The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-21

are not able TO give the subject their debeat
attention fear very much the present temper OF th
Senate and their inability 10 investigate calmly and pa
heny, that il we legisate the subject we shall onl
change the law to produce new confusion. #'
ton Of this amendment is that there is to be no favor
itisn When takes out paieIf he ia to do il unde
the same rule as b. II is that the Office shall have gen
era OF Epes. applicable equally to all on
applicant Snail not be served our Of his time, in prefer
ence to another Nothing in this respect will be left 10 th
discretion OF the officer can see nothing at all that
possibly be injurious or preudcia unless TO some on
who wants to get an advantage over others This amend
ment will cause general rules to be made applicable
all cases alike. which are to be entered in book
which book be kept open for the inspection of al
persons doing business in the Office The only possib,
effect that can see is to equaze the chances of jus
tice and equity on all hands
/ Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi The honorable senator
from New York says that there should be no favortsm
That is the reason, sir, why do not like TO touch this
nal inventors The men Of genius who are moi LAWYERS
and in addition there is secondary class of inventors
those who hawk about the Patent Office and other places
and who detect all errors and take advantage OF the rules
President which is most likely to govern our legislation
not the real inventors the men to whom the country
indebted for so much to improve and augment the manu-
featuring industry, the commerce, and the finances o
the country, but those who arc more lawyers than in
ventos who are constantly making their suggestions for
amendments Of the existing laws and seeking to mould
the legislation of Congress for their own purposes Now
the State the senator represents in pa there those
two distinct classes representatives from among whom are
atths very exertng their influence procure changes
in the bill now upon your table and fear that we are
not paying the proper attention to this subject 10 know
what Influences we are indebted for the suggestions that
are made -
Mr.. DICKINSON, / do not wish to give this matter
any more consequence than belongs to ii; but am en-
ely unable to understand how il is possible that per-
remote from the Patent Office, and consequently
as well acquainted with the mode Of its proceedings
to be preludced by set OF plain rules that to be
made applicable to ALL 1t seems to me that the senator
own argument defeats his position. Those who are
hanging about the Patent Office would be most likely to
be well versed in its in,ricacies and il they gov
erned by hidden back door and rules, that
obscure and not generally understood, these hangerson
would be the very ones to understand them; whereas
an individual coming from the country would find il not
easy 10 become acquainted with them. But were there
public book kept at the etce containing set OF rules
would have the full benefit Of them.
Mr.. DAVIS. There are rules now at the Patent Of.
nee:
Mr.. DICKINSON. Very well II will not make the
matter any require those rules be applicable
alike 10 all. However well the office may have been
managed heretofore, there certainly can be no harm in
this provision for the future would not be understood
assailng the management of the Patent Office under
any administration; but know that there have been
great comPains--as. for example, where the invention
OF had been taken up to the prejudice OF b. nowith.
standing BIS had been first placed there. Now, II there
any classes OF cases more mertorous than another
let there be general rule designating what those classes
and lei that general rule be applicable alike to all
Sir have not been mPertnent In regard TO this amend.
ment was one which was suggested 10 me Dy an
other and has met the appreciation OF the committee
believe s calculated TO guard the interests OIL the pat
enees repeat that there are any classes OF persons
that thread out the ntricaces OF The Patent Oce they
those who hang about the ONCE and become acquainted
with the business; and the honest inventor should have
the rules written so plain that he who runs may read
and he should know that there are rules that are pre-
scribed by law But will not consume any more ume
upon the subject for really care but little about the
matter ask that the amendment may be read.
The amendment was accordingly again read
Mr.: DAVIS different patents are referred 10 dinerent
examiners, and the same examiner IS not equally com
peent TO inquire into every invention that s sent TO the
Patent Oce Each examiner has certain class oil cases
which referred TO him, and these are taken up IN their
order Thus II may very naturally happen mat the patent
which Is submitted at later period may receive aen-
hon hrst With regard TO the rules observed at the
Patent Oce they are OF no secret character as the sen.
aior seems TO intimate The senator has fallen INTO
great mistake whenhe supposes by changing these rules
that he VIII effect something In iavor Oh Inc interests OIL
paentees who are remote IRON the seat OF government
The effect VIII be the reverse The changes IN the regu-
atons IN the mode oil transacung business WIZ enable
the sharks that hover about the Pa'ent omcs 10 lake
advantage Oh the ignorance Oh inose al adsahce and
the latter will be The sufferers
Mr.. DlCklNSON. IL as the senator from MissIssippi
who has fallen INTO the mistake, and not myself un-
desand the mode oil ransacung business at the Patent
Ofce and however the management OF the details may
be conducten ~ ~ matter ior which ne commissioned
OF Patents is himself responsible and the pubic only
knows anything IN relation 70 the faem omce through
hun these mauefs require ms auenuon ana whe'her
they are perfected day before or day aef oy The ex
amner they come undef hs SUPERVISION Wnati wisn 70
require 49, that ne sbal make rule py Wncn the whole
community shail oe governed
Mr.. DAxaS. y mol so now .
| MI DlCkiNsoN. IL Is al the discreuon OF the
Commissioner now 70 40 so or not, ana ne does not
L. III