The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-12-09

they were IN any previous year. The number OF appea
tons for patents In this Office the last year greater
than that ia any other country having been 35 against
1858 In Great Britain and 4056 in France For the pres
ent year the number OF applications will probably reach
5000
The business of the Office seems to have outgrown The
system upon which ii has thus far been conducted which
adapted TO previous stage Of its existence The wis
dom OF Congress may be proftaby exercised in making
such notifications as present circumstances require.
In addition 10 the business of the Patent Office proper
there has been deyolved upon the Commissioner of Patents
the supervision of the National Gallery and the direction
OF the fund annually appropriated for agricultural purpo
The former of these duties is comparatively of small
moments the latter of great and rapidygrowing impor-
lance
There seems no very natural or immediate connexion
between the legitimate business Of the Patent Office and
the subject of agriculture except in their mutual relation
to the industrial pursuits of the people But the revenues
OF the office being somewhat IN in 1885, the Com
missioner Of Patents authorized to apply $1,000 oT
the purpose o. procuring agricultural statistics For many
years subsequent TO that time annual appropriations were
made from the same fund for similar purpose These
increased from time to time until they reached the
sum OF S500o where they remained nearly stationary for
several years.
In 1854 the appropriation was increased to $35000 and
made payable cut Of the treasury and the appropriation
for the present year has been increased to S050O0 The
objects embraced in this appropriation declared to be
the collection Of agricultural statistics, Investigations
for promoting agriculture and rural economy and the
procurement and distribution of cuttings and seeds
In pursuance of the design Of Congress have
been taken to procure cuttings and seeds from every quar-
ter Of the globe where any product can be found
ted States Many productions of great probable uti-
t have thus been introduced and Others being sought
for wherever there is any prospect of success vessel
has just been South America procure cuttings OF
the sugarcane TO furnish southern planters with
fresh stock to supply the place of that which it is supposed
has deteriorated by continued cultivation without
Vation from the indigenous plant.
The front basement Of the centre building and the east
wing of the Patent Office have been finished and with the
exception Of the porco which in rapid progress the
may be said of the west wing. The north front OF
the building has been commenced and the foundation will
probably be laid during the present season. be
dy for the superstructure in the spring Another appo
pration has been asked for which will nearly complete
this part according to the original plan and estimate the
object being to press 1t forward rapidly as practicable
both on account Of economy and utility The entire sruc
ture, when hnshed will temporarily accommodate all the
bureaus of this department but this should not deter Con-
gress from making the necessary appropriations for de-
partmenal building, which will be much needed before,
under ordinary circumstances it be constructed and
prepared for occupancy No valid rerSan assigned
for further delay
must again call your attention TO the extraordinary
expenses OF the Judiciary and the absolute necessity for
radical change modification of such of the laws as
relate thereto The act passed the last session Of Con-
gress with view of curing of the defects has far
tested proved very beneficial The pecuniary saving
thereby has been large but this is Of little moment in
comparison with the sautary influence has had upon the
class OF officers il intended TO affect Still de-
veopments being made which show that many serious
evils have silently crept into practice in Of courts
which should be speedily remeded Most Of the Laws for
their prevention seriously defective and need revision
and without congressional action the officers of the treasury
and this department poweress. As laws now arc
conceive of no better plsn than nrust the depart
ment with sufficient means to investigate all charges that
be preferred whenever and wherever this department
and the accounting officers Of the treasury are satisfied
there ia fraud, corruption, mafoasanee in Office.
On the 30h of June 1885, there in the Insane Asy
lum sixty patients and during the fiscal year there were
received into 1t fory-seven eight have died six
dschargedhye of them being restoredand there left
the Both Of June last ninety patients II il in
most ourishing condition and bids fair be the first in
improvements
and viii be completed rapidly ia desirable The APP
propriatons heretofore made deemed ample for the
next year. except small amount for which estimate
has been made, for the Improvement Of the farm and
grounds and the purchase Of horticultural and agrcutu
raj implements and machinery Congress has already
hibited great berslity towards this institution and
doubt the results will prove that it has not been i'm
properly bestowed
The number of convicts In the pentenary is seventy
two Thirty-hve were admitted and twenty-eight dis
charged during the past year. The expense managing
II Is nearly equaed BY the income and The exceFa "a
beng yearly diminished
The act Of the 18th Of August last required the Secretary
OF the Interior TO select suitable site for JAIL at
the peuitentay In the city Of Washington and to
drawings and specifications 10 be prepared therefor
TO be submitted with estimate Of Its cost Congress
the next session Early taken to enable
to comply with the requsons Of this act The architect
in charge Of the Patent Office building was instructed 10
examine carefully the most approved designs for buildings
OF the KIND speched and prepare the requisite drawings
specifications and estimates for the one proposed to be
built He has attended TO that duty and furnished the
plans herewith submitted which arranged to
admit Of indefinite enlargement Of the building with
out interfering with its symmetry. The estimated cost is
Sl50OOO.
The act requrts the site for the new Jail b. selected
or near the pententary and the department is according
" confined to that vicinity. The grounds adjoining the
peniteutary on the east belong, informed TO the
government and the Jail is TO be erected In that neigh
bOrhood should recommend that IL be placed there.
Aside however from the fact that these grounds are
desood to be needed BY the War Department there are
serious objections to this locality which should, in my
opinion, be brought to the attention Of Congress before
further proceedings had respecting H. The grounds
low and marshy and al certain Of The year
there reason 10 fear the place would prove unhealthy
when occupied BY 30 large number, probably hun
dred and fy would Usually be confined there subject
to the malaria from the creek the side and the river
the other 1t would be wel, therefore to seek more
healthfu situation, and IL Is believed such may be found
which would likewise be convenient in all respects
to the city Should IL be concluded TO select another site
am satisfied from the examinations already made that
the government would be the gamer In point Of cost
the extra expense OF securing safe foundation upon the
grounds indicated by the act together with that OF filing
up the premises TO proper grade would be more than
enough TO make the requisite purchase.
In this connexion Il is deemed proper to invite attention
to the want OF suitable accommodations for the
court OF the District Of Columbia. An appreciation was
made at the last session for the alt-.on ana improve
ment Of ins courtroom heretofore used n common by the
circuit So criminal courts which has been udiciousy
pended, and Sy Of which that has been
deed convenient and comfortable.
These courts frequently in session at the time
and hence separate room is ndispensabefor the proper
accommodation Of each.
The Judges and the members Of the bar have recently
united in communication upon this subject asking me 70
urge upon the attention OF Congress the necessity Of
tending the present courthouse proposed by the Com
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