The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-02
VERIrAs.
TWEEN TY-NINTH RESS,
SATURDAY, February %, 1916.
Senate not in session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.


In the House of Representatives after the
usual formaties and PRELIMINARY business
Mr.. r. ID. Owen, from the select committee
on the subject, reported the bill TO establish the
6 Smithsonian Institution," for the increase
and diffusion Of knowledge among men.
| After stating that it was eight wears since
the money had been received from England,
and that It's application to the objects designed
| by the testator had been delayed, because the
bills relating to it had not been reached in the
regular order Of business at other sessions of
| Congress; he moved that it be made the spe-
cial order for the second Tuesday in April
next, 10 committee of the whole house which
motion, after some opposition from Mr.. Hous-
ton of Alabama, was carried.
The bill was a substitute for the one here
tofore referred TO select committee consisting
OF Messrs. Owen, Adams, Sims, Wilmot, Jen-
kins, Marsh, and Davis. 1t adds the Mayor
of Washington to the original bill, as one Of
the board OF managers, and constitutes the Vice
President, the Chief Justice Of the United
States, the Mayor aforesaid, three Senators,
three members of the House, two members Of
the National Institute, residents of Washing
ton, and five other citizens of different States as
said board, and creates them and their success
sors body polite and corporate. Some addi-
tions are made to the details, such as a "gallery
OF art" SIC. and appended thereto is report
( or statement of the situation of the funds and
| the interest due from the States of Illinois, Ar
kansas, &c. No change is made in the orgi.
nal contemplated site on which to erect the
buildings of the Institution, viz s'the Mal,''
west of Seventh street, in this city.
| The preamble states that, whereas James
Smithson of London, by will gave his whole
property to the United States, to found under
The above name, for the above purpose the
said Institution; and that Congress, having re-
ceived the money, viz $5l5,l69. and accept
ed the trust, it should be executed in good faith,
and according TO the will of the donor.
The bill provides that tho interest ONLY be
applied to the buildings and other expenses of
the Institution, either at first or during its fu-
| ture continuance, and the principle remain
untouched for ever. The bill provides for the
creation, continuance and maintenance of
what, if the provisions are adhered TO, will be
the most magnificent and useful Institution in
the word-magnifcent in its origin and con-
| ception-liberal in its means-Mr. Smithson
| providing the money and this Government, the
land, almost equal in value--and useful, as
not confning the higher branches of knowl
edge to the "upper ten thousand "classes.
/ "A great NUMBER OF reports from committeeS
were made, chiefly on private bills.
| Mr.. Hilliard, from the Committee on the
Post Office and Post Roads, made report &C.
companied by joint resolution for the relief
Of Denton S. Humphreys. 1t was read twice
and referred to committee Of the whole House
on tomorrow.
Mr.. Harper, by leave, presented resolutions
OF the legislature of the State of Ohio, agans,
any law regulating postage that will increase
the rate on letters. Referred to the committse
on the Post Office.
The House went into committee on private
bills, and cons s.dered the one for the relief Of
Grayson; the discussion on which continued
until the committee rose and reported the bill
Without amendment and the House adjourned