New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-27

exists in that country. A typical Southern
demand upon the Federal Treasury is exposed
in a dispatch to THE TRIBUNE.
REVISION OF THE PATENT LAWS.
TIE rFF0ET To uEvisE NOT LIKELY TO DE MADE
soox-EFFoRTs or the SENATE COMMITTEE
TWO YEARS AGO--DIssATIsFACTIoN WITH TIE
PRESENT LAWS.
Try TELEGRAPH rRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-On one of the early days
Of the pre- ent session of Congress- Senator Herman,
chairman Of the Senate Committee on Patents was
asked by TRIBUNE correspondence there was any
reason to expect revival of the effort TO effect
revision of the patent laws. In q tone of regret.
the Senator replied that he thought not He re-
called the efforts that had once been made. result
ing m the framing of the bill which was brought
into the Senate two years ago. and said that after
long consideration by the enate, the bill had been
sent to the House and smothered in the House Com
mittee. This bill represented the almost continu-
Gus work of the Senate Patents Committee during
nearly four years of time, assisted by patent ex-
pcrts from all parts of the UniOn and by the repre-
sentatives of many of the greatest Industrial inter-
ests of the country.
The discussion which took place in the Senate
continued through several days. 1t was shown,
and admitted 10y all that the American system of
patcut laws had been among the most powerful
promoters of American prosperity, and that 1t was
chiefly due TO the fostering and protecting influence
Of these laws that this 'untry had become fore
most all the world for producing the lahorsavng
inventions which the distinctive feature OF the
present age. On the other hand it was brought out
with equal force that these laws were the basis
upon which had been built mp some of the most OPP
pressive monopolies with which the world had been
afflicted
The same powerful influences which led to the
effort to improve the patent laws by rendering
them less the means of oppression, while still re-
tanning their acknowledged advantages, are still
operative, and must sooner or later lead TO renewed
efforts in the direction. There s. in this cour-
trv at least n universal Willingness TO reward Win
wealth and honors the dscoverer OF useful appii-
cation TO human wants OF one of natures laws;
Int there is not willingness to surrender to him,
in fee simple the absolute control over the device
of which he is only the dscoverer and not the Gre
ator The spirit ofthe patent laws in fact. contem-
plates Indirectly the right of anyone to infringe
patent right subject only to the penalty OF payment
10 the invent OF of the loss he sustans by reason OF
such infringement. This loss is, however, the SUBJ
ject of such vide range of estimate that both in
ventors and manufacturers have reason to complain
OF the injustice which is done under the patent
lava -
olics in Agricultural AID other implements which
become absOlute necessities in the struggle forex
iSfencc and from that section comes the unwi9e
demand for the wping out Of the whole system.
Eastern Inventors. on the other hand. complain,
aud with great reason. of their inability To cope
sincle-handed with great corporations which have
seized upon their inventions, ana by reason OF
their wealth and the indeiniteness of the present
patent laws successfully resist all efforts TO secure
any payment of losses sustained by the inventors
Tie subject Is one winch coInmends nsEI 10 tne
action Of Congress and neither class will be salts
Ii d with any effort which does not bring about an
amclioraton of the evils which are now operating
both toward inventors and users. The present
nal nj system is chiefly beneficial to the middle
man-the mOnopolist who succeeds, by purchase OF
appropriation, TO the rights oil the inventors
COLOMBIA AND HE UNITED STATES.
An OPPORTUNITY FOR AMERICAN MERCHANTS
PREFERENCE FOR TRADE WITH THIS COUNTRY
INTERNAL IuPROV EMENTs-THE INIfRoCEANIc
CANAL
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE
WASHINGTON Dec 26.-Thc Hon. Ernst Dich-
man American Minister TO the United States of
Colombia is in this city on leave OF absence. Mr..
Irchnan left Bogota abOut six weeks ago. AT the
time IF his departure the country was quiet but
lately there have been signs of another political
ERUPTION, Mr.. Dchman SAYS that more than one
half of the foreign trade Of Colombia, which amounts
TO about 800 600, 900 year, is with this country.
lie thinks that with some encouragement. the
limited States might practically control the trade,
because the people would prefer 10 trade with us
rather than with any other nation. 80 strong Is
the feeling that the Colombian Government would
be quite willing to grant subsidy as large as its
resources would justify to line of American steam
sbips: and Mr. Dchman is Of the opinion that the
limited States would DC wise ia Offering a premium
for the establishment and maintenance OF such
line.
Ne ponts TO the fact that regular steamship COM
munication is maintained between Liverpool and
the West Indies BY subsidy Of 9So,0oO n year.
and remarks that il Is not to be expected that
American ship-owners will be able to compete with
those Of England backed as they are by the British
Treasury.
In relation TO the social and material condition OF
the people of Colombia Mr. Dichman says that II is
rapdly improving. Within the last two OF three
wears good deal of attention has been paid to the
establishment aud maintenance of public schools.
which are 70 great extent supported by the Fede-
oral Government These schools graded some
what like the public schools in this country. end
co,nnrise urinary intermediate and high schools
snec,al efforts have also been made 10 elevate the
standard of qualification among the public school
teachers by the establishment of normal schools
A few teachers have been procured from Germany,
and q strong desire is manifested to secure some
American teachers also. Mr.. Dichman says that in
this as in other respects, strong preference for
Americans is felt, so that whenever more foreign
teachers are obtained they will be sought In the
United States Mr.. Dlchman was asked TO engage
several teachers while his present visit. but he
advised the authorities TO wait until he could ar-
range 10 send for a dozen more at one time.
The Government is doing all il can TO foster inter
nal improvements. One railroad is being built
around the lower falls of the Magdalena River by
an American company, which receives liberal
subsidy from the Colombian Government This
road when completed will greatly mproy the facil-
ties for TRANSPORTATION. Already, in anticipation Of