Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-01-23
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
Of

some interesting particulars of the late oper-
| ations of the Smithsonian Institution
AT the close OF leOi the affairs of the Institu
| ton were in highly prosperous condition Ii
VIII be seen by reference to the report of the
executive committee that-First. The whole
amount of money originally derived from the
| bequest OF Smithson is still IN the treasury of
| the Cnied States, bearing interest at SIX per
cent paid semi annually, and yielding SS}, 9IU
second S75,U0 of an extra fund are in bonds
OF the State of Indiana, AT five per cent inter-
est, also paid semi.annually, yielding 50, $50.
lhlru S53,6tO OF the same fund are in bonds of
the State OF Virginia, Sl2.UG0 in those Of Ten
nessee, and $50 in those of Georgia, from
which nothing has been derived since the COM
mencement of the war. Fourth. A balance of
upwards of $4,000 is now in the hands OF the
treasurer of the Institution.
IN view OF the great expenditure of the gov
eminent on account of the war, the InstItu-
ton did not AT first claim, as il might reason
ABLY have done, to have the annual income
from the original bequest paid in specie as all
the older funded debts OF the United States are
pald. But since large outlay Will be re-
qulred 10 repair the damages caused by the
hre, the necessity could not be avoided of
calling the attention of the Secretary of the
treasury 10 the measure, who has decided that
IN accordance with the usage OF the govern
ment the Institution is entitled TO receive the
interest from the original bequest OF SmIthson
IN com. The premium on this will therefore,
IN luture, increase the balance in the hands of
the treasurer.
1t was mentioned in the last report that a
~
t5,Gl5, was left by Mr.. Rush i'm England as
me principal TO secure an annuity PAYABLE TO
the mother of Smthson's nephew. The aunui-
tant having died, this money has reverted to
the Smithsonian Institute, and has been in
S54 $50.
The Secretary enumerates the publications
by the Institution for the year, and details the
scientific researches carried on: those in regard
10 meteOrology and magnetism being Of special
lmpor'anC'. In regard TO the magnetic Obser-
la rlR.aU
investigations on this subject up to the pre-
sent time We may infer, first, that the earth is
great magnet, having natural. and in one
sense permanent polarity: second, that this
polarity is disturbed in Intensity and direction
by The varying effect of the heat of the sun.
Lhud: thar the magnetism Of the earth j. at
f'eted by that OF the sun and moon: and fourth
IL Is probable that magnetic polarity is com
mon 10 all The bodies of the solar system
Prof. Henry acknowledges the cordial CO.
OpeTaHon and LIBERAL support gwen him by
the guardians OF the Institution for the past
twelve years, and proceeds TO say: "Whateyer
may nave been the iyersty OF views previous
TO that period. no difference of opinion has
slnce been expressed as to the pTopriety of the
o. ~egal policy which has governed the opera-
lions - the establishment, nor has a doubt
bfcn inn lyoaled as TO the value of the results
nroduced or their strict conformity with the in
,sn1ions OF Snithson. 1Sis harmony is, per-
h,,n, we worthy of remark, when it is re-
mcmbcred TIT in the choice Of Regents they
h"~~ - des!g H.as,..Uf ncii,,o9s, oolsIe
from aacb otths m. fHttI.SP J. ttFL"s "a
the day. Men of the mCst conuIv,...-, 49,.
meet here as on common ground of friendly
sympathy, impressed with the feeling that ri
YaITy and pre- iudice should hold no sway in the
presence OF interests whose universally and
permanency properly withdraw them from the
sphere Of popular and temporary excitement
Hence my enforcement OF the rule excluding
from the lecture room of the Institution topics
OF n partisan and irritating character has been
fully sustained; while, at the same time, the
course which has been pursued of rendering
the government in its la;e trials every al i,
which could be supplied by scientific reses .c,h
has been warmly approved.
''As most persons are probably entir' ,ly isno
rant Qf the services really rendered a Tho CO.
eminent by the Institution, nav here state
the fact that large share OF my time-all
indeed, which could be spared from NV Off cial
duties-has been devoted for the last four wears
TO Investigations required by the public exi-
gcncies. Within this period several hundred
reports, requiring many experiments, and per.
tanning either to proposals purpOrting to be of
high national importance, or relating to the
quality Of the multifarious articles offered in
fulhllment OF lega contracts, have been rem
dercd. The opinions advanced in many of
these reports not only cost much valuable time
but also involved grave responsibilities. While
OH the other hand, The reiec ton of proposition
would be in cCnrayentIOn 10 The high import
ance claimed for IL by its author, on the other
the approval Of At would perhaps incur the risk
OF the fruitless expenditure of large amount
of pubic money. 1t is not necessary, trust
to say that the labor thus rendered was entirely
gratuitous, or that the judgment pronounced in
any case no regard was paid to the Interested
solicitations orpersonal influence of the parties
concerned; on the contrary, II has in some in
stances resulted from the examination of mate
rails sold 10 the Government that attempted
fTaud has been exposed and the bafFled sppcu-
latCr received his due reward in condemnation
and punishment. These facts, it is thought
viii be deemed sufficient answer TO those
who have seemed 10 reprOach the Institution
with the want OF more popular demon stration
but far less useful or efficient and in the sun.
port of the Government
The Secretary reneWs his recommendations
th at the Smithsonian Library and Museum be
taken charge of by Government.
As Congress seems indIspOsPd to make an
appropriation for the repair OF the Smithsonian
building, Secretary Henry states that he has
suggested TO the Con gress Joint Com mittee that
If Congress would make an appropriation to
Pay the back premium on com for the last four
years interest on the Smithsonian fund the
r. gents would have il in their power 10 finish
the repairs by means of the extra fund which
has been accumulated.
LIBEL SUIT AGAINST THE POLICE GA