Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-13

4ElOE W Tic COmuSuCcIu6uL Vi the lubL FISCAL
year lst July, 1851 no ledgers or other books
had been kept in the Department, from which
the state Of its various appropriations and the
amoun.s in the hands Of its agents could be
ascertained without resort to those kept at the
Treasury. The proper books were, therefore,
provided, and system devised to supply this
important defect; and now the balance to the
credit of any appropriation can be readily ascer
tained and payments or advances made, as the
public service requires, or the means at the
command of the Department will admit. The
adoption of this plan has enabled the Depart
Inent to ascertain and correct what it conceived
TO be mischievous practice, viz: the undue
accumulation of public funds in the hands of
officers who act as discussing agents.
On the 3lst of March, 1916, there
was in the hands ofpension agents 8
alone the sum of. ............... $l,O4l ,495 10
On the 31st of March, 1916. ....... 6Sl, 7S6 "a
On the 3lst Of March, 1S49. ....... 950,91S IS
On the 3lst OF March, 1850. ....... 74S,900 81
On the 3lst of March, 1885,. 94s,475 80
AS constituting this sum in part, the agents
had, under some acts, enough money to meet
their estimated demands for several years, and
they were required to repay it into the Treasury,
which has been done in the adjustment of their
accounts
During the last fiscal year advances have
been made to pension agents, with strict refer
ence to carefully prepared estimates Of the
amounts necessary to meet probable demands
upon them; and by this course the amount in
their hands has been reduced from $948, Ats 80,
on the 3lst March, 1853, to $393,80l 20, on
the 30th June last. No difficulty has existed
in procuring agents to pay pensions. On the
contrary, such offices are sought after With as
much eagerress as others; and, from the large
amounts it has been heretofore customary for
them constantly to have on hand, it is not
doubted but that they have been fully compen-
stated for their services.
The Mexican boundary survey is presumed
to have been recommended in the field, and no
doubt was entertained of its completion under
the accomplished officer at its head, within the
time and amount estimated; but recent intelli-
gence from the commission has reached the
Department, which may render further APP
preparation necessary.
An appropriation of $4,000 will be required
to complete the maps and drawings Of the pre-
vious survey. The whole estimate for this pur-
pose was $4,000, but as $4,000 was all that
could be economically expended during the
fiscal year, that sum only was asked for.
The boundary line between the United States
and the British provinces in the northwest, as
designated in the convention of June, 1876,
deserves attention. That part especially which
separates the Territory of Washington from
the British possessions, should be traced and
marked. As the British government is under
stood to be ready to cooperate, there should
be no delay on our part.
The Territory OF Washington is in process
Of settlement and difficulties have already
arisen in regard to the extent Of the rights Of
the Hudson's Bay and Puget Sound Compa-
MES, and the interests of many of our citizens
are involved in the controversy. As yet, not
very much value has attached to the country,
and it is a question of moment whether it is
not the wisest policy to settle these claims at
once. They can probably be extinguished for
a reasonable consideration; if so, il should be
done.
The Patent Office is in excellent condition,
and the manner in which its affairs are con.
Quoted gives universal satisfaction. Still, the
character of the force, as now authorized by
law, Is not such as to attain the accomplish
ment Of all that could be desired. By adopt
ing new arrangement-the result of urgent
necessity-the Commissioner has dispatched
more than the usual amount Of business. In
stead Of six principal examiners, with two as
sstants each, there have been, practically, since
shChiob VI a pAhiootJ CiCNCu
each with one assistant. Thus, instead Of the
usual tedious delays, most of the work is up to
date.
Since the first Of January last there have
been issued upwards of sixteen hundred pat
ents, and, within the year, the number will
reach nineteen hundred, which will be about
double the number issued during the last year.
The arrangement by which this result HIS
been produced was judicous, and has proved
satisfactory to all parties interested.
Several amendments to the patent laws were
suggested last year. Those ofthe most imme-
date and pressing necessity are, provision for
taking testimony, appeals, and prescribing
new rate Of fees.
Many questions Of great importance are fire.
quently pending before the Patent Office, de-
pending, for correct decision, upon the testi-
mony of witnesses, and there is no power pro-
vided of compelling them to give it. Nothing
is more common than for a witness to refuse TO
attend an examination, or to give testimony
after he has attended.
The law now allows any person, who APP
peals from the decision OF the Commissioners of
Patents, to select which of the three Judges of
the circuit court Of the District he chooses. be-
fore whom 10 bring his appeal The chief JUS
tce OF that court will probably never again be
able TO entertain an appeal, so that taking an
appeal before him is tantamount TO its post
'ponement during the term of his natural life /;
and even after his death there may be some
question whether the delay will be at an end.
By such an abuse Of the law case has beef
suspended in this manner, for nearly two
years, and may be continued for an indefinite
period.
The rate Of fees was fixed at time when
the real value Of money was much greater, in
proportion 10 its nominal value, than at the
present time.
The pay Of the employees in the Office has
been much increased by Congress, and in vari-
GUS other ways its expenses have been largely
augmented, whilst the fees have remained the
same. In addition 70 this, the force Of the bu-
reau has been considerably increased, in order
to dispose of the accumulation Of business.
From all these causes the inevitable conse-
quence has been, that during the current year,
the expenses Of the Office have been continu.
ally exceeding the revenue and such will con.
time to be the case until the increase of the
revenue shall have been provided for.
Such reorganization Of the examining corps
as will place all its members on n proper foot.