The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-09-23
THE DUDLEY OBSERVATORY.

J
: The Dudley Observatory and the Scientific Council
| Statement of the Trustees Albany. 1883 PIP. I73
This pamphlet, concerning the claim set
up by Messrs. Bsche. PIERCE, Gould, and Hen
ry, to the control of the Dudley Observatory in
Albany, is full of interest, to men of sci
ence especially. The facts are briefly these
In 1851, the idea of an Observatory at Albany
was projected by eminent citizens, who wrote
90 Professor Mitchell, of Cincinnati, for his ad-
vice and cooperation. Prof. Mitchell replied,
that all that was necessary to lay the ground
work of immediate action and consequent sue
cess was to collect the sum of twenty five thou
sand dollars. In August following, Professor
Mitchell made selection of the cite now &C.
cupied by the Observatory and such was the
enthusiasm of the good people of Albany, that
in March, 1852, they had raised that sum, and
the Legislature of New York passed an act "to
incorporate the Dodley Observatory of the city
of Albany" constituting certain citizens Trus.
tees, with power to hold property and to make
such bylaws as might be required, and I" to ap-
point such officers and servants as they deem
necessary"
The plan of the Observatory building was
made at Cincinnati under the direction of Prof.
Mitchell, who was then regarded by the Trus-
tees as their future Director. In 1855, the en-.
terprise was checked by the inability of Prof
Mitchell to remove to Albany. At this point
of time, Prof Bsche makes his appearance in
this pamphlet, not directly, but through Prof
PIERCE, of Harvard University, who is one Ct
the many bene6ciaries of the Coast Survey.
Through this gentleman, Professor Bache
made known the wants of the Coast Survey
of an Observatory at Albany, and proposed to
the Trustees, that if the people of Albany would
purchase heliometer, the United States
would supply transit instrument and q corps
of observers, free of expense to the Trustees.
Anxious to make the University useful to
the cause of science, the proposition was &C.
cepted, and Mrs. Dudley, who has since made
donation of $4,000, subscribed $4,000 for a
heliometer, which was increased by her to
$l4, 900, in order that the instrument might be
the very best that could be procured in the work
shops of Europe. Thus far, Prof. Baches plan
had been successful. The next step to be taken
was the creation of an advisory council. This
propositions was made through Prof. Peirce,
who, with modesty peculiar to these gentle
men, sent list to the Trustees, viz: Bache,
Peirce, Gould, and Commander Davis, all at.
tached to and pensioners of the Coast Survey
appropriation. Prof. Gould objected to Com
mander Davis, and the name of Prof. Henry
was substituted. "Thus," say the Trustees,
Originated the famous Scientific Council"
Prot. Gould was detailed by Prof Bache to
the duty of the Dudley Observatory, and was
sent to Europe to obtain instruments; and
such are the surprising improvements claimed
to be made by him, that the Olcott Meridian
Circle is ssid in the " Defence" made by the
Scientific Council, ito be an offspring of his
genius" Prof. Brunnow, the eminent astron.
omer and director of the Ann Arbor Observa-
tory, who saw this instrument in the shop of the
maker, speaking of it. says g 1t is essentially
the same instrument as the one at Ann Arbor; +"
one made by the same maker.
When the Scientific Council speak of Mr..
Gould's improvements of this meridian circle
being such as to make it "the Offspring Of his
own genius" they speak by the vision of faith
and not by sight; for though this and other in,
struments from Europe, manufactured for this
Observatory, were received in April, 1857, no
entreaties on the part of the Trustees have in.
duced these gentlemen to cause them to be
mounted on piers erected at great cost to re.
ceive them, and they now lie at the Observa-
tory in the boxes ia which they we're imported.
This conduct on the part of the Director, Prof.
Gould, compelled the belief that he was incom.
petent to use these instruments, or that there
was purpose not developed to keep this Oh.
servatory in the condition of uselessness to
which it had been so long condemned by the
Scientific Council.
On the 9th January last, the Board of Di.
rectors decided on removing Prof. Gould and
their vote was communicated to the Scientific
Council who at once assembled in ALBANY.
This Council made no claims of control then,
but, with many promises of amendment, and
after earnest entreaties and even tears of one
for whom they had long cherished a profound
respect, the Trustees, a majority of them, re-
luctsntly, and with many misgivings consented
to reinstate Prof. Gould, hoping the lesson he
had received would teach him courtesy and
wisdom. But 80 unbearable and rude was the |
conduct of this person, that the Trustees felt |
themselves compelled to dismiss him from their
service, as q man with whom they could hold |
no intercourse, and in whose capacity and in. |
tegrity they had no longer any confidence. |
This was early in June last.
On the 2eth June, this famous scientific Coun- |
Gil reassembled at Albany, and held their meet |
ings at the Dudley Observatory. They came no |
longer az fearful suppliants, bat with theimper-
Gus mien and bearing of sovereigns, whose bust.
ness it is to scourge rebellious subject into i'm
plicit obedience; and failing to terrify these
noble citizens of Albany, whose wealth had |
created the Observatory under whose roof they |
were convened, they promulgated an almost |
Papal Boil against the trustees. The notes
and resolves of these Swans are all given in
this pamphlet, and must be regarded as master. |
pieces of purest impotence. Not content with |
words, Prof. Bache now comes out from behind |
his hiding places, and, in order to retain forci
BILE possession of the Observatory, he has sta |
toned six young men in aid of Doctor Gould, |
(all alike attached to the Coast Survey, and |
paid out Of the appropriation made for that
service, who is set for the defence of this eight
house of the skies" Nor is this all /: Prof
Bache has hired day and night watch to pa
troll the grounds, lest the gentlemen indoors
should be so intent on their scrutiny of the stars
as to be surprised and yet more these scien.