The Grange advance., 1874-02-18

Rights, insWAieAsit iss said Mrr.. Brown o1
scott county introduced in the House Of
representatives q joint resolution asking
congress to repeal the present patent laws,
ana tnen gives synopsis of the resolution.
You then say this resolution has some merits
ana some dement's, and that you will point
ou' rev OF them. without at this time adj
vocat'n 6 or opposing the resolutions, SO.
ou ADMIT the fact that the people have been
numougged and robbed, by the present pat
ent laws, and that a change of some kind is
absolutely demanded. ~.
The writer here gives very full report
OF the article in our issue of the 11th inst.
out we deem it unnecessary to publish his
synopsis as the reader can easily turn to
the article itself -Ed.)
1nen you say, We are glad Mr.. Brown
mas introduced this resolution. if it has no
otner effect than that of drawing attention
~ 'nis subject. Let us have IL uthorough
olScusslon OF the matter and in multitude
o1 council we shall probably find that wis
uom which will produce just and equitable
laws upon this subject
Now, Messrs. Editors. I do not regard
you as opposed to the resolution of VIZ.
Brown, but ask an investigation and dis
cosslon OF their merits and dement's.
Therefore, I would contribute nv little
mite.
1st. This is Il new subject. and . very
important one to all classes, and particu-
1arly so to the farming class and therefore
should be carefully considered, and this.
IKE new inventions, should be II roroughly
tested. But twill bear the most searching
scrutiny, in my humble judgment. The
more 1t Is scrutinized, the brighter it will
shlne' like pure gold You admit the great
evils and roberies and think there should
De change, If there could be one for the
better, but seem to doubt and fear it can't
De done. Now, have not. any doubts
about it at all, if the people will only do
their duty to themselves and sustain this
resolution, it can and will be effective SOON
CT VI iater' am aware it is hard thing
10 change laws of long standing, although
us defects may be visible to all. if thew
could dare speak out their real sentiments
out interest or party dictation will not al
10" 1t. But Mr.. Brown did not wait to see
II q caucus would allow him to Introduce
THIS resolution, but, like an honest. brave
man, dared to do what his judgment was
1or the good OF the people who elected him
as their representative.
3D. How much older is the patent laws
than the tariff laws: they are changed al.
most every session Of Congress. Why can't
the one be changed as we'll as the other ?
why. will tell you the reason and the
only one, in my opinion The tariff is al
ways changed to suit capitalists, and piles
on more and more taxes on the already
oVer-ourdened mass Of the people. to fill
their pockets. But the patent laws can't
oe changed Or modified because they are to
DID, and if they are changed the farmers
Will be directly benefited by so doing.
while all will be indirectly. Every one
eats bread, the rich as we'll as the Door, the
high and the low.
The question is asked how is Congress- to
know what would be just and reasonable
compensation for their inventions or desires
Not as they do'now, trust, by sitting in
an Office and looking at small models and
drawings, but by practical tests of the in
ventlon, let it be what it may, Can't there
be three, five or seven practical, exner;
enced men found to see whether reaner
did its work we'll. Let the inventor. aftor
his application have reasonable time to
perfect it before he presents it to this com
mlttee or board, by whatever name thew
they may be called
Now, without going over long list of
the various implements that are in genera,
use' and cannot be well dispensed with.
sumce 1t to say this much, can't see anv
gooo reason why it would be much safer
anu cheaper to have it done in the way in.
o'cated IN Mr.. Browns resolution, than il
Is under the present system. There should
oe pract'ca' men selected, not theoret.
lcal' but men that have had experience
as farmers, and not such. men "a
as are generally looking after places that
pays well. You may ask what guarantee
that men would be selected a. indic.,ea
But will they not be as likely to be good aa
those who issue g E. patents by the thousands
Some good and some bad, but the misfor-
tune is it all falls on the unfortun.+o 60.