New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-25
FIRE IN THE PATENT OFFICE.
Continued from First Page.

lOIneyS anu Interested corporations VIII selLc upon
every plausible pretext to contest improvements
on every class of Inventions where there is the
slightest obscurity in the drawings specifications
which Of course be purchased ut the Patent Office
all Of them having been reproduced by the system Of
| photo-lithography There Is one benefit likely to
result, however namely, that it will be likely to
/ inaugurate elaborate system of drawings, by
which an invention may be fully illustrated without
reference to the distinctive model This the second
time in the history of the Government that fire has
destroyed these very valuable evidences of the in
ventive genius in this country In addition to the
increased security that would be created by having
the drawings elaborate and completed, would be
the economy in and the security against fire.
ESTIMATE OF THE LOSS.
1t is safe to estimate the loss of tO-days fire in
the abstract. taking the cost of the models de-
stroyed, and the damage to the building and furni
ture, at $1,jOO,OO0. This is, in a great measure,
however. mitigated by the fact that every original
drawing and all the original records of the Office are
completed, and will, within twenty-four hours be
in the possession of the bureau. The original draw
ngs the most important documents in the office,
were saved afrer great difficulty. They were
directly over the point where the fire orig
| mated. The Patent Office has always been SELF
sustaining, each year turning into the Treasury a
round sum over the amount it took to run 1t. In
| 1866, when the Office was reOrganized under the
| present system, it provided by law that the
Patent Office fund should be separate from all other
amounts accruing to the Government. Conse-
quenily a separate account has been kept
| ny the Treasury. At the present time there is
to the credit of the Patent Office over 100000 In
the Treasury and while the abstract loss of to-day
is given at 81 800 GOO, it is more than probable that
the $780, 900 now to the credit Of the Patent Office
Treasury he suflicipnt n the actual
| loss caused by the fire. OF the 100000 odd
models stored in the modelroom, at least 10000 are
DESTROYED. These embrace all models in metal
working and woodworking, all agricultural lmpe-
ments, all models every department of mechanics
and engines, mills, all carriages and wagons, models
pertaining TO railroads, all hydraulic, pneumatic,
and many other minor classes. These models were
stored in the west and north wings of the building,
and were entirely consumed
Among them was the original cotton-gin invention
| which first made the cotton product OF the South
valuable agricultural industry The models
of sewing-machines and lamps much damaged
by water and very valuable model-that of the
original Howe sewing saved just as 1t
was being carried oifby some person who had Sc
cured 1t a relic
PRIVATE LOSSES.
Gheen & Osborn lose about 500. OOO on which
they have an insurance of 8 1000. divided between
the Manhattan, Republic. Niagara and Peoples
Companies, of New-YOrk and tine Shawmut OF
Boston.
Mr.. Stockstels loss is about 81 600; no insurance
given.
Mr. Chapin's loss is about $2J0O partially in
sured.
J.. G. Mattloch. the owner of the building occupied
by Mr.. Chaplin, loses about $1,000; fully insured.
THE BUILDING AND IT'S CONTENTS.
After the Capitol, and the State, War, and
Navy Departments buildings, the Patent Office ranked
with the Treasury building the most extensive IN SIZE
aud appointments OF the Government buildings at wash
gton. The original the burned structure was
begun about twenty-five years ago. Additions have
since been made until the completed Office occupied the
two blocks bounded by Seventh Mint T, and Gsts. The
total length 4j3 feet its wi 18th 331 feet and its
height 20 feet Marble, froestOne, and granite. burt chief
ly marble were the materials employed, Will the style
was Done Porticoes OF the same height as the main
edGce adorned the centre of each side, the on tie
southern side being the larger. 1t reached by
flight OF granite steps twenty IN number, and had
broad platform upon which rested double Of nuted
columns each six feet in diameter This was the main
entrance and frOnted Est. An inner quadrangle
was a feature Of the structure, and had diinen-
sons Of 265 and 135 feet. Two fountains adorned
this enclosure Entering from the southern portico the
visitor found himself in spacious hail. from which two
flights of marble starways led to the extensive galleries
above while the nam gwen the building would ind
cate that especially devoted to the Patent Office,
1t was nevertheless for long period the home OF the
whole Interior Department. On this first floor
the Offices OF the Secretary Of the Interior the General
Land Office the Pension and Census Bureaus, and the
ONCE OF the Commissioner o. Patents. The basement
was occupied by the Indian Office ana, until the Agr-
cultural Office completed in 1868, the business OF
that bureau was also transacted in the basement.
The moot extensive ana interesting feature of the
Patent Office and that which most visitors TO Washing
ton best remember the mode-room Of patents,
which occupied tine entire remaining h)or f0rmins oy
means of the interior quadrangle four larger halls ore
on each side which are said to have been unequalltd
for extent and beauty this Continent. The
total length OF these halls was over 1000 feet, or
something than a quarter OF mile. The entire
collection of models probably the most extensive in
existence Ten years ago 1t numbered over 10000 art
ces and many thousands have been added since then.
The South Hall contained collection OF Revolutionary
curosites and other relics among which were the ward
robe aud other personal effects OF Washington worn by
him when he resigned his commission as COMMANDMENT
Chief; treaties with LOUIS Philippe, Louis XVI and
louis XVIII; collection OF sabres presented by Bey
Ali Pasha at Alexandria in 1882; collection Of rich and
fantastic robes presented by the Government Of Japan IN
1889 and the gifts OF Tycoon to President Lincoln
Near the head the stairway was Powerss statue oil
Washington which was taken by Gen Butler from the
Louisiana State House at Baton Rouge one OF these
halls was termed the NATIONAL dhilcrH, uhu WIS WY
grand Four rows of massive Dorc columns rose to the
height Of twenty feet ana from their capitals series OF
arched ceilings ten feet higher while from these
cylindrical arch sin higher, and through central
aperture OF thirteen feet admitted light from above
Until recently Franku's prnting-press was deposited IN
one of these halls and among other objects Of historic
value which were there the original copy OF the
Declaration OF independence, Washngton's commission
as Commander i'll Chef and the coat worn by Gen Jack
son al the battle Of New Orleans.