Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-05-01

There IL one family In this national city Of
ours-a very worthy little family. yet on
whom the hand Of adversely and afiictiou
hath fallen with crushing seyerity-whose
gratitude win 20 out In the fulluess Of their
hearts for the generous action Of Mr.. Dom
nan and his fellow-members In the House Of
Representatives on the alth instant, as the
following itom nom the proceedings Of that
day win explain
Mr.. DonnAn, by unanimous consent sub
mitted the following preamble and resolu.
ton: which were read, considered and
adopted
Whereas Il Is represented that Mr.. Frederick
peoh, formerly clerk In tho Bureau Of Agri.
s1l.sr %sas o The ArSStS5, psPaI.,%sn.
linens for botanical reference, which was 40
cspted By special act Of Congress; and whereas
v.n,s sroe ROW ~, no,,,aa ~ ,hsi
Department. aud Is now INDECENT and an invalid
In one Of the hospitals In this city thereiVre,
be Instructed 70 Inquire into the faeiS o. the
case, and n 10 their Judgment the circumstances
warrant 4 % report 10 thia House bin grant
services and llberality, and that the committee
be authorized 10 report At any time.
This inltiatory action is a very timely step
In the direction OF a most truly worthy OBJ
isct, and We trust that la full contamination
may be speedily reached. Our attention has
been heretofore called 70 the merits Of this
case, and In common with q number Of our
citizens who have become acquainted with
all the circumstances, We have looked an1-
iously to see something done BY our Govern
ment by way Of rewaFdlng Prof. Pech for
his early and almost Invaluable contribution
TO the Department Of Agriculture, and thereby
render that pecuniary relief Of which tho
now painfully stricken and destitute family
stand so kconly in need.
With thorough education and mind In
tenuy inclined 10 scientific research, Prof.
Pech Ind devoted some sixteen or eighteen Of
the best years Of his life TO tho collection,
careful examination and preservation OF the
rAre and least understood products Of the
vast kingdom Of plants. He was well known
10 have possessed the most extensive and
valuable herbarium OF any private devotee
In this country. The rayages OF our great
rebellion, on account Of bis loyalty, drove
him and his wife and child, dospoiled Of
Southwestern State TO Washington, where,
after some difficulty as q stranger and q very
unassumlng gentleman, Prof Pech finally
secured an under clerkship In the Agricul-
tural Department and while there, noticing
the great lack in that Department OF Just
sessed, and not receiving any commensurate
offer for the same, he generously rendered
them TO the Congress at the
time accepting the same by special act. II
may DO here stated that the present etymolo-
gist Of said Department seld bis collection Of
bugs 10 tho Government for the snug sum Of
$4,000 cash, and no questions asked.
But Prot. Pech, after remaining about
three years In his clerkship, was discharged
by Commissioner Capron. From that tlms
ds6s) up 10 within year and half since, BY
the efforts Of bis loving and faithful wife and
little boy the Professor was enabled 10 pursue
at his humble home his researches In the
world Of plants, and 10 prepare very copiou,
manuscript notes on all of his most valuable
examinations and discoveries; such notes n
he had hoped some day To- sesurt
the publication Of In a volume, from the
port In hls decline oil life. But the long
years of too close study, night writing, and
his microscopic Investigations, gradually i'm
paired his eye-slghL until about twelve
months ago Prof. Pech became entirely dc.
prived OF his sight, and Ia now an inmate Of
blind. Add TO this great aitilction the facl
that hls devoted wife, who lost her right eye
from an accident when young, has now
nearly lost the entire left eye with Its sight,
from q terrible cancer, which started q few
years ago on her left temple, and we have |
case which should touch the coolest heart.
To their brave little boy, Freddy, then,
can these sadly and woefully afflicted pa
rents look for support; and II this Is not I
case which demands the generous sympathy
and prompt attention OF Congress, AZ well u
the spirit Of humanity Is In the discharge Of
an act OF justice toward one who has enriched
the Government then we arc incapable oil
Judging OF our own impulses, much less u
Judge OF those Of others, 10 whom we maxi
this appeal.
Let there 10 o good, liberal appropriated
made, and made without grudging or delay
for the relief OF Prof. Pech and his family
and the act will DO approved both here ant
In heaven.