Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-07-21
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

important patents now in use in this country.
In many instances the patentees having made
ample fortunes from them, or having neglect
ed opportunities so to do that were clearly
within their reach, to comply with their pray
or will be to do great injustice indeed to the
business of the country. In others, wherc all
using the patented article join in the request
for the renewal to secure perfection in the
manufacture of the article, or where obstacles
have occurred to the introduction of the ma
chimes into general use-or again, where the
imperfections of our patent laws have enabled
patent pirates to defraud the patentee out of
the legitimate fruit Of his invention as very
often happens, and where the user of the in
vention is proftted by it so much as that the
sum charged for its use is comparatively q
bagatelle, it is but acting in the spirit of the
patent laws of this country to grant the re-
newals prayed for.
In these remarks we alludo to no particular
cases for we have so far not had leisure to
look into the particulars Of any of the cases
now before Congress. They are, however,
applicable as general principles; and their
soundness and abstract justice will strike all
who will reflect for q moment on them. No
other subject is Of much greater Importance
to the business interests of the country than
that of the future Of the patent laws of the
United States, and the rights of American
patentees. We owe to the latter much of the
remarkable rapidity and sound success of the
progress of our national industry; and it is
sound axiom to protect, as far as that can just.
ly and constitutionaly be done, those whose
labors greatly benefit the public at large.
Always jealous as we are of special legislation,
We know that that is at times necessary for
the public good, and more frequently in con-
nection with the subject of which we write
above than with any other. Nevertheless, it
is to be hoped that Congress will exercise an
enlarged discretion in disposing of these ques-
tions as they come up protecting the true in
terests Of the public as involved in each sue
ceeding one of them with intexible frmness,
despite the efforts that will be made to super
induce the adoption of the policy of renewing
AS patent because BIS has been renewed.
The Nebraska Contested Seat, &c.-As the
delegate from Nebraska Territory has no vote
We have every reason to believe that the Re-
publicans Of the House will make wonderful
show Of mock magnanimity in the case of Mr.
Chapman, whose seat is contested by a Mr..
Bennett on the fimsiest pretences imaginable
Were Mr.. c. possessed of vote that would
be thrown for Buchanan in the remote con-
tingency Of the election going to tho House,
as flmsy as are the pretences on which his
right to his seat is being contested, he would
be hustled out with as slight compunctions as
they manifested on Friday last in the case of
Mr. Allen, Of Illinois. To have awarded the
seat Of the latter to his competitor in the face
Of his Mr.. Allen's) powerful exposition of the
utter invalidity of his claim to it, would have
been too barefaeed even for tie Republicans,
who, so far, stickle' at very few such OBJ
stacles as manifest justice, in working out their
plans. As it will be impossible for a new
election to take place in Mr.. Aliens district
in time to have the member back in Washing.
ton ere the termination of the present session,
nois will direct that it the new election) shall
take place on the day Of the Presidential cleo.
ton, when Mr.. A. will, doubtless, be again
returned by majority ranging from 500 to
1000, which will in itself involve proof of the
trickery of the scheme of turning him out of
the House that has just been carried out
Gesrge Laws Alleged Letter .-Bennet of
the Herald, has elaborated a political letter,
and published it with extravagant lauiatiop.
to which the name of George Law is appended
in the form of authorship. Well, George is
rich, and bleeds freely for puff Bennett has
an itching PALM" and wants to be rich
This ruse is too transparent for any market,
and will never bring prime cost any where,
Bennett is said to be very modest, bordering
upon the bashful. 1t must have been a great
effort to subdue this ruling virtue when he
loaded the letter with such crushing praise,
knowing as he did the hand lie had in it's pa
ternity. Try again, the purse is full and the
law is silent. 1t would be vastly amusing to
interrogate George about tho metaphysics and
political subtleties Of the Scotch editor. He
must be examined by a board.
The season.-Up to this time the season
(agriculturaD in this particular region has
been more favorable for vigorous and thrifty
crops than any other, for the past seven years.
We know of nothing that the farmer puts in
the ground that has failed to do we'll, and no
crop now making that is not promising at
least fair yield where properly attended to.
That is, except the apple and peach crops,
which were, for the most part, DESTROYED in
this neighborhood by the severity of the past
winter Our fellow citizens of city and country
have every reason to be thankful for all these
blessings, which benefit all alike, the poor
and the rich, and the consumer q, we'll 90 the
grower.
Al Wrong--The alleged list of promotions
In the Navy, confirmed by the Senate on CT