JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. XVII 



also stated that it was, however, probable that certain bonds deposited 

 by Mr. Hodgkins in a trust company, though forming no portion of the 

 residuary estate, would come to the institution, and he asked the instruc- 

 tions of the Eegents as to their disposition. 



Dr. Welling then read the following resolution : 



Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to sell at the market price, any bonds 

 or securities which may accrue to the iustitution as residuary legatee of the late 

 Thomas G. Hodgkins, or from any trust instituted by him in its favor, if it is in the 

 Secretary's judgment desirable to do so; and should there accrue any further sura 

 not demanding the special consideration of the Regents by its importance, that he 

 be authorized to apply it to the general purposes of the institution. 



On motion of Senator Cullom, the resolution was adopted. 



The Secretary then brought before the board the matter of the 

 change in the organization of the establishment, calling attention to 

 two points for consideration : 



At a meeting of the Regents on January 28, 1891, the Secretary stated 

 that he had been authorized by the President, the Vice-President, the 

 Chief-Justice, and other members of the establishment to ask for legis- 

 lation to make the establishment consist of the President, Vice-Pres- 

 ident, Chief-Justice, and all the heads of Departments. 



Since the Institution was established the place filled by the Commis- 

 sioner of Patents would seem to have been taken by the creation of the 

 Secretary of the Interior. The Secretary of Agriculture has been cre- 

 ated, while the office of the governor of the District of Columbia no 

 longer exists. 



The proposed change would be covered by the following act: 



Be it enacied, etc , That "An act to establish the Smithsonian Institution for the 

 increase and diffusion of knowledge among men," approved August 10, 1846, Revised 

 Statutes, Title lxxiii, be, and the same is hereby, amended in Section 5579 of said 

 act by striking out the words "the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, 

 the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, the Postmaster-General, the Attor- 

 ney-General, the Commissioner of the Patent-0f6ce, and the governor of the District 

 of Columbia, and such other persons as they may elect honorary members," and 

 inserting the words "the heads of P^xecutive Departments," so that the section will 

 read : 



"Sec. 5579. The President, the Vice-President, the Chief-Justice, and the heads 

 of Executive Departments are hereby constituted an establishment by the name of 

 the 'Smithsonian Institution' for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among 

 men; and by that name shall be known and have perpetual succession, with the 

 powers, limitations, and restrictions hereinafter contained, and no other." 



The Secretary said that he had consulted the President, the Vice- 

 President, the Chief Justice, the Secretary of State, and those two 

 members of the Cabinet mostly interested, and had their sanction in 

 making this suggestion, and though it was a matter which concerns 

 the establishment, he thought it proper to state his proposed action to 

 the Regents, and if there were no objection on their part, he would 

 infer their assent to this the first amendment sought. 

 SM 93 ir 



