The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-07
From the New York Times
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

Princeton has called Professor Joseph Henry of the
Smithsonian Institution, back to the chair of chemistry
She makes liberal offers and there that he may
accept 1t is seldom that straightforward honest and
capable Professor Henry has proved is found to
the State in important station as that of the
secretary the Board of Regents And yet the berth is
one of great difficulty. Very different feelings exist in
the board to the proper method OF administering its a
fairs. 1t would be strange thing-nay, it would be
rather strange if the secretary did not look back with long
ngs his college secuson IT certainly would not be
wonderful if Princetonis offer were accepted
James Smthson--by whose will, made in 1896 be-
quest of than half million of dollars made to
the United States to found establishment for the in
crease and diffusion of knowledge among nat
raj of the Duke of Northumberland his mother being
Mrs Macie His brother Lord Percy fought against in
the revolution In college Smhson went by the of
james L. Mcc after leaving the university he took the
name of Smithson. His fortune accumulation from
the provision made for him by the Duke He gave him
self up the pursuits of scicnceof all which chemistry
was his fvorite The Royal Societys Transactions
tain twentyfour papers from his pen The whole
income Of his property bequeathed TO his nephew
his DEATH the nephews child children, legitimate
Legitimate On the nephews DEATH without issue, the be-
quest to the United States was to take effect
General jackson announced the bequest to Congress in
1885, Committees of both houses reported voraby to its
accepancethe house report being drawn up by Mr. j. O.
Adams In the Senate Mr. Preston thought it too cheap
way for the donor to acquire Immortality and Mr. Calhoun
contended that Congress had right receive it. Messrs
Clayton, Southard Buchanan Walker, and Davis took
different ground and their views prevailed Mr. Richard
Rush was appointed agent and in 1893 announced
that the amount S5OS,3s 49, received by govern
ment.
Distinguished men of learning invited to submit
their views Of the best method of applying the fund
John Quincy Adams suggested great observatory and
nautical almanac to be followed in about years,
hoto mic
museum natural history and library the funds per-
He also approved ofecures during every winter by
gentlemen appointed for the special service President Way
land advised National University intermediate between the
college and professional schooa practical school, and for
teaching the modern languages In ls45 Senator Tappan
bill discussed in Congress- proposing sort OF pract-
cal college of superior sort Mr.. Choate advised to
appropriate the funds for the collection of large IL
brary Robert Dale Owen wished normal school APP
pended to it. AT last August 10, 1885, eight years after
the date of the appropriation Congress redeemed It's faith
and bill passed investing the government of the
Smithsonian Institution in Board of Regents author
ling them select site erect building to expend
average of $4,000 annually for the gradual formation of
library to maintain a museum of lee
lures and publish, from time to time certain works
The Chancellor of the first Board of Regents was Vice
President Dallas the Secretary Professor Henry There
was great diversity of sentiment within the board the
proper use be made Of their charge The discussions
not public though the pubic found no dmculty IN
learning their substance Secretary Henry says that the
attempt carry all these systems of operations with
the funds in their hands found mpraccabIc hence
atry they have attempted to carry out but thorough
ythe system of publications The building is nearly
completed 1t is picturesque but scarcely an appro-
pirate for lite intended purpose The library and
grown but not by direct expenditure for the
purpose
The lectures have been popular and well attended, yet OF
high order The effort has been to encourage the publi-
only of such valuable papers would not other
wise be brought to light great work has been done
already by it for science But in many quarters there has
been dissatisfaction the neglect to increase Nc Library be-
ing the chief of complaint The only charge which
be preferred against the secretary that of erng pos
sibly, in Judgment No money has been squandered for
every dollar expended the world has large gain to show
Whether the present policy is continued entirely
is nauguraed in the management of the funds,
think point to official act of the secretary
or of the board that not honorable the man. and credit
able the recipients of this worldwide famous bequest