New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-16

Alfred NJ. Mayer. of New-Jersey; General NJ
c. Meigs, DR.. S. Weir Mitchell. Of Philadelphia
Professor Simon NewcOmb, Professor III. A.
Newton. of Connecticut Professor f. C. Pickering,
of Boston; Mr.. Raphael Punpelly, Of New-York;
Admiral John Rodgers, of San Francisco Mr.. Fair
man Rogers, of Philadelphia; Mr.. Charles A. Schott
Professor W. p Trowbrdge of Connecticut DIR. j.
II. Trumbull. of Connecticut; General G. r.. War
rem, United States Army DIR. J. J. Woodward
United States Army; Professor Henry Draper, Of
New-York; Mr.. c. 5. Pierce, DR.. S. II. Scudder. of
Cambridge DIR. Elliott Cones Professor Francis s.
Walker, and Professor g. f. Barker of Philadelphia.
PROFESSOR MARSH'S ADDRESS.
Professor o. c. Marsh, acting President Of tho
Academy, in his opening address reviewed what has
been done by the Academy since its last annual
meeting. He spoke as follows of its late President.
Professor Joseph Henry:
In coming together this time, the thoughts OF every
member will at once revert 10 the great loss which tie
Academy has sustained since we last mel here IN tho
death OF hOnOred President Professor Joseph Henry
who died in this city, May 10, 1873 or the loss 10
science ana ITO TO Ine ~SIu o, one wo mas nom so
It's diffusion among men, 1t not my province here 10
speak Others more familiar with the liework OF Pro-
fessor Henry will do Justice 10 this suggestive theme
II is however, fitting 10 this occasion that should
aude, at least TO Professor HenTys great services To
the Academy as Its presiding officer during the last
After the death Of the first President OF the Academy
Professor Alexander Dallas Bache, In ls67, Professor
cted his the next meeting. IN
January, 1868 From that until he left the chair
at the last annual meeting In APRIL ls1s,t had been
his constant thought to advance the best interests or
the Academy. How zeaously he guarded ls good names
how mpartially and wisely he guided It's dcberalons,
and how earnestly he stroye to maintain for IL high
standard In Science, all bear ample testimony
You have already learned that short time before tho
Gsa Spon & AID through ' Upon T the
Academy. by a number Of gentlemen, who contributed
the generous or forty thousand dollars 10 estaD-
lish the Joseph Henry Fund" In accordanee
with the instrument OF 1t this sum is to be held IN
md no from n
family until the decease OF the last survivor, when the
Is to remain intact and the income to be used 10 pro-
mote scientific research. To enable the ACADEMY to
accept and administer trust funds will require a
special act OF Congress- which It Is expected VIII be
passed during the present session.
The Biographical memoir on Professor Henry VIII be
prepared b, Professor simon Newcomb and presented
to the Academy at the next annual meeting.
members. DR.. Jared p Kirkland, who died in Cleve-
land, Ohio, December 10. 1877. and Professor William
NJ GabD, whose death occurred In Philadelphia, Peun,
May 80, 1873.
A scientific session of the Academy was held at
Columbia College from November TO November 3,
1878 at which twenty-five papers were read. Pro-
fessor Marsh referred at length to the action
| of Congress last June, which resulted in an aD-
pointment of a special committee of the Academy
to consider the public surveys. Speaking Of tho
character of this special committee Professor Marsh
| said:
In the appointment Of this special committee IL was
obvious that could properly select members a0y
those who had taken part in the controversy between
the then existing Government surveys; which cOnen-
ton 1t said, had resulted In the passage OF the law
for the proposed reorganization. Again. the subjects to
be considered by the committee pertaned 10 mensura
ton geology and natural history, and ], therefore,
selected those who familiar with these branches OF
science, namely Professor James d. Dana. whose long
experience as geologst and naturalist of the Wilkes Ex
plorng Expedition, and subsequent residence ~ wash.
him TO advise on Government work; Professor william
b. Rogers the Nestor OF American geology VINO had had
long and varied experience with geological surveys
Professor s. Newberry, the State Geologst Of Ohio,
who had spent several years IN tne Wst on oSernent
exploring expeditions under the War Department;
Professor W. P Trow bridge, graduate OF West Point,
who, while member Of the Corps of Engineers, served
for several years on the Coast Survey Professor simon
NewcOmb whose knowledge OF mathematics aud
astronomy rendered his advice most yauabe and Pro-
lessor Alexander Agassz whose experience DOth in
mining engineering aud biology made him ut repIesen-
on the Transmission OF the report TO Congress, the
official action OF the Academy in this matter was, OF
formed AS matter Of history, however. may add
that the Committee on Appropriations in the House, TO
whom the report referred embodied the entire plan
of the Academy in bill III. r., 61i0 which was duly
reported 10 Congress. The portion or the Academy,s
plan relating to geological surveys, and the appoint
ment of Commission on the Pu3c Lands became a
law Ind C G eRSygS KIN bs uce
been appointed by the President Director or the new
Geological Suryey of United states and has entered
I'm answering the direct requirement OF Congress- in
matter OF such great importance, II was clearly the duty
OF the Academy, well it, own interest 20 consider
the subject without regard 10 or to parties and
10 propose plan winch seemed To promise me best
results not merely fer to-day, bat for the future,
welt Whether the plan proposed by the Academy TO
Congress was the and ~ II That could nave been
devised under ali the crcmstanccs may DC left Tor tho
impartial historian of the future % DECIDE.
At the meeting OF the Academy in April last, q
resolution was adopted authorizing the appointment
of a committee to consider plan proposed by Pro-
fes sor NewcOmb for detcminiugthe distance of tho
sun by measuring the velocity of light The mem-
bers of the committee wcre President r. A. L.
Barnard Professors Wolcott Gibbs, Henry Morton,
George +. Barker and +. c. Pickering. Their
port was so favorable TO the plan proposed that ID
was sent to the Secretary Of the Navy for transmits
sion to Congress. An appropriation Of five thousand
dollars for the required purpose was thus
secured and the work of constructing the necessary
apparatus Will be commenced as soon as the appro-
pliatlon Is available The expenditure of the funds
is intIusted 20 the Secretary OF the Navy. Ia the
Act of Congress establishing "a National Board Of
Health, which became "a law in March last, the
Academy is requested and directed To cooperate
with this board, and report To Congress at the next
session. 4 cOmmuuica alton has been received from
the president of the board, Incloslng certified
copy OF the act, and requesting the Academy TO ap-
point an agency with which the board will confer
10 carry out the provisions OF the law. The presi-
dcpt of the board has been informed that tho
Academy would cooperate heartily M the proposed
work bat no other definite action has as yet been
taken.