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WILLIAM BOWER TAYLOR. 
In 1876 Congress provided for the permanent appointment 
of a librarian in the Patent Office at a much lower salary 
than that of an examiner, and as Mr. Taylor still held the 
appointment of principal examiner, he was not an applicant 
for the new position, which was filled by' a political appoint¬ 
ment. Mr. Taylor then expected to be restored to his former 
duties as examiner; but by reason of smaller congressional 
appropriations, which necessarily reduced the number of 
appointments, he was unfortunately legislated out of office. 
In a letter dated December 6, 1876, in relation to this 
matter, Professor Henry remarks: “ Mr. Taylor, I can truly 
say, without disparagement to any officer of the Patent Office, 
is, for extent of knowledge and practical skill in reporting 
on the originality of inventions, without a superior in the 
office. He has long been a collaborator of the Smithsonian 
Institution, is a member of the Washington Philosophical 
Society, and has achieved an extended reputation as an active 
contributor to science by his publications. His separation 
from the Patent Office I consider a public loss, and justice to 
himself and the interests of the inventors require his resto¬ 
ration.’’ 
In a private note to a prominent Senator, Professor Henry 
commends Mr. Taylor to his “ special attention,” and says: 
“ He is held in the highest estimation by all who know him 
and can appreciate his character. He is not only a gentle¬ 
man of extensive information and refined culture, but is 
admirably constituted in regard to intellectual and moral 
qualities.” 
While Mr. Taylor was librarian he also acted as examiner 
of interferences—-a very important duty. In fact, Prof. Ed¬ 
ward Farquhar, his assistant at the time, remarks that “ the 
various functions he discharged in the office were endless. 
When a committee was needed to revise the whole classifi¬ 
cation of the office he was one of the leading members. He 
was perpetual referee and consulting examiner in a general 
capacity, as necessarily resulted from his extraordinary 
knowledge and readiness to impart it, supplying more espe- 
