The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-07-28
WASHINGTON NEWS.
WASHINGTON NEWS.
BUSINESS IN THE WAR DEPARTMENT-THE PATENT LAWS
Pol


BUSINESS IN THE WAR DEPARTMENT-THE PATENT LAWS,
POLITICAL.
Business accumuates to such an extent in the
War Department that Secretary Floyd, who ex-
pected to be able TO leave for Old Point Comfort
has altogether abandoned the idea of leav.
ing Washington for the present Much OF the
business of Congress was left contingent upon the
action of the departments, and especially the War
Department, and in many instances the legislation
relating to of the departments has been hasty
loose and sly which necessarily increases the du
ties OF the AttorneyGeneral, whose legal opinion is
constantly sought. Special Cabinet meetings are
almost of daily occurrence to interpret or complete
some unfinished law of Congress. Senator Davis
law forbidding the purchase by the Navy or War
Departments of any patented article, also forbids
the purchase of any article in the Ordnance De-
partmenJ without first advertising, in order that
the contract may be awarded to the lowest bidder.
To apply this ruleto the purchase of POWDER leaves
no discretionary power whereby the article can be
tested in order to ascertain its quality; hence
poor article is as liable to be purchased as a good
one.
The Commissioner of Patents has affirmed the
decision of the Board of Appeals, to the effect
that it is not compliance with the statute on the
part OF the othce to refuse patent because the
thing claimed as patentable had been seen by an
Examiner of the office some twenty years before.
In a reference like the present, says the Commits
sioner, existing solely in the knowledge of the Ex
aminer, the party applying for a patent would
have means of forming Judgment except by
examination of the machine or device referred
to- He is therefore, entitled to be furnished with
such information in regard to its whereabouts as
will enable him to begin his search for it with
reasonable degree of success. In other words, he
should be told not where it was, but where it is
now to be found.
A gentleman just from North Carolina states that
prominent Douglas men in that State declare that
an electoral ticket for him will be brought out at
no distant day. So, aso such intelligence reaches
here by letters from Mississippi; but the prospects
of any considerable vote for Judge Douglas in
those States looks worse than in any Southern
State except South Carolina 1t is stated by init
mate friends of Gov. Wise that he will take ex-
IRENE Southern ground at the Convention which
meets at Charlottesville the 18th of August
Gov. Letcher says that he has as yet expressed no
opinion to the Presidential candidates, but will
seek to unite the two wings of the Democracy in
Virginia upon electoral ticket. Mr.. Slidell
says that Mr.. Breckenridge will beat the vote for
both Douglas and Mr.. Bell in Louisiana.
Hon. j. Morton, President of the Greenbrier
White Sulphur Spring, has, on behalf of the direc-
tors, formally rendered the Inequalities of that
famous watering place to Senator Douglas
This is the great summer resort for Southerners,
and such an invitation from the leading of its
vicinity is deemed as indicative of the popularity
of the "Litte Giant in that section or else a
strong desire for star to aid in filling up the no.
tel. In is not improbable that the invitation will
be accepted, as it is already rumored that Judge
Douglas has an extensive Southern tour in con-
temptation, responsive to numerous pressing
quests from his friends.
THE GREAT JAPANESE RECEPTION IN New YoRK-
OFFICIAL CoRRUPrIoN.-In the Supreme Court,
Chambers, this morning, Levi S. Chatfeld served
a notice of motion upon the Mayor and Robert It.
Haws that he will apply for an injunction to res
train the defendants from paying any of the bills
for the japanese reception, and particularly that
of the Messrs. Lelands In the affidavts the plain
tiff alleges that he is informed and believes that
the Committee on Reception and members of the
Common Council sold tickets for the ball at prices
ranging from $40 to 500 the proceeds ofwhich
appropriated to their own use; that the money of
the Taxpayers is proposed to be taken to defray
the expenses of said ball, and yet Taxpayers who
could not obtain would not buy tickets, were
excluded that the bill of the Messrs. Lelands
amounts to sol 900, but the plaintiff alleges, on
information and belief, that the whole expense of
the Messrs. Lelands did not exceed $4,000 and
that it was agreed before the bill allowed at
S9l 900 that the Lelands should pay to the Common
Council. or certain members thereof, the sum of
thirty three and third per cent; that it is the
intention of the Common Council to impose and
assess said amounts the taxable property of the
city, and that the Comptroller intends to insert
the same in the tax levy; that the Common Coun-
Gil have no right to expend large sums to enter
tain guests, or to make any arrangement to carry
out the fraudulent agreement above set FORTH
The plaintiff demands that the Common Council be
enoined from levying any of the sos 600 lat which
said expenses have been allowed, and that the
Comptroller be enjolned from the payment of such
amount.-N. Y. Post, July 26.
BREcKINR1DGE AND CLAY.-The response of Henry
Clay to the speech of Mr. Breckenridge, delivered
at Lexington, is often spoken of The New Orleans
Delta gives it as follows:
"Major Breckenridge, l congratulate you. You
worthy to represent the people of this district,
whose esteem and favor have been the chief objects
of my ambition and the most precious rewards OF
my long and laborious life;'' and then, dropping
his voice to the miller tone of Affection he added:
"My dear John, be true to your name. Never
forget you are Kentuckan and Breckinridge
and the highest honors of the Republic or what
is more valuable, the consciousness of having
served we'll your country, will be your glorious
rauord