198 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



disturbance is only transient, and in every pause at the end 

 of a word there will be a sufficiently near approach to 

 steadiness in the potential at the end of the wire connected 

 with the electrometer to allow a careful observer to esti- 

 mate with practical accuracy the indication that he would 

 have were there no work of the line going on at the time. 

 A magnetic storm of considerable intensity does not stop 

 the work does, indeed, scarcely interfere with the work of 

 a submarine line in many instances when the condenser is 

 used at each end. Thus observations, even when the line is 

 working, may be made during magnetic storms, and again 

 during hours when the line is not working. Any single ob- 

 servation, or any series of observations, that are made on 

 the electric potentials at one end of the insulated line will 

 give valuable results. When an arrangement can be made 

 for simultaneous observations of the potentials of the elec- 

 trometer at the two ends of the line, the results will be 

 still more valuable. We may substitute, with satisfactory 

 results, for the electrometer, the galvanometer of very large 

 resistance. Jour, of the Soc. of Telegraph Engineers^ III., 

 1874,10. 



THE ELECTRICAL VOTING MACHINE. 



Monsieur J. Morin has presented for inspection a model 

 voting machine constructed for a deliberative body of twelve 

 voters, in which he proposes to simplify, in a considerable de- 

 gree, the tedious process of voting, and to economize the time 

 of an assembly. To attain this end the machine ought to be 

 prompt and certain, and free from errors as to the result of 

 the votes. It is composed of a portable table, having twelve 

 circular openings, below which are written the names of the 

 members, each opening corresponding, by invisible wires, to 

 the place of the representative named upon the table. Be- 

 neath are placed two small openings closed by small covers, 

 which disappear at the end of the operation, so as to allow 

 one to see the number of votes that have been cast for and 

 against the project. Each of the deputies has also two 

 balls, black and white, corresponding to the opening which 

 belongs to him in the table. The operation of the process 

 is as follows: The deputy, by touching a button, draws be- 

 fore the opening placed upon the table and under his name 



