The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-05

do not recommend a school Of any Of the learned
professions, nor any professorships of ancient lam
guages, II is not, however, their purpose 70 ex-
clude lectures Of general character on subjects con-
neeted with any Of these professions but only 10
shut out those courses of Lectures, which treat OF
them in professional detail The studies referred 10
are already provided for in numerous institutions
throughout the United States; and 1t has been the
endeayor Of your committee, not only IN uis ln-
stance but throughout the entire plan here submit
ted, 10 occupy, so far as may be, ground hilherlo
untenanted; and rather 10 step in, where Il comes
not within the province Of other Institutions, learned
or literary 10 extend their efforts, than TO compete
with them In fields Of labor peculiarly their own:
Party politics, on which men differ SO widely
and SO warmly, should not, your Committee think,
enter among the subjects treated OF IN any lecture or
publication put forth under the sanction of the In
stitution. And they would deeply regret to see
party tests and party wranglings obtrude them
selves on the neutral ground OF science and educa-
ton; eoparding as such intrusion surely would,
the tranquility Of the Institution; disturbing the
even tenor of its action; perhaps assautng Its well
fare; certainly contracting the sphere OF It's useful
ness t a.
Your Committee are further Of opinion that If the
Board should hereafter decide to employ portion OF
the time Of Of its lecturers professors, IN
delivering, throughout the United States, able lee
lures suitable for mixed audience, on the various
subjects embraced in the plan Of the Institution, We
might reasonably expect, by such course, grad
ualy to stir up love Of science among those in
whose minds, for lack Of an awakening word, It
now lies dormant and by directing the attention OF
the people generally TO the rich sources Of knowl-
edge that everywhere exist around them and be
meath their feet, by degrees TO substitute for the de-
leterious excements sought In hauns Of dissipation
the htalthfu and humanizng interest 10 be found IN
scientific research. The inestimable importance OF
common school education and the practical means
Of increasing and improving il, might thus also be
pressed home upon those whose children have often
no other means Of instruction or Improvement. -,
The gallery Of ART, your Committee think, should
include both paintings and sculptures and 1t is de-
slrable 10 have, In connexion with II, one or more
studios, in which young artists might copy, without
interruption; being admitted under such regulations
as the Board may prescribe
Two Conservatives, each of not less than sixty
or seventy feet front, your Committee think, should
be erected either part Of the main building, or In
its vicinity.
Your Committee recommend, also, that the build.
ing have a basement story, of adequate height, to
contain not only receptacles for fuel apparatus for
warming, and, probably, lighting, but also, If re-
Qured, workshops, paeking-rooms, and printing
Office
And, finally, in this connection, your Committee
recommend that portion of the grounds Of the In
sltuton be laid out botanical garden, and an
other portion reserved for small experimental
farm. But they think both these objects should be
postponed until the completion Of the buildings
The grounds may, lille, be laid out, enclosed
and planted. Your Committee consider 1t important
that the planting of the necessary shade trees be
commenced without delay; and that a portion oil
these should be transplaned Of as large a size as
can, without risk be removed from the forest For
this object upon the judcous carrying out OF which
much of the beauty of the grounds will depend
your Committee recommend an appropriation of one
Thousand Dollars.
Your Committee would here have added a re-
commentator that geological garden, for which a
portion Of the Mall is well adapted, should be laid
out, as valuable and interesting addition to the col
lections in the department of Natural History; but
they refrain, thinking that such an establishment
however desirable, would be too heavy drain on
the present funds Of the Institution.
Before concluding their report, your Committee
propose to add few words with reference to the
internal management Of the lnstitution though they
aware that this subject at least in Its details, viii
more properly come before Committee, if such
should be appointed, charged with the preparation
of code Of rules and regulations.
Inasmuch as the Chancellor Of the Smithsonian
Institution, being regent, receive salary for
his services, it results, almost necessarily, that the
Secretary should become its chief executive officer
The charter seems TO have intended that he should
occupy very responsible situation; granting, as 1t
does to the Secretary in conjunction with the Chan
cel!or, the power to determine the necessity, and
the amount, Of appropriations made for the pur
poses of the lnstitutiom.
II, hereafter, the Board should decide to engage
permanently, the services Of several professors they
will constitute the Faculty, or Board Of Professors
of the Institution; and, in that case, is of the ut
most importance that there should be harmony Of
feeling and concert of action between that Board
| and the Board OF Regents. To obtain these results
indispensable to the we-being Of the Institution, in
case such Board of Professors be created at all
| there must be some constant medium Of commune
| cation between the Boards. There must be some
officer, who can represent to the Board of Regents
the wishes of the Board of Professors, and who car
explain to the latter the designs and intentions o.
the former; and that officer ought to be present al
the meetings of both boards. .....
The Secretary Of the Institution, your Committee
think, can best occupy that post. He is er oticio
Secretary of the Board of Regents; and your Com
mittee recommend that he have the privilege, wher
any representation from the Board of Professors
and to join in any debate that may arise thereupon
but without vote. They further recommend, tina
the Secretary be, also, obfcio, President of thu
Board of Professors, with the usual rights and priv
iIeges of the President of Faculty, in such
| board be established. .. ...
The relation between Board of pro fessional gen
tlemen and Board of management is ever delicate
one; and when it ceases to be friendly the gradua
decay Of the Institution over which these Boards
each in its proper sphere preside, may be confident
| ly predicted. But if the Secretary be a man dis
Greet, of good temper, of high standing, and pos
sessed Of talents and requirements of such order
/ that Board Of Professors will look to him will
Difference as its head, and Board of Regents lister
to his suggestions with respect; and if, well acquaint
ed with the views and feelings of each Board HI
cam at all times, keep each informed of the proceed
| ings and opinions of the other, harmony may b.
| expected from such mediation, which must be con
SANITY in danger, IN any Institution, in which thes
two Boards act isolated bodies, without concer
or regular communication with each other. g..
If these views be correct, the office of Secretar,
must be regarded, not as one to be filed by any
man capable to oct recording clerk, to receive
with polteness, the visitors of the institution, or
reply with mechanical propriety, to its correspond
ents; but as an Office on the due administration o
which the executive efficiency of our Institution a
home and its reputation abroad, mainly depend; al
office, then, demanding, in its incumbent, weight o
character and high grade Of talent vii ..,...
| To secure such stamp Of talent as your Commi,
tee consider essential in Secretary Of the Smith
sonan institution it may be necessary to attach Il
the office a considerable salary. The best talent, il
| ~ countrv AVER commands N hiuh recommendation