National Republican., 1885-11-14
sM1rnsoN1.AN pIrEusroN.
The FREQ Interchange Of Scientific
Thought Between the Different Peo-
plca of The World.

Among the definite lines Of policy adopted
by the Smithsonian Institution at the com.
mencement of It's operations was that of
diffusion Of its publications, resulting in a
system Of exchange not limited to unused
duplicated volumes accumulated in libra
ries, but comprehending full interchange
OF the intellectual products of the two
hcmispheres.
In the original programme OF organza-
tion presented TO the board of regents by
Prof. Joseph Henry, Dec. 3, 1Si7, this OBJ
ject was set forth, and In the explanations
and illustrations OF the programme the CON
sideration was urged that the publication Of
series OF volumes of original memoirs would
afford the institution the most ready means
Of entering into friendly relations and cor
respondence with the learned societies in
the world, and OF enriching It's library with
their current transactions and proceedings
A committee Of the American Academy
'of Arts and Sciences appointed TO consider
the plan for the organization OF the Smith
sonian Institution reported Dec. z, 1S47,
with regard to this fcature--"it can scarcely
be doubted that an important impulse
would be given by the Smithsonian Institu-
tion in this way to be cultivated OF scientific
pursuits, while the extensive and widely
iamifed system Of distribution and ex.
change, by which the publications are TO be
distributed throughout the United States
and the world, would insure them clrcu-
lation which works Of science could scarcely
attain in any other way.n
The first volume OF the Smithsonian
"Cont1butlons to Knowledge "a memoir
on the ancient monuments In the Mississippi
valley), published in 1S4S, was distributed
in 17b copies TO societies abroad, and an ad-
ditional number Of copies was placed IN the
bands Of distinguished savants interested In
its subject
no TARIFF on THE EXCHANGES.
At the commencement Of It's system OF cx-
changes, the institution was much tram
meled by the great delays and expense at
tendant upon customs requirements, but by
earnest effort and proper representation TO
Congress, the United States government
adopted the enlightened policy of admit
ting through its custom houses, duty free,
all scientific publications from foreign
countries addressed to the Smithsonian In
stitution, whether for its own use or as
presents to learned societies and indlyld-
uals, in any part Of the country.
The efforts Of the institution were then
directed to the procurement from foreign
governments OF n reciprocal liberality on
their part, and this was effected In England
through the intereession Of Sir Henry Bull
wer, the British minister at Washington,
and Col Ed. Sabine, the president OF the
Royal Society of London.
AS early as 1854 the concession OF free
entry was secured by the institution for its
exchanges for every port Of Europe, u certi-
fed invoice of contents by the secretary
being sufficient to pass them through tho
custom house free Of duty.
OCEAN TRANSFORMATIONS OBTAINED.
The rapid extension of this benefcent
work-the transmissions at the close OF
| - I.s.-r 4.
| turns, 1886 parcels-soon became very
| heavy tax upon the resources of the insttu-
tion and the conduct Of its principal func-
| tions--the increase of knowledge among
men (by means Of original research and
| publcation) was threatened with being
| crippled, II not oyerriddcn, by the demands
of service really held as incidental and
subordinate thereto. With view to dimln-
ish, II possible, the expenses involved the
institution, in 1855, addressed several of
the leading transatlantic steamship COM
| panies, unfolding its methods, and asking,
in consideration Of the great public benefit
| of the system, the favor of reduced rates of
freight upon this particular service.
| With commendable llberality and public
| spirit the companies addressed agreed to
carry Smithsonian foreign packages not
merely at an abatement, but without charge,
| and thus generously enabled the institution
| to maintain the growing magnitude of its
exchange operations, when otherwise the
| system must have broken down of its own
| weight. AT present there is not single
one of the great ocean steamship companies
| that does not cheerfullp grant, and in many
instances offer, the institution the privilege
| Of free freight. Nor have the railroad
| companies at home been found wanting In
extending to the institution facilities and
| reductions from the regular rates OF freight.
| COLLECTING AGENCIES.
In the special work of distribution OF
memoirs and packages sent abroad, the es-
| tablishment Of various agencies In the prn-
| cipal foreign capitals became necessary.
| These agencies were also employed rs CEN
tiers for the collection of publications de-
signed to be sent to the institution.
| AT first such agencies were established Mt
London, Paris, and Leipzig, each of which
was placed in charge of a salaried agent.
| Subsequently, however, in certain coun-
| tries, these labors were materially light
| ened by portion OF the exchange being
undertaken by some learned society, or by
the government, and at present the lnstitu-
tion is represented in every portion of the
civilized world by some establishment acting
as its agent of exchanges.
DISTRIBUTING GOVERNMENT DocU MESTs
In the year 1867 Congress enacted law
directing the public printer to place at the
disposal Of the joint committee on the
library Of Congress fifty copies of every
publication made at public expense, which
copies are exchanged Through the agency
OF the Smithsonian Institution, for such
works published in foreign countries, and
especially by foreign governments, as may
be deemed by said committee an equivalent;
said works to be deposited In the library of
Congress-
In compliance with this act part of the
books printed at public expense since Jan.
], 1868, have been delivered to the Smith
sonian Institution, and have been distrib-
uted, in one full set each, to the govern
ments Of Argentine Confederation, Bavaria,
Belgium, Brazil, Buenos Ayres, Canada,
Chill, United States of Colombia, Denmark,
France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece,
IIayti, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Mex
leo, Netherlands, New South Wales, New
Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Prussia,
Queensland, Russia, SaXony, South Aus
tralia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasma-
mia, TurkeY.V Venezuela, Victoria, Wurtem-
berg, while exchange negotiations on behalf
Of tho United States government are pend
ing with the governments Of Austria and
Uruguay. Each set furnished now com
prises twenty-five boxes Of about seven
cubic feet in bulk, with an average weight
Of 250 pounds, the entire collection repre-
senting several thousand bound volumes
and large number OF pamphlets.
STIRRING UP LAGGARDs.
Although, on the part of the exchanging
government, equally exhaustive series were
promised, a general falling of in returns
received had become noticeable during the
past few years. and IL was therefore, in the
summer OF 1884, suggested that special
agent be sent abroad to investigate the
cause of this diminution in the receipts, and
to prompt the contracting powers to greater
energy. At the request OF the library com,
mittee of Congress, Mr.. George ii. Boehmer,
who has charge of the Smithsonian system
Of exchanges, was appointed for this mis-
sion. He visited every government IN
Europe, and everywhere obtained imme-
diate returns and the promise Of prompt
attention toward the fullllment OF the ex
change contract The direct results
secured through this mission flor the library
Of Congress, the beneficiary Of the system
of exchanges inaugurated by Congressl are
represented in forty-Gve boxes and 1G(