The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-17

state Of the Union
Mr. ENGLISH said
Mr. CnAIRSAS: propose occupying the attention OF the
committee for short time in submitting practical
remarks in reference the present condition and manage
ment OF the Smithsonian Institution II is not subject SIR
the Introduction Of which into Congress has received any
favor from regretted TO see it brought mere ana
when the gentleman from Vermont Mr. MEAcHAAil upon
late occasion, introduced resolution TO raise pecla
committee inquiry felt il my duty to oppose ts ado
ton. knew that such examination would be attended
with expense and consumption OF time WHICH, AZ lhat
late period of the session. could not well be spared o
other and more important public business-that would
tend 10 rrtae the feelings gentlemen heretofore or now
connected with the Institution, and in word might DO
evil but could result in practical good My knowledge
Of the subject satisfied that nothing had occurred 70
demand the raising Of special committee clothed win
power send for PERSONS and papers, thus giving 10 he
disappointed and dissatisfied opportunity OF assaing
the Institution or its officers at the public expense
Sir felt conscious then as do now, that the manage
meut has been SUCH in all material respects as ought 10
elicit communication This may say with the greater
proprety and freedom for the that the causes
which led this investigation originated aud were fuy
developed before my connexon with the Institution as
Regent-a position may add, supposed TO be OF some
honor but certainly of considerable labor much re
sponsibity, and no pecuniary benefit whatever.
That the management Of an institution having so large
an endowment, and design comprehensive, should
occasion difference of opinion and difficulty is not surprs
ing in the least IL would be more surprising were IT
otherwise Whilst all in desiring the accomplish
of the great object Smithson had in view the in
crease and diffusion Of knowledge among men"he wises
and best well differ to the proper means to be used to
attain that end.
Although not entirely approving all that has been done
must say in view Of the vasness of the subject and that
Congress years in adopting the outlines OF
PLAN that the present condition of the Institution is not
only encouraging, but subject of congrauation, rather
than of to those charged with the management OF
its affairs Sir ask where there has been any material
departure from the act OF Congress or the VIII of Smith
son Have the funds been squandered or improperly APP
piled Is the Institution in debt its income exhausted
Have the officers neglected their duy2 Is there corrnp
ton or improper conduct in any quarter? Sir it is
matt ar IN fan N
statements and underlined nsnuatons but have yet to
hear alleged any just and definite cause of complaint
Look at the financial department where corruption would
most likely exist it existed AT all and will find the
gratifying fact that it has heen judciously managed
that after paying all the current expenses the funds and
property this day actually corh double The amount Of
he original bgues Where sir in this age extravagan
expenditure OF public money and deficiency bills will you
find parallel to this 2
The Regents authorized expend al the accruing in
terest but far from doing this they have, by husband
ing the resources and by watchuness the
disbursements actually saved the sum of Sl30000 which
they have hand to apply permanent addition
TO the principal What then, is the result magnif-
cent building of ample Dimensions has been erected AT
cost of 100000 Books apparatus and other articles
have been provided for the library museum, Laboratory,
and gallery of art worth $4,000 Lecturers have been
employed original researches made many valuable scen
tc works published and distributed the current expenses
entirely paid and yet the principal increased 100000
And of the interest expended have yet TO hear where
dollar was devoted to an improper purpose Does this
look as if the Institution were badly managed?
If am asked Mr.. Chairman what the Institution has
done TO carry out the object for which it designed
reply that it has not had time to do much 1t is in its in
fancy The building is but just completed, and il is not
10 be expected that great establishment which exist
as long this government ITSELF is be built up in
day The foundation is being laid deep and wide and the
noble work win gradually but surely advance
But sir, think it can be shown that something has al
ready been accomplished that good beginning least
has been made especially in view OF tho limited annual
income which, from the original fund is less than S3
Why single report of the Patent Office costs three times
much as the entire income Of the Smithsonian fund for
year.
Sir hs official report, TO be made at the present session
of Congress will show that liberal provision has been
made for library, museum and gallery Of art in the con-
stTucton of building which has cost 100000 libra
ry has been commenced and devised for its
sion, which, at present, is valued at $4,000.
museum, the most complete 10 be found in the Uni
ted States IN the natural history Of the North American
continent has been collected which is valued less
than $4,000
cabinet of apparatus, consisting of instruments of
illustration and research which is worth more than
$4,000 has been obtained.
beginning has been made of gallery of art consist
ing OF choice collection of series Of specimens
ings OF the old masters"
correspondence has been opened and friendly relations
established with most of the leading colleges and literary
institutions not only in this country but throughout the
wordthus securing scientific cooperation and often an
exchange OF valuable researches and publications Such
relations exist with less than three hundred and forty
TWO foreign institutions, scattered Sweden Norway
Iceland, Denmark, Russia, Holland Germany Switzerland
belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal Great Britain
ireland South America Mexico and even Greece Turkey
Africa Asia and Van Diemans Land Lectures pon pop-
ar ana scientific subjects have been regularly delivered
at the institution during the sessions of Congress and
have been open to all men, free of charge Original
researches have been stimulated and many valuable me
mors upon scientific subjects published and distributed
TO all the principal libraries and learned societies In the
world 10 show concusiyely what has already been done
IN this direction, will give list of some of the pubica
uons promising in the language of the secretary of the
BOARD mat the Institution, up to this time has scarcely
Pnoshed single paper the production of which has not
been stimulated and assisted whose character has not
been improved by the agency of the Institution and as
Wo hey are such as could not have been given to the
world without the aid of the Smithsonian bequesn They
are the products of American genius and have reflected
tho highest honor on American science
WORKS PUBLISHED SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
Quor,o Volumes.
Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. 1s4s Vol L.
ato PIP. BAG, with As plates, and 207 wood cuts
Smithsonian Contributions knowledge. 1851 Vol H.,
4to PIP. AGA, and "a plates.
smithsonian Contributions to knowledge 1852. VOL ILL.,
Ito, PIP. 564, and IS plates.
Smithsonian Contributions TO knowledge 1852 Vol "
Alto, PIP. l26.
Smithsonian Contributions to knowledge 1853 Vol ",
4to, PIP. 53s, and As plates.
Smithsonian Contributions To knowledge 1854 Vol VI
ITO, PIP. a76, and So plates.
Mathematics and Physics.
ton and Offices BY Charles Henry Davis lieutenant United
States navy.
Observation on Terrestrial Magnetism BY John Locke,
NJ d., NJ. A. p 8.
Researches on Electrical Rheometry BY A, Secchi
Astronomy.
Six Memoirs upon the occutations Visible in the United
during the from 1s4s 1883 inclusive Com
puted under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution
BY John Dowpes. ts4s. Alto, PIP. ~
Researches Relative to the Planet Neptune By c.