Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-03-20
Smithsonian Institution.

By the Congressional proceedings of the last day
of the session, readers will have learned that the
bill to establish this Institution has failed. On the
motion Of Mr.. Owen, who had submitted the substi-
tute printed by few days since, for the Senate
bill, that bill was taken up by considerable ma
jority, In Committee of tie Whole on the state of
the Unlon and the Committee were proceeding to
consider 1t, when MIR. Adams, who had made effort
to prevent its being taking up at ALL in his place
and protested, in the strongest terms against further
proceedings in the matter He was opposed, he said,
to the Senate BILL and especially opposed to the subst
tute offered by MIR. Owen. He gave notice that he
had himself an amendment to offer, embodying plan
which he had formerly brought before CongreSs-his
observatory project we presume, his hight house in
the Skies which met the derison of the country when
proposed in his first message as national object;
and as the discussion of these various plans must
necessarily occupy much time and demanded delILe-
rate consideration, he urged it the House TO pass
the subject by entirely at present. and let it lie over
TO another session.
This obstruction, coming at so late an hour in the
session, proved fatal to the BILL which was laid aside
Had MIR. Adams acquiesced in the arrangement for
compromise, which, as we stated in a former article
this subject, had been made between those members
in both Houses who had active part in the prepa-
ration modification of the rival plans, there is not
any doubt that the compromise would have become
the law, and the reproach justly cast upon
nation for our supineness in tins matter would have
been wiped off at last But nothing, 1t seems, could
meet his appreciation that did not originate with him.
self His opposition evidently of that obstinate
and uncomPronisng character which belongs to the
man. That it not caused merely by the difficulty
Of finding time to discuss the subject, Is clear from
the fact that when, some days ago, Mr.. Owen moved
for evening session to take up and discuss this bill
in deliberate manner, Mr. Adams rose at and
objected to a session for any such purpose.
Let the responsibility of thwarting by delay. which
in such amounts to denial, the wishes of the
benevolent Smithson-a culpable negligence, which
may well deter the wealthy and phianthropic from
similar requests in future-rest where it belongs
the shoulders of Mr. Adams He first objected TO is
discussion until it too late; and then, after hav
ing thus urged lis poSponement set up the late stage
of the session to which that postponement threw Off
why it should not pass at ALL The friends
Of the bill did their duty and if there be personal
consideration that adds TO regret that these efforts
Ruthless it is that the venerable Senator from
Ohio, Mr. TaPpan-who has left the body OF
which he has been most valuable member, and who
has done than any else to mature and carry
through plan for this Institution should nave failed,
before he retired from the Senate, TO this avorio
object carried into effect.
We trust that, at another session, plan viii be
brought forward in both branches at early day.
And If thus time be allowed for its discussion cannot
fail to be acted upon-Mr. Adams and his observatory
to the contrary notwithstanding.-Gl