New-York daily tribune., 1855-08-24
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FoR TIE
ADvANcEMENT OF 6CJENOS.
MORNING SESSION.

Tho Association met IN general session a. iV ~ "'
Hr. MITCHELL introduced resolution inviting ols-
speushed foreigners 70 meet with the Association at
Albany He thought they might hope TO have the a.
spdance Of the Astronomer Aey at either the meeuog
a Albany or the subsequent one.
Prof AeAssrz, in rsng to second the notion sug-
rested that assoc atons be invited to meet with them
ana ,bat ,hey invite only such individuals as Hum
boldt and Oersted, who could not be considered to
be members Of any bodies.
Prof Horror moved that the Committee on
W.ish,s Measures and Coinage be authorized to cor
respond with other associations and repor! decimal
system Of Weights and measures.
Prof pErRcy introduced resolution that the Asso-
station regarded the preparation Of an index OF pa
pers referring to mathematics and physics as one OF
fhe most important and valuable measures Tor sd-
yancing science which could nov be undertaken, and
would invite the cooperation Of persons Interested In
fbe matter.
Prof AoAssIz eaid that Of the greatest diff
euties which of science in this country had 70
experience was in referring those who wished TO learn
20 the best books His book, which had been printed
by the British society and distributed consisted OF
four volumes Of 500 pages each, but there wss no
need Of very much; that was mere learning. lie
knew of only four or five copies Of that in this
country.
These motions were ell referred by the Standing
Committee en6 afterward adopted.
The subject of the constitution then came up
Prof BAcHE, as chairman of the Committee, read
sbeir report and proceeding TO point out the diff
ference between the old and the proposed constitu-
tions, when
Prof w. b. ROGERS a member of the Conshtu-
fona Committee said that that was the proper time
gor him to say what he had TO say. After enlsrging
upon the Importance Of constitutional law, he pro-
eeeded to detail his objections to the manner in which
the new constitution brought forward, that
when at Washington, the Committee agreed upon
constitution which TO have been printed in paral
lel columns with the old constitution and sent to all
the members, that they could have an opportunity
10 uoge between the two. Why had not this been
done. and why not that agreement carried out
1t was made the business of the Secretary 10 have
Etm printed aDd distributed. Aud now wheo they
were distributed et This las. hour, when there was no
time for celebration il was not the constitution which
be 40 agreed 10 that was proposed, but another TO
which he had Dever agreed.
Prof AoAssz wished to make some remarks of a
civier kind than those made by Prof Rogers. Far
frsm agreeing with him in the need Of constitutions,
he believed that they were Of no use at ALL Though
many OF the friends believed that he had been usefol
in the work they all engaged in, he mad never
read one and never intended TO read one. Now let
us either 20 back to the old constitution for which
am willing TO vote, | will take this constitution,
which is proposed for which am equally willing
10 vote, let us take the constitution as amended at
Washington, for which am equally willing TO vote
or let somebody move TO put off the question for
twelve months, for which 1 am equally willing TO
vote.
Prof. BAcHE said this was a specimen Of the diver
sity of opinion which was obtained among members.
Commander WILKES thought they had better pass
the constitution pre- posed. Some Of them would like
30 be governed by a constitution.
Mr.. MITCHELL said if they had any constitution at
all il should be good one. He would be very glad
10 see the subject entirely postponed. If they had
constitution we would violate the law. Now he would
rather have 10 law and then they could not sin Laugh
sel But IL they were TO 90 into 1t he wanted whole
week for discussion. He had an hour or two of talk
In him sty~t a., and uo supposed every member had
as much more. He hoped that at the next meeting
they would have social gatherings, but meet every
evening for the discussion OF the constitution; he was
ready to stay all night
Prof RoGERs entirely agreed with Prof Mitchell.
Prof CAswELL hoped that attendance on these
meetings would not be compulsory
Prof Rooms wanted the three constitutions printed
together and distributed.
Prof Henry deplored this waste Of time.
DIR. GOULD said the amendments 10 the constitution
had been agreed upon. In the Committee large ma
ority were of one way Of thinking and small mi
poriiy were of another and the majority by very lib
esal CONCESSIONS had thought that they had secured
the assent of the minority. Ii gave him great pain
when portion OF the Committee opposed H. III was
entirely unexpected.
Prof PIERCE said that when this Association passed
fom matters Of Science to constitutions, they passed
at once from being worthy Of personal respect to the
uIworthiness Of political meetngs Prof Peirce went
10 interpret an especial disclaimer OF personalities
by Prof Rogers ss something personal.
Prof. RoeEes regretted profoundly that he should
have been so misunderstood He had, however,
duty 10 perform, and he would not be beaten down
nor frightened away Neither threats could do this
nor intmahons misconceptions of his language or
thoughts.
Prof Mitchell said he had been charged design
edl, with taking a course which he thought no gentle
man ought TO take, with nterposing bis own private
views Tor personal objects. He denied il all. lie was
a roor private individual. He belonged TO no institu
hon In The world. He could with great pleasure retire
TO I'm own home and spend the balance of hs days
there, bot caring whether his name we're ever heard
again AL that he asked was simply to get rid of this
question
Dr. GOULD put in a very touching disclaimer of any
intention Of personality.
Several Gentlemen rose, but
Prot. CAswELL obtained the floor and moved that
the whole subject be laid upon the table until tOmor
row morning, when the vote could be taken without
debate.
number Of gentlemen rose it was objected that
fhis motion was not debatsbe, but Prof. Casweli
yielded TO
Prof AGAssIz, who ssd that he looked forward with
dread 10 repetition Of the discussion Of this subject
He ie that they had been doing foolish thngs he did
Lot mean to cay that those who had spoken any