The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-10
From the National InteUigencer. !
MlI L, IL LII 10 u lII OH I,l,

An application for an extension of the patent of
MIR. Morse, in the Morse telegraph, is now pending
before the Patent Office, the period protecting the
invention being about to expire. The claim to this
patent involves the leading operative characters of
all the present known modes of teegraphing by
signs sounds dependent upon local circuit
The extension prayed for by Mr.. Morse has been
warmly opposed by Mr.. O'ReillV and few Others
who have long had antagonistic relations with the
inventor. The heard upon oral argument
before the Commissioner of Patents, and came on
on Monday last, terminating on Friday at 2 o'clock
=. NJ. 1t was argued on the part of the applicant
by Mr.. C. J. NJ. Gwn, of Baltimore and Charles
Mason, ESQ.,, late Commissioner of Patents and on
the part of the opposition by Mr.. Speed and Mr..
O'Reily himself. The argument took a wide
range, involving a review of the leading improve
ments in telegraphing which have a9v peculiar re-
lation to its generally operative character and pa,
ticuar statements the financial transactions under
this patent well Morse's original patent of 1870
Some facts which had influenced to greater or
less extent both public opinion and the decision of
the courts in this case, seemed at period of the
investigation to have been affected by the testimo-
ny of one of the leading witnesses in the case as
previously decided, namely, DR.. l.. d. Gale. 1t is
due, however, to Dr. Gale to say that he explained
the discrepancy between the statement made be-
lore the Commissioner in the present investiga-
tion and his previous testimony, so as to make it
manifest that the discrepancy entirely from
the incautieus of terms of art. The investi-
CATION further developed elaborate estimation
of the incalcuable value of the invention its wide
ly-extended use, and very hattering notice of the
honorable testimonials that had been Voluntarily
conferred upon the inventor by learned societies
and the potentates of the world. As the telegraph
is so familiar with our people the Importance of
this application will be appreciated in all parts of
the country. 1t is perhaps safe to say that, not
withstandiug almost every day presents questions
involving vast amounts and the interest of great
numbers in the Patent Office for the decision of the
Commissioner, no question of the magnitude inyol-
we'd in this application has ever been before deci-
cd hv a or hao oboro
OF the invention as mark of scientific progress,
adaptation to the wants and feelings of every m EN-
Der of society, and its utility means of instan-
taneous intelligence between the most distant
points, render it unsurpassed. Its pecuniary results
of fincalcuable moment to all varieties of none
tary interests and aid to governments for the
purposes OF both war and peace, would be difficult
to estimate its value No decision has vet been
made.
As apropos to this subject, it may not be out OF
place to quote here eloquent passage from a re-
port of Mr.. Thos. Ewbank, former Commissioner
of Patents. He said
Fulton rose, and steamers began to creep up rivers
next dashed over lakes and inland seas, and now
are rushing in fleets over every ocean. Whitney
appeared, and forests were swept away to make
room for cotton fields, thus turning the soil from
harboring beasts of prey to raising clothing for
half mankind. Daguerre, and the sun turns por-
trait painter, exempifying classic myth. Stranger
STILL Morse and his compeers have bridled the most
subtle, ftful, and terrific of agents. taught it to
wait, silent and prompt as page in a monarch's
antechamber, and, when charged with message,
to assume the character of courier, whose speed
rivals thought and approaches volition. From the
| beginning, means, more or less rude and refined,
have been employed for the conveyance of material
things; but not until has the transports tation OF
thought, of thought divested of aught visible or
ponderable, been attained. Indian runners hasten
with information through floods and forests, over
hill aid dale but to carry it they convey them
selves packages containing it, or as tablets on
which it is impressed. So also with the content:
| of our mails, minds commune with distant minds
through the gross medium of printed or written
paper; whereas by means of artifcially evolved
lightning postal system is established akin to the
through space unclogged by symbols and envelopes
ana consequently unretarded by carriers and post