Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-12-27

1t seems at the present time, that, not
only our own state, but the whole west
ern country, is shaken from centre to Cir
conference by the use and abuse of the
Patent Laws. Why these laws should be
so manipulated and abused, we are not
qualified to say. 1t is, however, well.
known fact, that every patented article,
costs the patentee quite sum of money.
The lawyer usually chosen to present his
claims, is one of the shrewdest the coun-
try affords, and it not unfrequently fol
lows that patents are issued upon articles
of no visable worth or use. We can as
sign no reason for this, unless it be, that
the attorney and official at the Patent
Office, effect mutual understanding.
This is not advanced as a charge, as il
might prove difficult one to substanti-
ate; but surely, it is high time that our
patent laws be SO revised and corrected
that they may not sanction and actually
promote the efforts of wiley persons to
rob, not only the farmer, but every one
buying patented article. Times have
continued to grow harder until it seems
an impossibility for those bound by debt,
W lClVdoC tuCuloClNCo, anu INV WlCu dil
are turning in every conceivable direc-
ton, and striving with more than nat
ural strength to get along and succeed
financially. comes into our midst,
a set calling themselves men,
disturbing the peace of our quiet
vicinity, by beginning suits, without fear
or favor, against those owning drive wells,
and demanding royalties upon the same.
The owners of these wells have once
payed all they are worth and this being
called upon, and obliged to buy again
their own property, and that at high
figure. must appear to every right minded
man, nothing less than highway robbery,
as such we consider it, and as such shall
we treat it, The source of these tyran-
nical proceedings we can trace to the
door of the Patent Office and those high
in authority there.
Foremost among our oppressors come
Washburn, Moen & Ellwood, manufac-
turers of the Glidden Steel Barbed wire,
warning all against buying any wire ex-
cept that of their manufacture, "undel
penalties" &c, sc, alleging as a reason
that they are "owners of the first patents, u
and by buying of them CONSUMERS are
in no danger of suits for infringements. u
A second reason they claim Is 'because
of the fact that nearly if not all of the
infringers are manufacturing through
small stock companies, as screen or
shield to avoid the doom that surely
awaits them in our present legislation.
We understand that already 5000 mott
ces have been issued in the U. s. Court
at Des Moins to be served upon parties
making use of barbed wire. Doubtless
farmers in Buchanan Co. will be called
upon to sustain their share of these suits,
and what surety have we that Westburg
may not be attacked. Meetings have
been called in various parts of the state,
to fight these damnable ou.rages, (for
such we feel that they should be called, }
and we are proud to say that Buchanan
Co. is not the last to assert her rights,
and first in the fight is little Westburg.
On the 10th inst. meeting was held at
the Centre School House, and about 10
of her citizens were present. Numerous
members of the meeting spoke of the
seeming or real outrages that are being
perpetrated upon US, and when it was
proposed that we unite for mutual pro-
lection, all joined in unanimous affirma-
tive. A committee of three was appoint
ed to draft resolutions, which were read
before and adopted by the meeting. On
motion it was agreed that the association