The morning times., 1895-09-08

eCutive officer is the secretary OF the insti-
tuition, who is also elected by the regents
The secretary makes all appointments
on the staff OF the institution, is respon-
sileb for the expenditure ma disbursement
of all funds, is the legal custodian of all its
property, and eX-officio, its librarian, and
the keeper OF its museum. He presents to
the regents an annual report upon the opera
tions, expenditures and conditions OF the
establishment, which is ira nsmitted by the
board to Congress for publication There
is at present but one assistant secretary,
who is in charge Of the National Museum
The annual meeting OF the regents is held
in January, their executive committee Of
three members meets quarterly
LIST OF THE REGENTS.
The following gentlemen are now serving
as regents: Chief Justice Melville w. Fuller,
chancellor; Vice President Adlai +. Steven
son, Senators Justin s. Morrill,, Shelby NJ.
Cullom and George Gray, Representatives
Joseph Wheeler, w. c. p. BrQckinridge I'D
K obert R HIT, Citizens John B. Hender-
son and Gardiner q Hubbard, OF Washing
ton; James b. Angel. OF Michigan; Andrew
d. White, of New York, and William Pres
ton Johnston, of Louisiana
The leading features of the plan prepared
by Prof. Henry, TO use his own words, Were
Ito assist men of science in making original
researches, TO publish them in a series OF
volumes and TO give a copy Of them TO every
first-class library on the face of the earth"
There are not many scientific inyesti-
gators in the United states TO whom
helping hand has not at some time been
extended by the institution, and the hand
/ has often reached across the Atlantic
| Books, apparatus and laboratory accom-
modations have been supplied to thousands,
and each year certain number of money
grants have been made. Not less impor-
| tant has been the personal encouragement
afforded and advice given in the tens Of
! thousands OF letters OF information writ
| ten in response to inquiries.
The publications are numerous and in
! clude many important and authoritative
works. There is 10 restriction as To sub
| ject, and they consist OF memoirs covering
| almost every branch or invcstigation on.
! These books are practically given away,
| for, although there is a provision for their
! sale at cost price, only a few hundred dol
/ lars worth are sold each year. They are
regularly distributed to about 1000 in
! stitutions in all parts of the world, and are
also supplied to numerous private in
yestigators
ITS GREAT LIBRARY.
In return for these and by purchase the
! institution has obtained the great col
! lection of books which forms its library
! and which is one of the richest in the
world in the publications OF learned sCs
cIeties. The value OF the books distributed
since the institution was opened is esti-
mated at $1,0C0,G00
The Smithsonian collection, which in
cludes more than 100000 volumes and
parts of volumes, is to be installed in a
special hall of its own upon the main floor
of the new Congressional Library Building
now being constructed. In 1894 1882
new titles were added to the institutions
library.
The National Museum is what Prof
Huxley termed "a consultative library of
objects" Its benefits are extended with
out cost or reserve to hundreds ofthousands
of visitors from all parts of the United
| States. Since 1881 more than 10000
visitors are recorded as having passed
through its doors. Duplicate specimens in
the museum are madde up into sets, ac-
| CuIdlCll anu gwen W puDllS lAlSll-
tutions in all sections of the country.
There are in the National Museum g.
279,53 specimens. The intrinsic value
of such collections as these cannot well be
| expressed in figures. There are single
| specimens worth hundredsl Others worth
thousands OF dollars and still others which
are unique and priceless. Many series of
| specimens, which owe their value TO their
completeness and to the labor whichhas been
expended upon them cannot be replaced at
any price. The collections at forced
sale would realize more than has been ex-
pended on them, and q fair appraisal OF
their value would amount to several mill
| ions of dollars. se
KNOWN TO EARTH's CORNERS.
The Smithsonian system of international
exchanges, having for its object the inter
| change of scientific material between sci
entific Institutions and investig ators in
the United States and foreign lands, has
grown until there is no civilized country
or people, however remote, upon the sur
| face of the planet, SO far as Is known,
| where the institution is not represented.
The list OF correspondents has grown until
| those external to the country alone num-
Der nearly 1900, while the total number
is about $4,000 From 1852 to 1895 the
Smithsonian exchange service handled
1,459, ,449 packages, and for three years
past the weight of books passing through
the office has been considerably more
than 100 tons annually. >
The Astro-physical Observatory, estab-
lished here in 1891, through the generosity
of DR.. Jerome H. ,Kidder and DR.. Alexander
Graham Bell, Of Washington, is devoted to
the development of almost the newest of
] sciences. The special feature Of the observ.