1880. ] Editors’ Table. 881 
EDITORS’ TABLE. 
EDITORS: A. S. PACKARD, JR., AND E. D. COPE. 
The metric system is extensively used in this country, 
but not yet so generally as would seem to be desirable. While its 
introduction into scientific work is quite general, its use in 
mechanics and manufactures makes slow progress. This is nat- 
ural, but we believe that the merits of the system will become so 
obvious as ultimately to command the support of all who use 
measures of any kind. It is evident that such a radical change 
can only be made slowly, and be introduced under special circum- 
stances, as, for instance, in the commencement of new manufac- 
turing or engineering enterprises. Old institutions with extensive 
apparatus, would be involved in expense in changing their scales, 
and in difficulty in instructing their employés. But we cannot on 
this account endorse the opposition which has been displayed in 
some quarters. The fact that it may cost a given firm of manu- 
facturing machinists so many thousand dollars to alter their 
measuring tools, does not justify those persons in resisting the 
general introduction.of the system. The objection now most 
dwelt on, that the metre is not exactly what it professes to be, 
has, in our judgment, little bearing on the present state of the 
case. What the world wants, and sooner or later will have, is a 
uniform decimal system of weights and measures. This it has in 
the metric system, and its adoption has now proceeded so far 
that it is useless to think of proposing or creating another to take 
its place. 
We hope that the time is near at hand when a uniform decimal 
System of coinage will be adopted by civilized governments. It 
will be much more readily introduced into common use than the 
changes contemplated by the metric system. 
It has been demonstrated beyond all doubt that the Per- 
Manent Exhibition of Philadelphia can pay its running expenses. 
Even in its present inchoate condition it supplies a need, and is 
popular with a large class of citizens. But it remains to put into 
execution the classified museum scheme which was adopted two 
years ago, and before this is done provision must be made for 
necessary repairs to the roof and floor of the building. The 
former requires attention, but the condition of the floor is more 
serious. It is to be hoped that the subscription now on foot in 
VOL. XIV.—NO. XII. 57 
