The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-21
WHIG.
MORE LAID AND COMFORT"

MORE laid AND COMFORT"
The unparalleled corruption and incompe-
,ency of public funclionaries under the present
Administration, has become SO injurious TO IN
diydual rights as well as to public interests,
hat widespread dissatisfaction begins to mani
fest itself, even ia the ranks OF the Democracy.
Those who are smarling under wrongs-un-
able to obtain relief from those in power-6nd
no resource left them but direct appeal TO the
People, who, in l84S, will doubtless give them
Trough and Ready redress.
The following letter, first published in Ohio,
we extract from the Democrat. II is to the
point:
'sSince the establishment Of the Eureka
as the alleged organ Of the National Associa
lion Of Inventors (of which am member
] have been constant reader OF its columns
Imagine, therefore, my surprise, on reading in
The number for this month, such an unwar
ranted attack on the name and character OF
respectable inventor, one julius Haich,' as
you are pleased sneeringly 10 term him, and
about whom you seem To know as little as you
do about the Patent Office, as appears by the
unfounded and malicious charges which you
make against him, aud your ridiculous eulogy
Of the administration Of the Patent Office.
am well acquainted with Mr.. Hatch,
whom you have so nnjusily treated. He is
the inventor OF Ha,ch's sowing machine
which has obtained the premium al the fair Of
the New York State Agricultural Society. as
il has at all agricultural fairs where il has been
exhibited, as well as the most unqualified ap
prevail of practical agricultuIalists throughout
The country. ,
g Mr.. Hatch is extensively known through
out the United States, and defy any man to
say aught derogatory 10 his characterize
stands as fair with the community as the edi-
tors Of the Eureka, or their employers. He
went TO Washington, where he now is, for the
purpose OF taking out patents. And here,
would premise, that Mr.. Hatch happened in
an accidental manner to become possessed OF
a knowledge OF the wrong doing i'll the Patent
Office, while making an examination OF the
models for the purpose Of determining upon
the expedency Of applying Tor patent for an
invention he was then engaged in. But even
if be had gone into the Office as an inquistor,
Cor, in the language OF the Eureka, as an
leaves dropper,O he, as an inventor, had an
unquestionable right, in that capacity, TO make
such Investigations touching the corruption or
Tascaty which may exist in the Office, as he
pleased, and report the results. An honest
department or individual never fears caves
choppers. or open investigation but corrup
ton and dishonesty always tremble, and are
afraid Of the light.
Mr.. Hatch is a consistent Democrat, and
a political friend Of the present Administration
and Of Mr.. Burke. As Democrat, he feels
an honest and commendable indignation upon
finding NAL administration in this important
department of government, when he knows
that 1t is so contrary TO the wishes OF The Pre-
sident And, as All inventor, he feels pride
an seeing tbs institution reflect honor upon his
country and upon American genius, which it
can do only so long as corruption and incom-
potency are kept outside Of its walls. lnAu-
enced by these considerations, he made the
charge to which you have adverted, in writing,
in the following words: The charge is this
that persons Unauthorized, and not belonging
TO the Patent Office, are allowed TO have free
access TO the unpaiented models which are de-
posted in the private and secrete rooms of the
Office, wherein the pending applications Tor
patents are kept He made oath TO this charge
before Justice Marshall, on the 28th day Of
May last. The same day he called upon Mr..
Burke, who received and treated him politely,
read his affidavit, and heard his statement pa
tienty. He remarked that he was glad that he
had made the charge in the form presented,
and under oath; that he had now something
tangible 70 act on; that persons had made
similar charges to him repeatedly, but unac
companied with the solemnity of an oath, and
he was therefore unwilling TO agt on them /;
that he had repeatedly warned Mr.. Knowles,
and now he was determined TO remove him.
He then requested Mr.. Hatch to keep the mat
ter private, and 10 make out more full state
meni, in wiring, Of all the facts, and 10 get
the person who was with him at the time, in
the model room, Mr.. Erkson,) also to make a
statement in writing. The next day Mr.. Hatch
called on him in company with Mr.. Erkson,
and several gentlemen from the west, with his
statement, which he read. In the course Of
the conversation, Mr.. Burke remarked that he
should expect him TO be prompt and diligent
in collecting and presenting to him all the in
formation he could obtain touching the charges
he had made, or anything else he might find
wrong about the Office; 10 which Mr.. Hatch
replied he would, and that if he discovered any
thing wrong in him, (Mr. Burke,) he should
complain OF him just as soon as he would Of
anybody else. The commissioner instantly
fired at this expression, and changed his man
ner, tom pOliteness to the utmost rudeness-
observing, that he was cut Of his reach, or that
Of any man; that he was head Of the Patent
Office, and that he should act as he pleased,
and correct abuses when and how he pleased.
That if MIR. Hatch had not have made this
remark, that his evidence would have had more
weight with him. Mr.. Hatch then left him,
and went before the Secretary OF Slate, and
made statement Of the facts OF the case. Mr..
Buchanan treated him with great kindness and
attention, but seemed reluctant to take up the
matter; observing, that he could find no law
recognizing him as The headsor the Patent
Office. sS
ITO the Secretary Mr.. Hatch made some
additional verbal charges, viz He charged
Mr. Burke with having private Patent .aoenc,,