Changes in the Patent Office

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During the present year many changes have taken place in the Patent Ofiice. Never since it was instituted have so many rumors been circulated about doings in and connected with this department of the government. Three Chief-Examiners have resigned within four months, and the Commissioner of Patents-Mr. Ewbank—within two weeks. The Examiners who resigned were Dr. Page, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Cooper. The former two were the oldest Chief-Examiners in the office, and Mr. Cooper as Assistant and Chief-Examiner had been in the ofiice ten years. The classes of inventions relating to electrical apparatus, weaving, spinning, hydraulics, and civil engineering, have now new Chief-Examiners. It is the first instance, we believe, in the history of the Patent Office, that a Commissioner has resigned. Since the inauguration of General Taylor, the changes of government officers have been exceedingly numerous. With the causes of Mr. Ewbank's resignation we are not specifically informed; we could present some of the rumored causes which led to it, but this would not be right. S. H. Hodge, Esq, is now Commissioner of Patents, and all our readers who have personal business to transact with the Patent Ofiice, should address their communications to him as Commissioner of Patents.

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