New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-29
THE PATENT COMMISSIONERS REPORT

70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: In your comments upon Commissioner
Foote's Annual Report printed n The TRIBUNE OF Janu-
airy q, you say Mr.. Commissioner Foote has shown
wise zeal in saving the public money in the matter OF
contracts hope he win exercise equal good
in the matter Of salaries think you do about in
creasing the salaries Of for know
that many places held by clerks, and Others simply
sineoures-that the persons holding them would
paid high wages for like work by any other employer
But there cases, believe, where persors
poyed as too low rates Commissioner Foote calls atten
ton to such cases, follows: Questions 10 the
patenabity Of inventions become more difficult with the
liner must alnarize himself with all the Inventions that
have been made in his cassnot only Ia this country but
rendered the study Of them profession to be acquired
by years OF labor. An examiners decisions involve nice
questions Of law Of SCIENCE OF mechanics The moro
recOnde principles upon which depend tao practical
OF processes and machinery must be familiar 10
or Indirectly upon his actioh fhe ability aud acquire
nents necessary to the proper discharge Of his duties
must DO Of high order-scarcely less than those
rect in sudge Of the higher courts Of law have been
strongly impressed with the belief that tho salaries
paid these gentlemen inadequate TO procure and
that time they would obtain Of all the and Oon
Of o than double Of what tho money
same as il those salaries had been reduced Onoha AS
and expert in tho performance OF their resign their
places for more lucrative employments Within tho
several whose services were Invaluable have resigned
and It Is apprehended that others win soon follow their
example, 1 think know the wishes Of inventors we'll
enough TO say that the sums they now pay into the
Patent Oce are insufficient they would gladly increase
them 70 secure prompt and correct action upon their
eases INC REDUCTION in the value Of the currency has
also operated with hardship upon other employees Of the
tax upon the country Sc believed that their salaries
should DO made to approximate what they before
l6l itsbould DO borne in mind that the Patent once
not burden or tax upon the Treasury Of the Govern
ment The patentees, By their fees, pay all the
expenses, and, az shown by the reports from the
commissioners furnish an aceruing fund. II Ia
from this fund Commissioner FoOte proposes 10
use money 70 increase tho salaries Of such officers as he
employs anc In doing so he expects 70 command and ro-
tain the talent and experience he needs TO reform abuses
and protect the rights Of the pstentees Mr. says
that from July l99 70 January 1862 from the day
he was naugurated into the Office of last year
the receipts OF the Patent ONCE $4,000 in excess Ok
the expenditures and that he thinks the excess the
present year will amount "a t0Q000. Now II the Com.
missioner cam by the improvements and refermatops he
proposes money, benefit and better protect the
patrons OF the Office who large and worthy class OF
the people, hope Congress VIII give him the necessary
power 20 do so. INVENTOR
Brooklyn, Jan. 49, 1859.