New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-31
senator CONKLING AS PATENT LAWYER

SENATOR CONKLTNG AS PATENT LAWYER.
The letter of Mr.. George b. Prescott, pub
lished herewith, corrects the impression which
he thinks maY have been conveyed by an
article in TIE TRIBUNE few days since III
which Senator Conkling was mentioned rs
having appeared before the Commissioner or
Patents as attorney for the Western Union
Telegraph Company. Mr.. Prescott informs us
that in the case referred to- which was an APP
picaton for the issue of letters patent to HIM
self and another for an improvement IN du-
pick or multiple telegraphy, Senator Conlllns
was retained by him as his personal counsel,
and that the Western Union Company was
not party to the proceedings. MIR. Prescott
is the Electrician of the Western Union Com
pany, and the latter has q contract with him
for tho purchase of the patent in question.
This being the relation of the Company to
the matter its own regular counsel was In
structed to aid Mr.. Prescott in the case, so far
"a was necessary to protect its own contingent
interest.
Mr. Prescott volunteers the explanation also
that his reason for retaining Senator Conkling
was " on account of his eminent legal ability,
"he being well known as one of the ablest
"nlawyers in the country, and because be was
"advsed by patent lawyers that he was pre-
eminently qualified to discuss the important
Questions of law involved in this case"
Doubtless Mr.. Prescott Is entirely sincere In
his belief in Mr.. Conkling's legal ability,
though there is prevalent impression that
the Senator owes much mole to his ability as
a political speaker and his success as n poll
tician than to bis legal attainments or his ex-
pcrience at the bar 1t happens however, not
unfreqaently that political prominence gained
by the gifts of fluency and political tact is con-
founded with reputation for legal learning
and ability. The fact that "tbo ablest
patent lawyers in the country" who have
devoted all their talents and the energies of a
lifetime to the study of patent law and to
practice arising under it should recommend
the employment of gentleman whose time
has been given to the pursuit OF politics and
who has had no special experience in patent
cases, would seem little remarkable were it
not considered that these gentlemen know
something about the influence which radlates
through all the departments from Senator
who is on intimate relations with the appoint
ing power.
However that may be, and whatever may
have been the circumstances under which Mr..
Conkling WAS retained in this case. we con-
tinue in tho belief that the practice OF retain
ing Senator's and Representatives in cases
which may by the remOtest possibility come
up for their official consideration, or which
ale in any sense affected by their political in
fluence or position, is Of very unwholesome
and mischievous tendency. Pnbhc opinion is
beginning to hold legislators to much more
rigid accountability than has been the custom
heretofore. Senator COnkling is not without
precedents for his action; but the evil effects
of this loose habit on the part of public men
have become so manifest within few years
past that reform is urgently demanded SEN
ator ConkliDg should not wait to be among
the last to recognize and respond to it.