Morning journal and courier., 1881-12-19
News by Telegraph
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. The Patent Business. A Sharp Contest for the Commissionership. The Candidates in Nomination. A Connecticut Man Among
 the Applicants. IA CHICAGO GIRLS MISFORTUNE.
sad Sequel to a Life of Luxury.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

The Patent ORce-AppIicants Looking
 For the CommissIonership-La
 Mitchell of New Britain Among the
 Candidates.
 WAsHMaToN, Dec. 18.-A lively contest is going on for the vacant Commissionership of Patents, left open by the resignation of E. M Marble to become land commissioner of the Northern Pacific Railroad company. The principal competitors are MT. V. D. Stockbridge, the present deputy and acting commissioner; MT. c. B. Mitchell, patent lawyer of some repute, of New Britain, Conn. R. G. Dyvendforth, one of the members of the appeal board; W. 0. Dodge, patent attorney of this city, and J. K. McCammar, present assistant Attorney General for the Interior department and aud itor of railroad accounts. With the excep- tion of the last named, who has had no ex- perience in patent law practice, either of them named would be able to earn more money in private practice than the salary paid, but the position has come to be regard ed as of great value as an advertisement for retiring commissioner. s. s. Fisher paid became commissioner, yet he surrendered this business to accept this office at $4 ,0O0 per annum and found his profits in the fact that his retaining the fees received within a week amounted to more than the entire sum received from the government for one years service. MT. Leggett left the office to engage in patent practice and soon became president of the Brush Electric Light Go. and heavy shareholder, and saw his stock go up from $100 per share ($4O paid in) to $4, 900 per share Every commissioner, with perhaps one exception, for the past fifteen years has gone into very profitable practice, and most of them have amassed fortunes. It is not, therefore, surprising that although the salary is small the office is eagerly sought for, and a warm contest is made for it. It is perhaps due to MT. Mitchell to say that, he has merely consented to the use of his name, and does not press his own claims He has the support of Senators Anthony, Aldrich, Platt and Hawley. MT. Stockbridge has quite a re- spectable Congressional backing, and is warmly pressed by large number of per sons having business before the patent office. MT. McCammar is understood to have the support of the Interior department proper.
 Senator Harris, of Tennessee, will leave here on the adjournment of Congress for the holidays, and will not return until the latter end of January. Senator Voorhees, will be absent at the same time, having an important case to argue in the West. Guiteau's Head-A Plaster Cast Taken of
 the Assassin-A Crank,s Visit to Sco-
 vile.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Clark Mills, the celebrated sculptor, visited the jail to-day with his son Theodore, the young sculptor, and made life mask of plaster paris of the assassin, from which 8 plaster cast will be made. The artists were accompanied by Mir. J. W. Guiteau, the brother of the assassin. He was in his cell looking over the papers when they arrived, and on being informed of the desire of the artists readily consented He was conducted to his large cell, which he terms his parlor, and preparations were made to begin the work. Mills suggested that Guiteau's beard be shaved off, because a much better repre-, sentation of his features and the genera shape of the face could be made in that way. To this he at first demurred, saying he did not like to part with it and that he did not appear so well without it. He particularly objected because, as he said, it would make his nose look so much larger. To this MT. Mills suggested that large nose is sign of strength of character, whereupon Guiteau with little further hesitation consented. The barber being absent colored prisoner was brought down and his beard was soon taken of. His hair being quite short was not cut. A closely fitting knit skull cap was put on his head, covering all his hair and coming down across the forehead. As this dried it drew closer to the head and in 8 few moments fitted as tightly as the scalp itself showing the precise shape of the skull, showing every prominence or lack. This was then covered with coating of plaster of paris prepared for the purpose which in few minutes had set. Another preparation was then made use of in taking the matrix or mold of the features. It was so tempered that it could be placed on the skin without injury It was spread on the face an inch thick, leaving the nostrils open After it had set the whole mold was removed. The interior was found to be perfect representation of the face and head, showing every pecuG- arity of the skull and features. This will be used as the mold in which to cast the head and features for plaster cast of the subject. It is intended for the use of scientists and other persons who may desire perfect rep resentation of the assassin's head and feat ures.
 A crank called on Scoville tonight seem- ingIy inspired with the idea that he must protect the assassin's counsel. He behaved so violent that Scoville grew somewhat ner- vous but he was finally taken in charge by his friends.