Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-16
THE PATENT OFFICE AXE.
Examiners Fear That General SLAUGHTER
is Coming
The Casea Of the Examiners Whose Resir
nations Have Been Called for-Ths
Patent Onice and Politics.

The request for the designations of Pat.
ent Examiners Hyer. Hudson, Morrison
Parks and Graves continues to be the text
for talk. 1t is suspected by all the exam
iners and believed by many that the quartet
named is but the vanguard Of a general
exodus. Changes in the corps Of patent
examiners have been rare. Dignitaries OF
this kind have fancied that their castles
stood strong. A man, in order to be a
patent examiner, must needs be a special
ist, and because of this it has been con-
sidered difficult to replace one.
To transact this line of duty efficiently
a man must store up vast deal Of purely
can only be acquired in the patent Office
and In the division with the work Of which
he Is familiar. People old in the patent
traces say that this is the first time In the
history of the office that removals from this
branch have been made without u known
cause.
Politics and Patents.
Politics. SO the knowing say. have never
figured conspicuously in the conduct OF
patent affairs. They can recollect bui one
instance and then the victim was fired
more for obtaining leave under false pre-
lenses. as it was charged than for any
other reason. This was the case Of Ex-
aminer Peck. During the firs- Cleveland
is said. a leave Of absence by placing or
file a surgeons certificate ut ill-health. OQ
this he was granted sick leave Instead OF
going to hospital or a drug store Or to 2
graveyard, Mr.. Peck, II was asserted,
bearded the lion in his Zen, invaded Cleve-
lands district In New York. preached the
gospel Of republicanism and shouted fol-
Harrison This was his atal error.
Soon after the Inauguration Of President
Cleveland an order came down from the
White House retiring the offending exam
this Is the only incident of the kind that
they can recall. They think, though, that
the present resignation request is but a
DO not understand it. Hyer is a man. it is
said. Of faultless record for efficiency.
With Examiner Sander. he has occupied a
passed upon. and Is not known in the Of
nee as an offensive partisan. He il from
Pennsylvania, and born of republican par
ents. but he has not voted the ticket Of his
fathers in eight years. has held aioof from
primaries and has failed to register. 1t is
said that one Of Mr.. Hyer's closest friends.
Gently asked Mr.. Hyer what his politics
were.
Said to BE Democrats.
Mr.. Graves. another Of the martyrs, is 8
southern democrat and Is said by his friends
to be a democrat of the leather lunged and
forked tongue variety. Mr.. Hudson is said
to be a democrat, but it is safe TO class him
as doubtful. Mr.. Parks, who is also to
leave is a republican. 1t is currently re-
ported around the patent office that the rea.
son OI MS uOWuIall Is tnat ne Is Teputeu 9
rich man. and is aged well nigh unto mac.
tivity. 1t is believed that all the gentlemen
named will make fight for the retention OF
their places.
This morning a lengthy petition, said to
be numerously signed by prominent attor-
neyS, was presented to Commissioner Say
mour, urging that Examiner Hyer be re-
tanned in his present position on the ground
of efficiency. An interview with the Com
missioner elected no Information. but II is
will be of no avail.