New-York tribune., 1902-11-03
A NEGLECTED. INVENTOR

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: have read with great interest the article
on the perfected telegraph. published IN The Sun
day Tribune OF October L. and am pleased to sss
this chapter added the history OF this wonderful
invention
The distinguished man whose work in connection
with the telegraph has received worldwide rec
/ OgnitOn fortunate in eulistins the enthusiasm
aud material support OF young Nj Vail a crit
cal time. for without these. like many another
struggling genius, he might have fallen short C
the splendid triumph which he finally achieved
Indeed. even after the contribution Of this aid
there came a period Of distrust and uncertainty.
when the issue was imperiled and the discourage
menJ OF the father Of Mr.. Vail. from whom the
financial backing really came. almost threatened
TO put a stop TO the experiments then in progress.
upon which so much depended Thoss were dark
moments TO the great inventor. but he roied On
with a serene confidence. and success al last re-
warded him. Later a whole world conceded The
grandeur OF his discovery. lauded hiS genius and
showsred him with honors and surely The mar
who wrought 50 weH was entitled 20 the distinction
given 20 him.
But contemporary with him. ard absorbed in the
study of the sans principles. was another mars
poor blacksmith in a country town. whose work Il
quite unknown outside his own State. and whoss
name IS seldom mentioned. except there. IN cor
nsction with this great discovery He stood. IL
deed on the threshold Of success and was able Il
look beyond TO the triumphant application OF his
theories in the vision which his faith and expert
ments had inspired. but for himself IL was u
be that he should participate in the sreat con
summation.
Prompted evidently by his work. and possibly
that of others then in progress. The Nsw-York
Observer in the summer OF 1SS7 said:
\ gentleman OF our acquaintance several years
commGnleit<d almost instantaneo5sIy hundreds, if
NOT 9To5y % % so pTG,eI7 gy ea ,e q o ySg s
ure. anu eXtendlns between PAGES SAaS ~l9SsSS
occupies no perCepuole time in passing many miles
ON "A wine and If IL is possible, by connecting ona
oIbr IL is GbyioI fbst if fhsre ave rvvsnfv-four
wiIes each rSpresentine letter Of rhs alphabet.
they may BE- connected with the battery s1ccSs
order oi the letters o. any word or sentence that
person StandinS at the other end OF the VIE A.
the paragraphs Of a newspaper could thus %
,snts. verbatim 81 iitsratim conveyed 10 New-YOrk
as fast as a compostcr could set Up the types
Such form q the teiegraphic idea was tnds-
psndently discovered by the man OF whom Wrlte
between 1854 and 1857 put practical opera
tion.nIst IN his home, aLnSus me mis- IS t o. ~
exhibit his electrical contrtvances. -,
This device was wholly an orisinal coneeguO9S ~
with him. aud was worked out before ne AAST ASISs ~
the experiments ot others in the same line Wals
ni Frofcis"r SIoTse Who became Welcome visitor
his rooms, l have been told and learned
So il seems To me that ii Justice be done, as
Vail the name of Thomas Davenport OF Brandon.
Vt, blacksmith and student inventor and pAloSstSh psth
That Of samuel f. II Morse in the history Of he
electro magnetic telegi 3ph. DaNenp0lL ClScuNS-0
and applied the principle necessary tor TIE sr Ia.s
mission OF messages by electro-ra s'lelle pow a
over wires Struu, Between given points. but useI
wire for each letter of the alphabet Morse -. -
proved upOn this. and with the sign alpIlaosI,ast
CompIished the same end with sinsle wire, 80
made great discovery, and IN hehor Ol u w.
great enough 20 he divided between them ,o..7-
Rutland. Vt. Oct -. 19oc- NEhNO+NA'
THE RECEI less DRIVING or AUTONIOBILES'
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: thank you for the editorial IN I" !,
days issue in regard to the reckless driving q
automobiles -
1 have no objection TO thclr speed when no e. g.
Is in sight but when they approach me ana e. e.
utterly regardless, of the consequences they ~
cause, feel that there T. no penalty severe snons
10 tmTOse greatly p.eassd that the 4onAS5.-
judge had the courage 20 carry out MS SSu.ifs -
ton to the extent of the law I think THIS II si'~
first that have heard OF Imprisonment s,-s
There will he fewer accidents and more eolaao 1,S