New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-05-11
The New Commissioner of Patents.

Ma. EDITOR: Zoo like Mr.. Erbsnk's appoint
men;, except that It has yet 70 be proved ths he
is as effective in the support Of Wing policy as
Mr.. Burke vas in bis opposition 70 II. Ike u IN
all respects 10 my humble judgment 10 other Sc
lection for the ohice could have been more likely
70 benefit the country.
j. NJ Ewbank is sningenious mechanic Of q at
skill in hi. own line. H. is an inventor and in
proven Of various mechanical contrivances Of &C
knowledge utility. Only few weeks since be
produced plans Of improved paddles,on which atrial
10 to be made on a national vesseL Il IS believed
thatthey vii materially shorten steamboat voy-
ages. He invented the timed lesden pipe. The
Journal Of the Franklin Institute has Published
many Of bis prsct cal essays. Numerous scieniihc
periodicals. Of Europe and America have borne
testimony 70 his efforts for the improvement OF
American mechanism and manufactures. Pfoos-
by one thousand Of the public newspapers OF the
Union have united 70 introduce favorsbly 10 the
public his deservedy popular work on mechanics
and bydrsucs.
2. Mr.. Ewbank is very careful, Perseverins,
and accurate collector Of statistics, bearing upon
the mechanical arts, and upon manufactures and
the public policy Of America ss herewith con-
nected lie IS a scholar OF great and varied &C
ouirements modest and unpreteDclng enthus-
sstic in everything that would tend to raise this
free country and its citizens and scientific men
higher aud hi cher in the scale Of usefulness and
place them In the front rank OF the oeneisctors OF
the human race He IS the author Of other curl
Gus. amusing, and instructive works, beside the
book upon hydraulics. Never was man more
mistaken than ] shall be II either the mechanical.
legal polit cal or statistical duties connected with
the important Department over which be has
been fortunately called upon 10 preside, are not ia
led under bis superinisndence with prompt
tude, fsithiulnes., ability. and imPsrtsity Ia all
respects calculated to confirm the public 10 the
high estimate il has already formed Of his char
acter
3. His time and means have been Literally be
slowed TO increase the usefulness Of our Mechanic.
Institutes and other kindred Associations. Hun
dreds Of volumes ia the Mechanics Institute L.
brery of this city are donations from Mr.. Ewbsnk.
0 ten ha. the disabled artisan appealed TO him for
relief-never in vain. In place buntns times Ike
the present such al Office as tic Patents j. rarely
bestowed upon one - DO had not asked for y.
4 He is intimately acquainted with the patent
laws. the decisions made under them the merits
of Inventions aud generally speaking the de-
grees Of their applicability to such cases as may
come before him for adjudication. II industry,
impsrtiality integrity and ability are tho requi'
SITES for this ofice, think he has them Mr..
Burke was violent partisan, AL Ultra pnrty poll
tcian, an old stager on the floor Of Cor Rress, con
nected with the intriguos aud intngoers OF the
last twenty wears. Mr Ewbank Is Wing, irm
in his principles aud aliable IN his manners he
will enter the Patent Office unconnccted with
cliques or wire pu ers, and ready TO &C. eHclenty
and pr mpiy for the great iute'es Of toe coon
try committed 10 his charge, aud OF inventors gen
erall,, without prejudice to any. II Gen. Ia, Tor
commits no greater bunder than tins cnoioe OF All
eminent scholar, bold, original th mixer, and
practical mechanic, in place OF a partisan lawy er'
or iudse of patents he will pass through his
term with more eclst than has recently fallen 70
the lot Of American Presidents. s. i.