"The Patent Office has been, during the past week, in a high state of
excitement, occasioned by the discovery of the operations of E. W. W.
Griffin, clerk in charge of the draftsmen's division, who, it appears,
has been levying black mail on the lady employes of the office, for
nearly two years. During the administration of Colonel Fisher, late
Commissioner of Patents, a large number of ladies were employed, for
the purpose of recopying drawings, when ordered by the inventors, of
patents already on file.
"These ladies were placed under charge of Griffin, with power to
retain them in office so long as their services were satisfactory. It
has been proved that Griffin hired the ladies at regular salaries of
$1,000 per annum, the most of whom he blackmailed to the amount of
$400 per year each. It is estimated that he has made $1,000 per month
for the past two years.
"The matter was brought to the notice of Commissioner Duncan, and an
investigation ordered, which resulted in the dismissal of Griffin.
"It is thought that there are other cases of this kind, and the
Commissioner expresses his determination to ferret them all out,
and make a clean sweep of all parties in his department engaged in
swindling operations, against the government or against individuals.
"The Patent Office has for a long time been considered a rich field
for operations of this kind, and investigations have often been
suggested, but passed unheeded by the proper authorities.
"It is openly stated that an investigation into the relations existing
between certain examiners of patents and certain patent agents, would
disclose a more fearful state of blackmailing than exists in all the
other government departments combined."
[We find the above sensational paragraph among the recent Washington
items of the _Evening Mail_. We are in a position to say that "the
high state of excitement" alluded to has existed only in the brain of
the newspaper correspondent. The facts, in brief, are these: In July,
1869, a lady, and wife of one of the clerks in the draftsmen's room,
made application to Commissioner Fisher for a position in the copying
division of the same department; and, upon the urgent solicitation and
recommendation of Mr. E. W. W. Griffin, chief of the division, she
was appointed, and has held the position from that time until now,
receiving as salary $1,000 per annum, which, with the full knowledge
of her husband, she has divided with Griffin, in consideration of his
services in procuring for her the appointment. About a month ago, one
of the lady's friends got hold of the matter, and reported it to the
Court, which resulted in an investigation and the subsequent dismissal
of Griffin. This is the only case of the kind that we have heard of,
and we have no reason to believe that there is any other, or that
corruption exists in the Examining Corps, as alleged.--EDS.
* * * * *
A method of testing the purity of samples of water, by watching
the rapidity of its action on soap and similar compounds, has been
introduced by the French _savants_, MM. Boutron and Boudet. The
experiment tests, at the same time, the purity of the soap. Dissolved
in water in which lime is held in solution, the soap is precipitated
in hard white flakes. If the quantity of soap put in the lime water
be noted, it will be found that the smaller the quantity producing
precipitation, the purer the soap. The _Journal de Pharmacie et de
Chemie_ (of Paris) reports some experiments, on this subject, by M. F.
Schulze.
* * * * *
LOUISIANA STATE FAIR.--The fifth State fair of the Mechanics, and
Agricultural Fair Association of Louisiana will commence in the city
of New Orleans, on Saturday, April 8, 1871, and continue nine days.
Over $20,000 in premiums are offered. Rules, regulations, and schedule
of premiums may be obtained of the Secretary and Treasurer, Luther
Homes, Esq., New Orleans, La.
* * * * *
KNITTED GOODS.--John Kent advertises, in this paper, valuable
machinery for the manufacture of knitted goods, to which we invite the
attention of all who are interested in this branch of industry. Mr.
Kent has devoted many years to the perfection of these machines.
* * * * *
KAOLIN, a white clay, used largely in the adulteration of flour,
starch, and candles, is found near Augusta, Ga., and is sent to the
Northern States in large quantities.
* * * * *
We are indebted to James Vick, practical florist, Rochester, N. Y.,
for a choice variety of flower seeds.
* * * * *