SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 245 



Whereas, Now, while other nations, recognizing the wisdom, justice, and expe- 

 diency of liberal legislation to protect and encourage invention and research, are 

 fast adopting the course which has so long been in successful operation in the United 

 States, and at a time, too, when increased effort is necessary to keep pace with the 

 progress of- the age, numerous bills have been presented in Congress, several of 

 which have already passed the House of Representatives, calculated to impair the 

 rights of inventors in the products of their owti industry and research, and to dis- 

 courage all effort in that direction; therefore, 



Resok't'i/, That we respectfully and earnestly request our honorable Senators 

 and Representatives in Congress to use their best endeavors to prevent the repeal of 

 the existing guarantees, or the enactment of any laws obstructing the inventor's con- 

 trol of his inventions or the defence of his rights therein, and destroying the value 

 of that which is legitimately his own property, or for shortening the period of the 

 existence of a patent, taking away his prospect of pecuniary compensation for work 

 in the highest degree beneficial to the community and contributing largely to the 

 prosperity of the nation, and discouraging the exercise of talent and means in that 

 direction. 



Resoh't'd, That these resolutions be published in the daily papers, and copies 

 forwarded to the Senators from Iowa and the Representative from this district. 



April 24, 1884. — Regular Meeting. 



President Fulton in the chair; seventeen members and seven visitors 

 present. 



The Curator reported valuable donations to the museum from Capt. 

 W. P. Hall, Dr. C. C. Parry, Mr. A. E. Smenner, and Mr. Chris. 

 Benedix. 



The Lecture Committee presented a report upon the course of lect- 

 ures and entertainments given under the auspices of the Academy 

 during the past winter and spring, showing net proceeds to the amount 

 of $247.42. 



On motion of Dr. C. C. Parry, the special thanks of the Academy 

 were tendered Major J. W. Powell for his courtesy in lecturing, free of 

 charge, for its benefit. 



Mr. A. S. Tiffany read a portion of a paper on the geology of Scott 

 County, and, for want of time to complete it, the reading of the remain- 

 der was deferred until the ne.xt meeting. 



Mrs. Putnam reported that the net proceeds from the exhibition of 

 water-color paintings, for the benefit of the jniblication fund, amounted 

 to $70.30, and moved that the thanks of the Academy be tendered 

 to Mrs. A. C. WiUis for the loan of her fine collection of paintings. 



May JO, 1884. — Regular Meetinc;. 

 President Fulton in the chair; seven members present. 



[Proc. D. a. N. S., Vol. IV.] ' T, [Nov. 17, 188.5.] 



