mands ele.ticity for its power and that
IL may be able to generals IL ec-nomi-
cally, practically and without the ADDITION
OF too much weight to it's paraphernaIia |
within the carriage itself. The advances
in electricity, II so it may be called, nave |
been chiefly in the commeroi'l way OF |
the development OF eie e,,iic railways and |
electiic lighting, chiefly the former.
There Gre estimated to be over rs, 600 troll
10y cars In us, In this country and at the
end OF the year the roads using electricity
capitalization of more than
s700, 000. 600 with as much more in cleo
Iric ishting, electric elevators ami the
various enterrrises that have developed
Ilsce steam, water or hand work. The
huoreseent bulb and the "cold light' to
replace the incan des cent are subjsrts for
the study Of the scientist that give prom
se, but thtt have not been advanced to the
stage Of practicals application. In teIephc-
,ic transmission, however. there has been
In advance -quias and natural that it
,as attracted little general attention.
New York, Boston and cities to the far
Vest listened TO the bands Of music and
he cheers of the parade upon the arni-
'eisary OF the Chicago nre in October
asst, without occasioning ary surprise,
nd we telieve Major MCKINLEY IN Can
on heard over the wirs the music of the
ound money parade In New York, little
ater, quite as a matter of course.
Anti-toxin Is the particularly notable
eature of advancement In medical
cience, ana II the scientists are not on
he wrong track, the profession OF medi-
Inc has promise Of remarkable progress
long the line thus indicated. And In
hus briefly reviewing development in the
rts and sciences, the bicycle will occur
, everyone as representing amazing pro-
ress in invention ana In a business :
'psct. After all there is little else so re-
nrkabIe in this world just now as tho
Icycle.
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