The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-12

1865, there were received at the patent Office
eleven thousand eight hundred and sixty
applications for patents, and seventy appli-
cations for an. extension OF patents. Six
thousand two hundred and ninety two patents
Including reissues and designs) were is
sued, and sixty one extensions granted. One
thousand five hundred and thirty-eigh cav
eats were filed. Seven hundred and forty
one applications allowed, but no patents is
sued thereon by reason of the non.payment
of the final fee.
On the fret day of October, 1864, there
was a balance to the credit of the fund of
S57, III 90. The fees received for the sue
ceeding twelve months amounted to $780,
| 9S7 ,27. The expenditures during the same
period were 1852, AS, AZ. Leaving balance
on the LIST day of October, 1865, of Sll0,-
| $50 49,
| The commissioner of patents is clothed
with unrestrained discretionary power in all
cases of application for the extension of pat
| ents. His decision, whether favorable or
unfavorable, is final, and frequently involves
private and public interests of enormous
value. 1t is submitted for the consideration
of congress whether it is wise to lodge so
large a power with a subordinate officer,
without subjecting its exercise to the super
visory control of the head of the department
/ CENSUS.
| During the year the work on the census of
| 1860 has been rapidly pushed forward. One
volume Population was issued in March,
/ 1864 a second on agriculture" in March,
| 1865; the third, entitled Manufactures" has
/ just been completed and printed and the
fourth and last volume, embracing mortuary,
| educational and miscellaneous statistics is in
| the hands OF the printer.
THE PTcIFIC RAILROAD.
| The secretary presents statements from the
| officers of the Union Pacific Railroad Compa-
| ny, showing how far the work has progressed
| on the various sections of that road. Sixteen
| miles of track have been laid west of Omaha
| and arrangements made to prosecute the
work at the rate of a half mile per day. No
| doubt is entertained that the first one hun
dred miles will be in operation by July next.
On the eastern division, or Kansas braucb,
forty miles have been completed from the
mouth of the Kansas River to point near
| Lawrence. On the Atchison branch the
! bridges and masonry ON the first twenty
miles are completed, and forty miles of track
/ will be laid by May. The Central Pacific
! Railroad Company of Californis reports forty
/ three miles of track eastward FROM Sacra-
mento in running order aud the grading
| completed for twenty miles more.
| the Northern Pacific Railroad Company,
! on the 1lth of December, 1864, filed their
! SCCepbdhCe Oi Nue pTONlslons OF tub ACT Ol
/ congress entitled IAN act granting lands to
aid IN the construction OF "a railroad aud tele-
graph line from Lake Superior to Puget
/; Sound, on the Pacific coast, on the Northern
route :" and under date of the 9th of March
| last submitted their map designating the
| general direction OF their road from a point
! on Lake Superior. in the state Of Wisconsin.
to point on Puges Sound, in Washington
! territory. The records Otthe department do
not, however, show any further action by the
company in the premises.
THE CAPITOL.
The work on the capitol building still
drags along, aud the secretary does not init
mate that il will ever be finished. An ap-
preparation of 1915. 900 will be required TO
continue u until June 80. 1867. The library
is being enlarged at an expenditure of Sl46,-
900; and the architect recommends extend
ing the centre building and pOrtico to the
line OF the porticoes of the coverings, ami en-
| larging the capitol grounds.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The remainder of the secretary's report is
devoted to the internal affairs Of the District
| Of Columb ia and the attention of congress il
called TO the duty -resulting from its power
OF exclusive legislation-Ot making Just and
adequate provisions Tor its welfare, and for
tho Improvement OF streets and squares, the
property of the United States. The Insane
Hospital and Deaf ond Dumb Asylum are
stated 10 be under excellent management. and
conducted IN a manner TO deserve public con-
tidence. \ strong appeal is made for the
erection of house Of refuge for youthful of
Tenders.