The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-23

As the strict examination OF all inventions sought to be
patented which forms prominent feature IN our sys
tem does not prevail in the transatlantic governments
referred to- correct estimate would be arrived at
by comparing, not the patents Issued amounting to
twenty nine hundred and ten-but the number OF APP
plicatiOnsfour thousand seven hundred and seventy
one-wth the patents granted by the foreign govern
ments during the period of time 1t known that
at least s53-probably more-of the Belgian patents
those of France and other governments rcssucd
Notwithstanding the ietters flung by imperial hands
athwart the tides of French genius they still obey the
heroic impulses impaired to them by the revolution of
$780, and continue with equal daring and to change
the forms of government and the fashion of the mnutes
articles of trade 1t is i'm the light of the evening
puscule of that revolution that French science still pu
sues its sublime career In Rlssawhosc government is
vcrgng upon the thousanlth year of its exstcncein
1852, 1853 and 1854, but niney-sevcn patents is
sued of which ftysx only granted to natives of
the empire being average of about nineteen per
mum in a population of sixty-nine millions. For twelve
months ending November 1857, the patents granted
amounted to twentyfour of which but thirteen to
natives of the country While that empire and the Uni
ted States the antpodes of each other in their polt
cal organizations, do they present developed in
striking contrast the results to which their respective
political systems tend That the intrepid and qucnchless
spirit of inquiry which inscpalabe from every
throb of American lie and which, from year to year. is
filling this office with the memorials of its achievements,
of the boons of republican institutions may be
affirmed without the hazard of contradiction As the
soil when exposed to the sunshine and the shower starts
into life the germ of every flower and shrub and tree
lurking beneath its surface acts the human soul when
stimulated and kndled by the influences of wercgu-
lated political freedom The above table, in its every line
and neament palpates with the demonstration of this
great and for most gratifying, truth In examining
it, passing from favored land, but note
that the light of liberty DINNER and DINNER,
does the inventive genius flag and dull apace until final
y amid the darkness of the political night which broods
eastern lands 1t is utterly extnguished Upon the
mountain slopes of the far East may be narrow,
winding paths in which, for uncountcd centuries, the
burden bearing camel has been reang precisely the
same spot until his foot print, distinct and Deep is
worn far into the solid rock-a fitting symbol of the
oriental mind beneath the crushing incubus of oriental
dcspotism.
Subjoned to this report will be found the usual cata-
logue of patents which expired during the past year
also classified summary of those issued during the same
period together with alphabetical list of the paentees
followed by the drawings and by abridgmens of the spe
cicatons which, under our laws not only illustrate the
patent, but are part and parcel of it. a.
While the statutes organizing and regulating the action
OF this office constitute perhaps the best system of patent
laws devised still the experience of the last twenty
years has disclosed various mperfectons in their povis
IONS the more prominent of which, with the remedies
proposed deem it proper at this time briefly urge upon
the attention of Congress.
In applications for the extension of patents and inter-
ference wide range of inquiry into matters of fact
Is often essential to the ends of Justice The existing
laws furnish means for compelling the attendance OF
witnesses for obligng them to testify upon such is
The interests bound up with these Investigations
frequently of the greatest magnitude, and as con-
sequence, refractory mercenary men, ayaing them-
selves OF this omission in the law have refused to appear
or give their deposons except upon the payment of the
cxobant by the parties claiming their test
mony Cases of this character while working the most
cruel hardship to individuals, have tended to bring the
administration of the government into dscredit, if not
into contempt No is perceived why the process
of subpoena freely allowed TO all tgating their terests
in the courts Of the country shall be withheld from the
parties 10 these important and complicated controversies