The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-10-24
Correspondence of the Democratic Advocated
WASHINGTON. D. C.. Oct. p. 1885

WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 81, 1885.
Any one who has ever visited the Capitol
in this city must have noticed the frescoing in
the rotunda by the celebrated artist Brumidi,
who died several years ago. Various events
IN the history of our country are depicted in
mastery style. There are allegorical repre-
sensations here also, and curiously enough,
the face of jeff. Davis appears in one of them,
though the artist always claimed that the like
ness was not intentional. In this picture five
figures, representing Discord, are being driven
from the scene by the angry goddess. One
of these figures has the face of Davis; the
others are faint lkenesses of Gen. r. E. Lee,
Stonewall Jackson, Alexander Stephens and
Calhoun. | can scarcely believe this great
resemblance unintentional.
In one ofthe committee rooms ofthe Senate,
it is said, two of the children of Mr.. Davis
figure as cherubims. When this painting was
made Mr.. Davis was Secretary of War. 1t is
! related that the present Gen. Meigs, who was
then captain, at the request of Mrs. Davis,
prevailed on the artist, who thought them not
pretty enough for the purpose, to use them
in the painting. Gen. Meigs' own little son
also figures as an angel, and the child daughter
of Mr.. Walter, one of the architects of the
Capitol, also represents cherub. In many
of these beautiful paintings the faces are read
lily distinguished. Franklin, Morse and Full
ton represent science; Robert Morris repre-
sents the merchant, and so on. Besides ale
gorical representations, there are the finest
paintings and portraits of such men as Wash
ington, Franklin, jefferson, Clay, Sumner
and Calhoun. A visit to the Capitol, if for
no other reason than to view the magnificent
paintings, is rare treat to lover of art.
Never has so much work been done by gov
eminent employees, in the same length of
time, as in the last six month. Take the
Patent Office, for instance. There never was
known to have been so many patents issued
in the time given, as many as 600 being granted
in single week. This, too, without increase
of force Whether this results from an unu-
sual streak of industry on the part of the en-
ployes, or for other reasons, / leave the reader
to Judge. The fees of this Office are largely
in excess of expenditures, and it is said there
is to its credit in the treasury over two mil
lions of dollars. As patent fees are all paid
in advance of the issuance of the patents, the
great complaint by patentees at delay in the
office is well founded. 1t is said in some of
the divisions the work was, at the beginning
of the present administration, two years be-
hind. The rapidity with which the work is
now being done must be exceedingly gratifying
to anxious inventors.
During the year of 1884 Thomas A. Edison,
the great electrician, only added 26 patents to
his previously large number. It is said that
he has paid to the Patent Office for fees in the
neighborhood of S35, 900. About $50 patents
have been granted him. This is the largest
number issued to any one man.
A curious fact, think, is that great many
women obtain patents; some of them are odd
ones, too-that is, for woman. The follow
ing are illustrations Lucinda M. Head in
vents improvements in plo,0s; Amy Borden,
grain elevator; Eleanor Whiting, a car arle
boa and truck. 1t is estimated that about one
patent in every thousand yields the inventor
profit.
The Ohio election excited but little interest
here. The Republicans took things quietly
among themselves and attended to business,
quite in contrast with last year, when every
Ohio man went home to vote. On the other
hand, the Virginia election in November ex-
cites great interest. 1t is generally thought
that Lee will beat Wise about 10000, but
there seems to be some doubt about the Dem
ocrats getting the Legislature.