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Commissioner Fisher takes hold of the affairs of the Patent Office with an earnest purpose to effect a speedy reform of past abuses. He recently invited the Examiners and Assistant Examiners to his room, where some time was spent in interchange of views regarding the business of the office as it relates to the examination of cases, and he proposes to dispense with some of the present useless forms, in order to facilitate the procuring of patents. The Commissioner gave some opinions for the guidance of the Examiners, in order to secure more uniformity in the general practice of the office. The following removals were made—viz., N. Peters, Examiner; D. Curie and C. L. Coombs, First Assistants; T. H. Sy. pherd, Second Assistant. Appointments were made as follows: John C. Tasker and George A. Nolen to be Examiners. We are glad to learn that the present efficient Chief Clerk, Mr. Grinnell, is to be retained. Mr. Tasker is a native of New Hampshire, and is a skilled and educated mechanic. He was, for several years, in charge of some of the most extensive works at Lowell, Mass; for the past three years has held a position as First Assistant in charge of the classes of wood working and of metal casting, and is said ta admirably qualified for his new position. Mr. Nolan is a native of Massachusetts; was educated at Yale College, where he graduated with high honors, and was for some three years a tutor of mathematics and natural philosophy. He has been in the Patent Office as First Assistant about three years, and will make a most satisfactory Examiner. J. W. Abert and J. H. Hawes have been appointed First Assistant Examiners; James Lupton and F. S. Lawson, Second Assistant Examiners. James Newlands and D. Wilson have been promoted from Second to First Assistant Examiners. W. A. Gutplim and A. R. Robinson have been promoted from temporary clerks to be Second Assistant Examiners. Michael Marley has been appointed chief Messenger in place of Chas. W. Thomas, resigned. We are assured that these appointments will reflect credit upon the Commissioner and the Secretary of the Interior. Commissioner Fisher has granted an extension to M. M. & I. C. Rhodes for their patent for a machine for leathering the deads of tacks. In the testimony taken in the case it was shown that over six millions of this style of tacks were used n the United States daily. An interference case of some importance, in relation to a levice for sharpening millstones, has also been decided by; he Commissioner. The parties who were immediately interested were J. F. Gilmore, of Providence, Ohio, who had se-jured a patent, and George Hermon, of Paris, France. The claims of Hermon were sustained.
