Evening star., 1897-04-12
NEW COMMISSIONER
-.--1-
Mr.. Butterworth Meets the Employees
of the Patent Office.
n, 1LSlL-- -tiit E,i.,t
his old FIRM TO CONTINUE
The Major and His Long. Business
and Political Careers.
ROPOSED DEP RT NJ E N 7

Mr. Ben. Butterworth, who today made
his first visit to the patent office since his
appointm ent as commissioner. and. in ac-
&C rdance with the usual custom, received an
introduction to the examining corps and
other employees had very little need of
such introductions on account of his long
acquaintance with the personnel of the
office.
The reception was held in the commits
sioners room. Mr.. Seymour being present
and bidding farewell to the clerks after
they had been introduced to Maj Butter
worth by Mr.. Megrath, the law clerk Of
the patent office. Mai. Butterworth greeted
all his callers pleasantly, the principal ex-
aminers of the office remaining after the
general reception. Maj. Butterworth made
a brief address TO them, telling them he
hoped they would all get along together
pleasantly, that he would do his best to do
so, and he knew they would do their part
to that end. He also took occasion to wish
the retiring commissioner a prosperous fu-
ture.
Probably never before in the history of
the patent Office has there been such a gen.
eral expression of approval Of an appoint
ment of commissioner of patents by the
patent bar and inventors and manufac-
turers throughout the country as in the
case of Maj. Butterworth.
Mr.. Butterw0rth's acceptance Of the pc-
sition was made at a great personal sacri-
sice. and is in its truest sense case where
the office seeks the man. The request of the
President. seconded by pressure by the bar
OF the country, regardless of politics, and
prominent inventors and manufacturers.
nEose interests are SO vitally affected by
the administration of the affairs of the pat
nVf ga lIr,,
to accept the position he had number of
times declined. though by so doing he reiir-
quishes during his fncumbency of the Of
flee of commissioner Of patents his interest
in the emoluments of the large and lucra-
tive practice of the law firm of Butter
worth & Dowel. which will pass exclu-
sively to his law partner, who will contin-
the business.
In 1874 as member of the Ohio senate
at which time he was prominent member
of the Cincinnati bar. He was elected 10
Congress from the first district of Ohio
lii 1873 being the Cincinnati district He
was reelected, and served successively un-
til 1883, when he was appointed commits
sioner of patents by President Arthur,
which position he resigned Ito take his seat
in the Forty-ninth Congress- and was re-
elected for the Fiftieth and Fifty-first Con-
crosses During the Fifty-frst Congress
he was chairman n of the committee on pat
enls he declined denomination for the
Il
partnership for the practice of the law in
ali its branches with Benton ]. Hail. late
comnlsslcAer of patents and eX-member of
Congress from Iowa and Julian c. DoweIi
VINO resigned the position of examiner of
interferences in the patent office and spe-
cial counsel for the government to accent
a partnership with Messrs. Butterworth
and Hall This law firm established offices
at Washington and Chicago, and a rap;d
growth OF business ensued. Mr.. Hall re-
centiy died Butterworth & Dowell contin-
ued the practice until Mr.. Butterworth's
recent appoint ntme#t,- with Offices at Wash
inSton and correspondents in other cities
and the principal capitals of Europe
While In Congress Mr.. Butterworth made
An enviable reputation as one of the ablest
ana readiest debaters on the floor of the
House. ''-l- -'" ''''''
New Department.
The talk about a department o. COM
merce has been stimulated by the appoint
ment of Mr.. Butterworth as commissioner
OF patents. Such a department is one OF
the strong probabilities Of President Nc
Kinley's administration and the principal
bureau of this proposed new branch of the
government will be the patent office.
1t Is said that President Mckinley and
MI. ButterWorth have spoken of this new
department of industries and commerce.
which the President is known to favor and
that in the near future this subject will be
brought up, and in all probability the new
uepdi tiielt cTedteu, ana tnat Mr.. Butter
worth. If he desires 1t, may receive the
appointment of secretary.
BY reason of the peculiar technical and
legal raining required in discharging the
outles OF an examiner in the patent office,
that bureau is necessarily non-political in
most OF lis appointments and promotions.
ard for this reason 1t is thought IL has not
received full recognition from Congress- in
the way OF affording ample room and prop
er facilities for the important work of this
bureau. although several millions of dol
IL rs collected from inventors have accumu-
lated in the vaults of the treasury to the
credit of the patent Office.
Mr.. Butterworthi's ripened experience in
the practice OF the law, as commissioner of
patents and as chairmal Of the committee
on patents of the House, and his extensive
acquaintance are regarded as especially :it-
ing him TO bring about such reforms as
may be needed in the practice Of the patent
once. and to secure for that office proper
facilities and room for the transaction of its
business, and these considerations have
probably largely contributed In again piac-
ing him at the head of the bureau.
Was Also Mentioned.
While commissioner of patents Mr.. But
terworth lad full opportunity to. observe
the methods of the men composing
the corps of examiners OF the pat
ent Office. and after resigning the COM
missionership and Iesuming the practice
of his profession, desiring an experienced
associate, he paid Mr.. DOwell the high
compliment of rendering him an equal
partnership in the firm, knowing him to be
Of spo:less integrity and exceptionally well
qualified for tine practice Of patent law, by
reason of hts long experience In the exam
ming corps Of the patent Office and as ex-
aminer of interferences and special coun-
sci for the government in conducting in
vestigations to determine the public use
of inventions. Since the formation of the
par tnership. Mr.. Dowell being a thorough
expert in the technique OF patent practice,
has had immediate charge Of the patent
department of the firm while Mr. Butter
worth. in addition to the patent law has
engaged in the general practice.
Mr.. Dowell was prominently mentioned
for Commissioner, and the impression OBJ
tanned that he would receive the. appoint
ment II his partner declined 1t, as Mr.
Dowell was strongly backed for the posi-
tion by the entire republican delegation
from Maryland and many influential sena-
tors and representatives from other states.
Secretary Bliss Is being congratulated on
the able staff he has called about him. Mr..
Ryan. Mr.. Butterworth and Mr.. Hermann
are all men of yell recognized ability and
integrity, and each has had large expert
ence In public affairs. e. Ia <s-
The Secretary appears In the selection Of
his staff to exhibit those rare. business
Qualities he brings to bear In his private