The daily union., 1852-12-11

win the publlcatlon IN greatly
siyle,of The meagre returns OF the sixth census,
BY reference the Treasury Department, il has been
ascertained that the of the publication of the sixth
census was as follows
| To amount paid Blair & Rives for publish
| Ing 10000 copies of statistical returns of
the sixth census $l37,3I6 "a
To amount paid Blair & Rives and Allen &
| Co TOR 80 900 copies OF compendium 24,773 SO
Cost Of binding 1912 81
/ Aggregate cost OF publication $l75,s03 AZ
Lippincou Co propose publish 600 copies OF
the statistics OF the seventh census two folio volumes
OF 900 pages each, on fine type and paper, well bound
with Russia backs, for the aggregate sum OF $49500,
being less than one-hd OF the amount paid for The pub
lcaton OF the sixth The objection, therefore, on
the score OF expense is proved TO be uniounded.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
The report Of the Commissioner OF Patents, which is
made directly TO Congress, will contain full and detailed
statements of the operations of that bureau.
The eastern wing OF the noble structure, erected and
ultimately TO be used Tor purposes connected win The IN
dusral pursuits OF country, will soon be completed
and ready Tor occupation Some progress has also been
made upon the basement OF the western wing and large
quantity OF material has been collected with view to
the vigorous prosecution OF the work next spring
The basement OF the principal building has been great
y improved by dressing the rough stone OF which 1t
built, TO make conform IN It's general ap-
pearance TO similar portions OF the newly erected build
| ing.
ernment in whose operations the public at large feel
deeper interest than those OF the Patent Office. 1t is in
separately associated with every interest OF our country
The mechanic, the merchant, the manufacturer and the
farmer all concerned in everything which dmiDshes
the labor OF production in any oil the departments OF IN
drsry. Our people are eminently practical and nge-
NOUS. They are constantly employed in the discovery
OF new means OF accomplishing important results at
diminished cost OF ime labor and money. The steam
engine the cotton-gn, and the magnetic telegraph are
striking and imperishable memorials of the success
which has attended their efforts In the early period of
our history when population was sparse and the prices
Of agricultural productions high, the labor Of the coun-
Try was directed mainly TO the cultivation oil the soil
But population progressively increases. more atten
lion is devoted to mechanical pursuits and the invention
Of machinery by which the work OF many may be ac-
compshed by few Not a day passes without furnish
ing evidence of this fact in the form OF applications
for patents for important Inventions and discoveries
The mechanical interest has therefore become one OF
great magnitude, and il is justly entitled TO all the pro-
lection and stance which be bestowed by Con-
gress consistently with the provisions OF the consu-
lion.
The general principles Of our patent system seem 10
have met with universal appreciation, and 10 have been
attended with benefcent results in practice Since the
organization of the Office in 1885, it has advanced with
rapid strides AT that date one examining clerk" was
enabled to make all the preliminary investigations which
required 10 ascertain whether the applicant
titled TO patent but such has been the increase OF the
business thai six principal examiners and as many assist
ants not now able 10 keep pace with IT, The number
of models in the Office the first day OF January 1896,
was 1869 In the beginning OF the year 1881, they had
increased TO 257 and al The close of the present year
they will fall but little short OF $4,000. If they should
continue TO increase in this proportion, making no allow
ance for the augmentation consequent on the increase OF
population by the close OF the present century they will
amount $50 900, and the whole of the present Patent
Office edlhce viii not be sufficient Tor their convenient
display To provide against this contingency, as well
10 accomplish other important results respectfully pro-
pose that the Commissioner OF Patents be required 10
have prepared for publication careful analytical and de-
scrptve index OF all discoveries and inventions which
have been patented accompanied by accurate descriptions
aud drawings which will fully explain the principles and
practical operation OF the subject OF the patent The ad
vanages of such publication would be almost incalcu-
ate ha iuva
covery by avoiding the casualties by FIRE and other causes
but il would multiply and dtIuse among the people at
large the specifications and descriptions and substantially
bring home 10 every neighbohood which copy Of the
work might be sent the benefits OF the Patent Office, In
much the larger number of The necessity for pre-.
serving and displaying The models would be obyialed
The pages OF the published report would be safer and
more convenient depository for them than the cabinets OF
the Patent Office and they would be accessible to every
body Inventors IN remote parts OF ,he county wond
be placed on equal footing with those residing
the seat oil government When their thoughts were
turned TO particular class OF machinery instead OF being
compelled TO make journey to Washington TO what
bad already been done that department OF the arts they
could al onoe turn 10 The anay index and ascertain
what progress had been mide by others.
Under The present system Il not unrequenly happens
that ingenious persons having conceived what they be-
leve 10 be new idea, which, when carried into prac-
tce will be Of great value, employ much of their time
labor and money perfectng their in eniion. and when
II il finished they come TO Washington filled with the
hope OF those rewards which the labors OF the
cessful inventor. Their application for patent ia pre-.
senled ana submitted 10 an experienced and skful exam
ner, who promptly refers the anxious applicant to
drawing or model, which shows him that his ideas
have been anticipated BY another and reduced to practice
many years before. None but those who have taken
pains inquire into the subject form adequate idea
OF the amount OF time money and labor which useessy
expended under circumstances like lhese 10 say nothing
OF the anxiety Of mind and heart sickenng dsappoint
neni, all Of which might be saved If such descriptive
ndex propose readily accessible TO the public.
The publication OF i wonld also tend TO stimulate the
inventive geaius OF the country, and lead aoi Only To
The development OF agents and processes but 10 val
liable improvements Vpou those which have already been
brought toto practical operation hardly necessary TO
add That such work would be Of great value IN the
vestsaton by OF justice OF legal controversies IN
volving the rights Of pstentees
When the index Is completed up 10 the close OF the
present year, il will be easy by annual publication OF
appendix 20 the ordinary report from the Patent Office
10 furnish complete record of the inventions and dis
coveres OF each successive year.
To be of value, such an index should be prepared BY
person fully competent TO the task, and illustrated and
printed and bound in style worthy OF the subject and
OF the naiop II would doubtless be attended with
large expense, but il could readily be paid out OF the
patent fund without encroachng the national treas
ury, and can conceive OF purpose 10 which that fund
could be applied which would he acceptable to IN
ven,ors, and N ell respects appropriate, in perpeu
ang and dfusing the knowledge OF their labors aud
presenting TO the public full description OF the existing
condition OF the mechanic arts and the kindred branches
OF science in our county.
The report Of Mt Stansbury the London Industrial
Exhibition Of 1881, TO which alluslon was made n my
last annual report has been delayed by beyond bis
control II will be ready be laid before Congress in
the course OF few weeks, and will doubtless be valu-
able and interesting document
aExIoAs BouSpARY