THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS, 1849-51. 515 



from it ; but, at the same time I am unwilling to bestow bene- 

 fits on that institution at the sacrifice of the old and i^reater 

 interests of the patentees and the Patent Oflice. " With 

 these feelings I think there w\as no impropriety in ofierino- 

 the resolution. 



If the Smithsonian Institution is not to take charge of 

 these curiosities, it seems to me that something should be 

 done to relieve the Patent Ofiice from its present embarras- 

 ing condition in relation to the exhibition of its models. I 

 think the patent fund, the fund contributed by the mechan- 

 ics and inventors of the country, ought to be used solely 

 for the benefit of the Patent Office, and not for any other 

 department of the Government unconnected with that fund 

 or its interests. 



According to ray promise, I now move to lay the resolu- 

 tion on the table, although I shall vote against the motion, 

 and hope it will not prevail. 



Mr. Davis, of Mississippi. Will the Senator withdraw 

 the motion ? 



Mr. AValkeh. Certainly. 



Mr. Davis, of Mississippi. I shall consume but very lit- 

 tle time. Having made as much explanation as I thought 

 was due to the occasion in relation to the supposition by the 

 Senator from Wisconsin of a personal or ofi'ensive applica- 

 tion of what I said, I have nothing more to "say on that 

 point. 



The object of the Senator, as directed to the benefit of the 

 inventors of the country by providing a proper room for 

 the exhibition of the models of their inventions, is one in 

 which I very cordially sympathise. The Committee on 

 Public Buildings have already that subject somewhat under 

 consideration. I know quite well that the models in .the 

 Patent Office are in such a confused condition as not to com- 

 ply with the terms of the law\ The great gallery intended 

 for the exhibition of models is now occupied by the museum 

 which has been referred to. The present buildiug, how- 

 ever, w^as built by money drawn from the United States 

 Treasury, and may be occupied for that purpose. The wing 

 which is being added and built out of the patent fund, 

 is clearl}' a building which should be for the use of the Pat- 

 ent Ofiice, and I hope it will not be transferred to any other 

 use. I sympathise with the object of the Senator in giving 

 proper accommodations to the models in the Patent Office, 

 and reserving for the use of that office the building which 

 is being erected out of the patent fund. So far we go to- 

 gether. 



