Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1909-12-22
.SM|THSON'S REQUEST
Origin of the Famous SnilhSo-
Man institution.
THE CONTROL OF ITS FUNDS.

Uncle Sans Treasury Holds It's Mon
ey. Which Can Be Used Only on Ap-
preparation by ConSress--lts Peeui-
lar Relation to the Governments
Although the name OF the Smiihso-
Man Institution is common house
hold word in America and millions
OF persons have visited the great build
ings in Washington where are stored
the contributions OF science which
have been gathered under its auspices.
few understand the real relation OF the
institution to the national government
Most persons believe that il is part
OF the government
The Smithsonian institution. says the
Washington Times. occupies peculiar
relation TO this government II is a
part of il. and yet il is not part Its
moneys are in the United States treas
ury and can be used only on appro-
priation by congress. and YET this
money does not belong TO the govern
ment 1t is TO the government only
as the money OF ward IS TO n guard.
ian.
James SmithSon. who contributed
the bulk or the fund In the hands OF
the institution. was an Englishman.
the son OF a peer OF the realm He
was man who could trace his anccS-
try back TO royal blood. He never Wis
tied In America and was never known
10 have any particular partiality for
America until he wrote his will in
1876. BE died ut Genoa In 1929. and
when they opened his viii this Is what
they read:
II beQueathcd the whole OF my prop
erty TO the United States OF America
20 found at Washington. under the
name OF the Smithsonian institution.
an establishment for the increase and
diffusion OF knowledge among men.
This property amounted To about
$4,000. which was In that day a
princcly fortune. Six years after his
death the United States legation al
London was Informed shat there was
abou; S5Oo.Oo0 in the possession or the
adjutant general OF the British court
of cha merry awaiting claimant.
Immediately there arose In America
all kinds OF opposition to the accept.
ance Of the money. John G. Calhoun
and William G. Preston urged with
all the fire Of their eloQuencc that II
was beneath the dignity OF this gov
eminent TO accept such gift. But
John Quincy Adams and others pre-
vailed. and Richard Rush was sent 10
England to prosecute the claim OF this
government.
He was successful. and on Sept. I.
1898. the money was delivered az the
min; IN Philadelphia I'm the shape OF
10I.9GO gold sovere!gns. which were
minted into S5OS3lS.46 in American
money
This sum by careful management
and by additions from other charitably
incliucd persons has now become about
$l.0D.Oo0. which the government keeps
and pays interest upon for the main
te@ance OF the institution.
For the first eight years the money
lay In the treasury while plans were
being formulated for the permanent
establishment described by Smithson
IN his will. Thousands or letters were
received. and there were schemes
enough proposed 10 bankrupt several
governments. Congressman debated
over this fund repeatedly. and hun
dreds OF pages OF the Congressional
Globe were given up to II.
The institution has been worked out
on such broad lines as 10 be one OF
the greatest forces in scientific re-
search In the world
The board OF regents is composed or
the vice president of the United States.
the chief justice OF the United States.
three United States senator's. three
representatives and six citizens OF the
United States at large
The National museum, the weather
bureau. the geological park at Wash
ington. the fisheries bureau and the
astrophysicai observatory have been
developed by the institution.
The objects OF the institution. as
described by its first secretary, Joseph
Henry. have been adhered TO through
the years OF its existence. They are
10 increase knowledge by original In
designations and study either In SCI
ence or literature and 10 diffuse knowl-
edge not only Through the United
States. but everywhere. especially by
promoting an Interchange OF thought
among those prominent In learning in
all nations. No restriction is made
In favor OF any one branch OF knowI-
edge
The leading features OF the plan of
Professor Henry were. 10 his own
words:
TO assist men OF science in making
original researches. TO publish them in
series OF volumes and TO give copy
OF them TO every first class library In
the world"
Books. laboratory accommodations
and apparatus have been supplied to
thousands OF investigators throughout
the United States
Unprincipled Wretch.
You simply cannot trust anybodvr'