The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-22
Tie WASHINGTON Union on Spells,


science again 1t denies that it is sold to lobby
agents, spoils-traders, and railroad monopo-
lists swears that it does not favor them at all.
or course it adds, by way of strengthening its
denial, that the HERALD is polluted" "loath-
some NC. When the HERALD informed the
public that Mr.. Gadsden had concluded treaty
with Mexico the Union also denied it, called
our statement q gross fabrication, and, as
usual, threw in a little collateral abuse Of our
selves, On that occasion the truth came
quicker upon the Union than it expected ere
its emphatic denial was ten days OLD it was
forced to retract. We have no hope OF an
equally prompt detection in the case be fore us.
But we do not think the last denial one whit
more honest or more trustworthy than th first.
In fact the MONS denials are understood to
amount to nothing more than pleas OF mot
guilty" which the humanity of our laws Sc
cures to every culprit 1t will go on de-
nying aud denying just as pickpockets plead
innocence every time they are sent to prison
and win grow in unblushing impudence as the
number and disgrace OF its convictions become
more notorious.
Union is really the organ OF all the corrupt
and spoils legislation which has been maturing
at Washington during the last few weeks and
is now producing itself in the shape of patent
extensions, railroad schemes, aud other mo-
nopolies. We feel perfectly certain that
the publication of the first letter which
appeared in its columns on. the subject of Mr..
Colt tlta,tf ~, - II.
arose from desire on the part OF the Union to
further the interests Of Mr.. Colt also that
the second communication, adverse to his bill.
was published in that paper with the sole view
of getting it out of the scrape and furnishing
reply to our charge that the Union was the
organ OF the patentees; also, that the statement
in its last issue, that it has not investigated
and has not expressed itself in favor of Colts
patent, are totally at variance with the truth.
Now, the public has a broad issue between our
selves and the Union. The history of the Next
can treaty will aid them in deciding which of
the two is entitled to the greater confidence
We wish it to be distinctly understood tuat
we are not opposed to IA renewal Of Mr. Colts
patent We believe Mr.. Colt to be deserving
man, and we know his arm to be one of great
merit and extensive application. An that his adj
vocates urge in his favor is likely to be true But
we are irrevocably and irremovably opposed TO
any thing like special legislation for beneftting
individuals at the expense of the community.
We see no warrant and no necessity for the ey-
tension of any patent rights by act of Congress
That body has provided plain straightforward
way for ensuring to inventors proper reward
for their labors Hitherto that system has been
found to work satisfactorily and tremendously.
Under it inventors are entitled to secure amole
remuneration for the service they render
to the world, either by exercising their
patent rights for a single term Of fourteen
years only, or. in the case where the profits
thus gained should prove inadequate. by a
further extension of their monopoly for seven
years. Now, If this system is not found
to work well, we most assuredly all it. We
must dismiss the Commissioner Of Patents
if he discharges his duty in an inefficient or
improper manner, or we must modify or repeal
the law if it does not attain the objects il was
intended to secure, viz: the remuneration of
inventors and the protection of the public II
the gentlemen who are now pressing special
bills ON the notice Of Congress can establish
either of these facts this is the course they are
bound to pursue. But to pretend to appeal
from the decision of the Commissioner of Pa
tents to Congress without impugning either
that officer or the law under which he acts. ap
pears to US as mischievous as it would be 20
allow defeated litigant in the United States
Supreme Court to carry his case befose Cor
gress as last resource, We are therefore dec-
dedly opposed to the passage OF any special bills
through Congress for the purpose Of renewal Of
patents or any other monopolies which failed
to obtain renewal Ynder the established
statutes.
These are our views. IT The Union Intended
to convey similar ones in the long columns