The times., 1898-06-07
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS.
The Bill for Revision of Methods
in the Patent OfHce Called Up.

inc LOT fteN1SIOh OI
in the Patent Ofice Called Up.
It was individual suspension day in the
House yesterday. That is, that under the
rules it was in order for members to move
to suspend the rules for the passage of
bills I'm which they Were respectively in
terested.
After the war revenue bill had been dis
posed of for the present, Mr.. Hicks of
Pennsylvania moved 10 suspend the rules
and pass the Senate bill for revising and
perfecting the classification of letters
patent and printed publications in the
Patent Office
The bin contemplates a,reyision of the
methods of the Patent Office and that a
new classification of letters patent by
subject matter shall be made. 1t also
provides for bringing the work of the of
flee, which is far in arrears, up to date.
IL authorizes the Secretary of the 1nte-
rior TO appoint from time to time, in the
manner provided by law, four principal
examiners four assistant examiners, four
second assistant examiners eight third
assistant examiners, eight fourth assist
ant examiners, four first-class clerks, four
copyists six laborers. six assistant mes
sengers and six messenger boys. the an
nual expenses of the increased force not
to exceed the sum of $62, $50.
The economists of the House led by
Messrs. Dockery, Cannon and Sayers,
fought the bill vigorously. They MAIN
tanned that because OF the war no meas
ure providing for increasing Government
expenses ought TO be passed That was
the principal point of their contention
AHErh
that until the Postoffice Department shall
be removed to the new building on Penn
sylvania Avenue and the Land Office out
of the postoffice building. there will be no
room In the Patent Office for additional
clerical force.
Messrs, Hicks, Livingston, Lowering
and other members who have been devot-
ing attention to the condition of the
Patent Office and 10 the great need of an
Increase of clerks and an improved
method of doing business, declared that
now was the proper time TO make pro-
vision for the increase as the additional
space viii be allowed the Patent Office
next December. and unless the legislation
We're enacted now the subject would have
to go over until the next session of Con-
gress. They showed that the Patent Office
yields the Government an annual profit
over all expenses. of about $3.50. 600 and
contended that by increasing its facilities
It's business would be increased CORES
pondingly
Mr.. Sherman stated that with the pres
ent inadequate force il required about
year from the date OF application for
the office 10 go through the routine and
issue patent to an applicant: that as
a result, poor people are frequently forced
TO sell Their patents. interest in
them. to enable them to procure funds to
wait the delayed action OF the office.
After further debate the bill was passed
by vote of 154 yeas TO 5S nays.
On motion of Mr.. Jones Of Washington
bill granting to a railroad right of way
through an Indian reservation in that
State. was passed.
Mr.. Olmstead. of Pennsylvania from
Elections Committee No. ,. submitted re-
ports on the contests against Hon. Adolph
Myers. of the First District of Louisiana.
Gen. Myers enjoyed the distinction of
hs.ving his seat contested by two differ
ent partes-a Popuist and Republican
The committee reported unanimously
that neither claimant had any shadow
of right TO the seat; that Gen. Myers
had been elected. The reports were
adopted without dissenting vote and
thus this double-barreled contest was dis
posed of with the exception of the claims
for allowance for lawyers fees and other
expenses that the discredited claimants
viii present.
On motion of Mr.. Curtis of Kansas. the
Senate bill TO ratify the agreement be-
tween the Dawes Commission and the
Seminole Indians was passed.
Mr.. Warner of illinois submitted the
report Of the special commission appoint
ed by the President to define and punish
crimes in the district of Alaska and to
provide a code of criminal laws =" for the
same. It was very voluminous bill and
Mr.. Warner asked unanimous consent to
dispense with the reading. Mr. Mahauy
objected and The clerk began the moment
Gus task of reading the document. Be
fore he had proceeded far he was inter
rupted with motion TO adjourn. 1t pre-
vailed and the House adjourned until Il
o'clock today.