The evening times., 1896-09-05
Smithsonian to Celebrate It's
Fiftieth Anniversary.
ENGLIsHMAN ITS FOUNDER
James Lewis Marcie, Who Afterward
Assumed the Name of Smithson,
Left His Fortune for This Purpose.
Important Departments and Studies
Have Been Fostered I'm Smithsonian.


no public demonstration, the regents have
tanning the achievements and history of the
great seat of science. They will also erect
tablets in honor OF its founder.
While the Smithsonian Institution was
formally established by the act OF Congress
on August 10, 1916, il was not until Sep
tember Z, OF the Same year, that the first
meeting OF the board of regents was held
and from that day to this it has grown
steadily forward, and now ranks among the
greatest and best tequippedinstitutions OF sci
ence in the world.
The building, which stands on the Mall
between the White House and the Capitol,
is visited by nearly every stranger who
comes to this city. In fact, students from
colleges throughout the country make spe-
cial pilgrimages 10 Washington, and many
days are spent among the wonders that
are housed within the walls of this famous
building.
Tie foundation OF the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition was the realization of the osires OF
an Englishman, who hequeathed his whole
property TO the United States to found at
Washington, under the name of the Smith
sonian Institution, an establishment for
the increase and diffusion of knowledge
among men. This man was james Lewis
Marcie, who afterward assumed the name
If smithson. He was The son of The first
Duke CT Northumberland.
SELECTED THIS COUNTRY.
There is no reason known why Smithson
should have selected the United States, for
he was q thorough Englishman, although
he was in full sympathy with republican
governments and the liberty of The reo-
pie. But evidently he had Il firm helief in
the future greatness of the new nation, and
realiz ed in 1926 when he drew up his will,
tlat such an Institute as he contemplated
would have civilizing POWER upon the
world of incalcuiaile value.
Irwas not until six years after Smithson's
death, in 1885. that the United States w;ls
notified that his estate, amounting in value
10 about GIOo. 600 was held in cbarcery.
After two years litigation a favorable de
Cisiun was rendered. and on September /,
1898, 104, $50 gold sovereigns, which had
been brought over m the clipper ship Me-
dlator. were delivered TO the Philadelphia
mint and reccined into American money,
yielding S50S. 3 40, as the first in
stailmeBt of he legacy. This was soonin-
creased 10 S515, l69. and in 1867. by
residuary legacy of sec, - 21O.63, the total sum
derived frcm the founders beneiicence had
been increased To S650,000
For eight years this legacy lay in the
Treasury before IL was decided what to do
with it. 1t was finally determined to found
the present Institution. Its objects are to
assist me of science in making original re-
searches. 10 publish them n "a series OF vol
umes. and to give "a copy OF them TO every
fIrst-class library On the face of the earth.
HELP TO SCIENTISTS.
There are not many scientific invcsti-
gators in the United States TO whom a help
ing hand has not at some time been extend
ed by the institution, and the hand has often
reached across tie Atlantic Books, appa-
20 md al hut n
been supplied to thousands, and each year
a certain number OF money grants have been
made.
Not less important has been the personal
encouragement afforded and the advice
given in the tens OF thousands of letters of
information written in response to Inquiries.
1t is not. as some persons suppose, n teach.
ing institution, nor does il receive students.
ii constantly aids, however in the improve
ment of the educational system of the
country.
Prof Joseph Henry was the first secre-
tary chosen by the board of regents. He
was a man greatly distinguished in science.
and from the beginning he merged his lie
in that OF the institution. He was sue
ccedcd by Prof. Spencer Fullerton Baird,
who was elected in 1878. He was then The
leading authority on animals, birds. fishes
and reptiles in America; the founder of
the United States Fish Commission, and OF
public fish culture.
In 1887 he was succeeded by Samuel
pierpont Langley, the third and present
secretary who is pic- eminent as a physicist
and astronomer. the inventor Of the bolom-
cter: the dScoyerer of Tie greater portion
OF the infra-rcd spectrum, and the highest
authority upon the physics of the atmos-
phcre.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUSEUM.
Secretary Baird continued the develop
mcDt of the museum. which has been under
his special charge during his twenty seven
years Of service as assistant secretary; Sc
cured the erection of the new muScum
gave much attention to Zoologi-
cal ana cthnoiogical explorations. and IN
with his special work as Com
missioner of Fisheries, secured tie con
of tie exploring ship Albatross
and carried ON extensive investigations in
American waters.
To Secretary Langley is due the estab-
lishmeut of the National Geological Park
and the Astro Physical Observatory, re-
newed activity in the library aud exchange
work, and "A new system of encouragement
of original research in the physical as well
as the biological sciences. Under his ad
also, important donations and
bequests have been added TO the perma-
nenJ fund of the institution.
The limit of 81 LOCO 900 which may by
law be permanently deposited in the United
States Treasury at per cent having nearly
been reached. Congress has recognized the
of the institution to receive and
administer other funds beyond this limit.
thus making it possible for IL to undertake
the administration Of financial trusts for
any purpose within the scope OF its general
plan. The institution is governed by a
board Of regents, and the executive officer
is the secretary.
much during lis fifty years of existence
Chief among these are its publications,
which include many important aud authori-
tative works. There is Borestriction as To
subjects, and they cover almost every branch
Of science.
BOOKS GIVEN AWAY.
These books are practically given away,
for, although there is a provision for their
sale at cost price, only few hundred
dollars worth are sold each year. They
are regularly distributed TO about four
thousand institutions in all parts of the
world. and are supplied TO numerous private
The library is another i'm
portant feature Of the institution, and has
done more toward building up n
great library in Washington than would
had been possible had all its income been
devoted strictly TO literary work.
The Smithsonian Institution is the GUS
todan of the National Museum, which is
the only lawful place of deposit of ''lll
objects of natural history, plants and geo.
logical and Inineralogioal specimens be-
longing To the United States''
The nucleus of the collection consists of
The specimens brought home by the Wilkes
and other exploring expeditions, but for
many years the Museum was supported en-
tirely at the expense of the Smithso n fund,
and a considerable portion of the coIlec-
lions is the property of the institution.
Another important work of the institu-
ion is nown us the Smithsonian Systeniof