Washington sentinel., 1854-01-28

with men who had themselves prescribed the
law OF their action. The secretary, too, elected
by them, with power and attributes conferred
by them, although he seems to have considered
at frst these powers and attributes to be in
some degree hmitable, becomes, as we shall see
\ presently, and no doubt under the same influ-
ence, quite as superior to any idea of legal re-
straint as his employers.
These remarks are justified by the history Of
the institution.
The very first act of the regents was the APP
pointment OF a committee of organization.
The report OF that committee, with certain modi-
hcations, was adopted as the plan Of the opera
tions of the institution. These notifications
were introduced and accepted as compromise
6ettoeen tioo great conflicting opinions"
1 And here was the next great fault. They
who have had influence enough, or right reason
and good sense enough, to obtain the enact
ment of laio to regulate wisely the discharge
OF great trust, were found wanting in energy
and fxedness of purpose to such degree as
to permit themselves not only to falter and
| yield their position, but to become accomplices
IN manifest breach of their own charter.
/ This compromise is bold breach of law.
Congress had prescribed certain specific things
to be done by the board of regents, which, be-
ing effected, the regents were then permitted,
with other or surplus means, if any to do
certain other things. Instead of adhering to
the rule prescribed as the guide of their pro-
/ ceedings, they, almost before the ink of their
charter is well dried, adopt resolutions dividing
equally their income between the objects they
were required to provide for and those desid-
Grated by the holders of "great conflicting
1 OpipJap,U L fhinE han rs
this compromise" that the secretary indicated
some symptom of sense of amenability to
legal restraint, in stating, in one of his reports,
that the regents did not consider themselves
at liberty to disregard the indications of Con-
| gress." The organization committee have al
ready, in theitreport stated dthatthey had "yelded
to fair concession to the spirit of the charter"
Previous signs of grace are highly commenda-
| BILE, while they last. It is deplorable that their
duration was short.
| Another grave fault has now to be recorded.
Certain duties having been prescribed, and GER
tain other things after the performance of the
| first being permitted-having, in disregard of
the condition, adopted into their plan resolu-
tions to divide their means between the two
classes of objects-the managers of the Insti-
tuition bestow almost exclusively their care
and expenditure upon the latter, and, by de-
/
cheney. The "great conflicting opinion Y has
got the better. What remains? What have
we left Of the plan prescribed by the charter?
An unfinished building, preposterously unftfo
its purpose: collection Of books, hardly large
enough to be called library and nearly two
thirds acquired by other means than purchase
| some boxes, and cases, and Jars of specimens Of
natural history and library and museum,
such as they are, slowed away in holes and cor
ners, and about as serviceable for the increase
and diffusion of knowledge, as 50 much unexca-
vated mineral.
What, then, is the plan Iof proceedings now
proposed to be retained and sanctioned
| Smithsonian contributions and active OPP
erations." The first are beautiful and costly
books, fit for presentation to "learned bodies
and crowned heads !" no doubt containing
great, various, and useful information, acces-
| sible only to the wealthy and favored, utterly
| worthless and totally unknown among men,"
| The bestowal Of these magnificent presents has
enabled the institution to obtain some credit
| in Europe, but upon false pretences. The re-
cipients take the getting UP of such things to
be the work of some learned and scientific
society; understand the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition to be an association of men of ascer-
tanned qualifications laboriag together in
| great cause; and they give their laudations and
congratulations accordingly. In this view,
this part of the plan is nothing less than a
fraud. Then what of the 1actiye operations 2"
Are these to be the subsidizing of literary and
scientific labor and research? The doing and
melting out of premiums and rewards? And
upon the judgment Of what arbiter2 Or how
| is to be constituted and established scientific
BUREAUCRACY to control and bear rule over its
industrial compeers?
| hesitate at whose door to lay the respon-
sibity of these faults. IF the regents, as is not
very unlikely, have been in the habit of con-
sidering themselves rather as advisory perfume.
torial officials than controlling and accountable
directors, a great portion of it lies upon them.
This, however, is an inquiry which may be
postponed for the present The secretary has,
in his various reports, too fully shown himself
1 the tautor of the innovations have denounced
to escape the largest share. He has asserted, in
a recent report to the regents, that any longer
adherence to the Compromise" has become
impossible" This he gives to be understood
to mean that all the Smithsonian fund is re-
/ quired for active operation" He is said, too,
to have recommended the sale Of the building,
the disposal of the library and museum, the
discharge of all the officers of the institution,
excepting, of course, the secretary,) and the ap
preparation of all its means to the execution Of
his plan.
| Now, in what is this to end? This scheme
aims at acquiring the control Of the Smith
sonian Institution, as basis whereupon to
establish and maintain a supremacy in
science If the regents connive, or acquiesce
in it, public opinion will not be slow in en-
forcing the application of a remedy to the
mischief If this scheme or any scheme be
brought before Congress for the purpose of
procuring absolution and dispensation by legis-
lative action, fouly does the institution stink
in the nostrils Of the people, so bad an odor
does it bear within the walls of the Capitol,
that no less danger awaits it than utter
annihiation and extinction. Its name here
(unless the money be refunded to Great Britain)
will be given, with its funds, perhaps to the Ma
tional Institute, and very likely its library and
museum also; its building might be accepta-
BILE to Mrs. Dix, for her insane asylum.
Does any of your readers fancy me to have
become rather excited with my subject? Tru-
ly, am not sensible Of it. In point of fact,
do not care three straws whether, Of the t,oo,
the gimcrack folly called the Smithsonian In.