XII JOURNAL OF THE BOARD. 



May the Smitlisooian iDstitution, so auspiciously establisbed and ex- 

 tensively known, continue, under your wise administration, an estab- 

 lishment distinct and specific, for the " increase and diffusion of knowl- 

 edge among men." 



With great respect, your friend and servant, 



Peter Pahkek. 



2 Lafayette Square, 



Washington, D. €., April 7, 1884. 



The Secretary informed the Board that Congress had filled the va. 

 cancy occasioned by the resignation of Dr. Parker by the election of 

 Dr. James C. Welling, president of Columbian University of Wash- 

 ington, D. C, for six years from May 13, 1884. 



On motion of Dr. Maclean it was — 



Resolved, That the Board of Eegents has lieard with regret of the 

 resignation of Dr. Peter Parker, and hereby expresses the high appre- 

 ciation of the valuable and efficient services he has rendered the Insti- 

 tution for the past seventeen years as a Eegent and as Chairman o( its 

 Executive Committee. 



The Secretary stated that in accordance with the rules of the Board 

 during its recess, the remaining members of the Executive Committee 

 had filled the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Dr. Parker, by 

 the appointment of Dr. Welling. 



On motion of Dr. Copp6e it was — 



Resolved, That Dr. Welling be elected to fill the vacancy in the Ex- 

 ecutive Committee. 



The Secretary reported that in accordance with the request of the 

 Board at its last meeting. Senator Edmunds had prepared a bill lela- 

 tive to the provision for an Acting Secretary, which had passed Con- 

 gress and become a law on the 13th of May, 1884, as follows : 



An act to provide for the appointment of an Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 [Public No. 31, Forty-eighth Congress, first session.] 



Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 

 States of America in Congress assembled. That the Chancellor of the 

 Smithsonian Institution may, bv an instrument in writing filed in the 

 office of the Secretary thereof, designate and appoint a suitable person 

 to act as Secretary of the Institution when there shall be a vacancy in 

 said office, and whenever the Secretary shall be unable from illness, 

 absence, or other cause to perform the duties of his office ; and in such 

 case the ])erson so appoiutetl may perform all the duties imposed on the 

 Secretary by law until the vacancy shall be filled or such inability shall 

 cease. The said Chancellor may change such designation and appoint- 

 ment from time to time as the Institution may in his judgment require. 



Approved, May 13, 1884. 



