The National tribune., 1908-12-24
ANSWERS TO
CORRESPONDENTS.

CORRESPONDENTS
J. A. H., n. +. D. %. Portersv!lle.
Pa, asks: What u the number of In
habitants necessary for Q Congressional
district? II 1t true that the South has
q much larger representation per capita
than the North; and. * 30. why is It?
The basis Of apportionment under the
Twelfth Census. that taken In 1900, Is
one Representative to every fs4,182 In
habitants. We do not understand that
resentation than that allowed them by
law. Indeed, the representation OF
South Carolina, which may be taken
as a typical Southern State. was nine
according to the census OF 1880, seven
in 1S40, six in 1850, four in 1860. five
in 1870, and has been seven ever since
1880. OF course, it is understood that
the basis Of apportionment has varied
with each census.
G.. s. D., Springfield. Vt, asks: /
What is the customary or legal method
Of computing interest annually" as
used in a promissory- note? 2. How is
1t different from compound interest an
nually?
The usual method Of calculating IN
terest Is to compute it on the principal
sum originally due for the period which
has elapsed at the time of computation,
but by agreement compound interest
may be allowed; that is, the arrears OF
interest for each year are added to the
principal sum, and interest for the fol-
lowing year is computed upon this ac-
emulation, and so on, thus giving the
investor interest upon interest. In pop
ular usage 1t is customary to pay the
interest annually unless otherwise speci-
fed.
C. w. c., Peoria, ILL.,, writes: Please
give a short sketch of the public career
of William J. Bryan. especially his
military and Congressional record.
Mr.. Bryan was admitted to the bar
in the State of Illinois in 1888, and after
practicing at Jacksonville, ILL.,, for four
years he removed to Lincoln, Neb..
which has since been his home, and
where he also practiced law. He was
elected to Congress as Representative
of the First Nebraska District in 1890,
and served during 1s91-95, two terms.
His political career since has been neg
alive so far as holding office is con-
cerned, and has included two nominal
Nebraska and three nominations for
the Presidency of the United States. In
May, 1898, he raised the Sd regiment
of Nebraska Volunteers for the Span
ish-American War, and became it's Col
onel, but he was unfortunate in not
having any service at the front
S. W., Rogers. Ark, asks: Is there
any National prison at Portsmouth, N.
H.: and, IL so. what is the name of the
commander of it?
We presume that you refer to the
Naval Prison at Portsmouth, N. H,
and which is under the command of
Col. Allan C. Kelton, U. S. Marine. Corps
w. M. B., Brockwayville, Pa, asks:
Can you give me the hight, size of shoe,
size of hat, chest measure and color
of hair and eyes of Gen. U. S. Grant?
This Information to be useful, should
be authentic, and therefore the best
way to obtain it would be to write to
his eldest son, Maj.-Gen. Frederick d.
Grant, u. S. Army, Governors Island.
NJ Y.
C. w. b., New Salem, ILL.,, asks: 1.
How and TO whom shall apply to OBJ
tain a patent? 2. What does it cost? 8.
How long does it take? 4. After apply
ing for patent can one sell his right, or
does one have to wait until it is grant
ed?
1. Applications for patents must be
made in writing to the Commissioner
of Patents in Washington. The appli-
cant must also file in the Patent Office
a written description of the invention
or discovery and of the manner and
process of making, constructing, COM
pounding and using it, in such full,
clear, concise and exact terms as to
enable any person skilled in the art or
science to which it appertains, or with
h fol. te- III,
make, construct, compound and use
the same; and in case of a machine he
must explain the principle thereof, and
the best mode in which he has contem-
plated applying that principle, so as to
distinguish it from other inventions,
and particularly point out and distinct
ly claim the part, Improvement or COM
bination which he claims as his inven-
ton or discovery. The specification and
claim must be signed by the inventor
and attested by two witnesses. When
the nature of the case admits of draw
ings, these must be furnished, signed
by the inventor and attested by two
witnesses. 2. On filing each original
application for patent the fee is SIS.
The fee required when the patent is
issued is 500. g. The length of time
depends upon the congestion in the
office, and usually extends over several
months. 4. Rights in a patent can be
sold at any time. The ordinary ex-
pense of patent attorney is S25, and
1T is much easier to put your entire
case in the hands of some reputable
patent attorney.
S. w. p, Sterling. Mass. asks: Please
give me a recipe for making liquid
solder.
An excellent soldering liquid, which
has the merit of causing no rust on
iron or steel, is prepared by cutting
zinc into small pieces and dissolving
them in hydrochloric acid until the
acid ceases to bubble. Add about one
quarter part of the solution of ammo
MIA, which neutraliZes the acid. Dilute
the whole quantity of liquid with an
equal quantity of water. Another recipe
is: Dissolve in IL parts of water one
and one-half parts of glycerine and
one and one-half parts of Tactic acid
This liquid is not corrosive nor injuri-
Gus to workmen.
w. B. a., Alton, Iowa, asks: What
are the qualifications and how can /
be admitted to practice in the Court
of Claims at Washington? Is this Court
a Bureau of or under the jurisdiction of
any Department? What are the rules
of practice, and where can I obtain
copy?
The Court of Claims does not ap-
pear to be under the jurisdiction of any
For full information in
regard to qualifications, rules for ad-