XVI PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 



SPECIAI, REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



In the absence of the chairman of the executive committee Doctor 

 Bell made a verbal report of the action of the committee, in Avhich he 

 included certain resolutions on which he asked the approval of the 

 Board. 



REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE. 



The Chancellor then read at length the report of the special com- 

 mittee appointed for the purpose of considering the question of 

 defining the powders of the executive committee, and after a discussion, 

 participated in by Senator Piatt, Doctor Bell, Senator Henderson, 

 and Judge Gray, Senator Henderson asked that the report might lie 

 over until the January meeting. 



The Chancellor suggested that it would be well to have the i-eport 

 and the exhibit of the past acts of the executive committee printed 

 and communicated to the members of the Board. 



The follow^ing resolutions were then adopted : 



Resolved, That the report of the special committee, together with its exhibit, 

 be printed and distributed to the members of the Board of Regents, and called 

 up at the January meeting for action. 



Resolved, That the executive committee's report, as presented by Doctor Bell, 

 be printed and distributed to the members of the Board of Regents, and called 

 up at the January meeting for action. 



COMPILATION OF LAWS AFFECTING SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



The Secretary presented the compilation of laws Avhich had been 

 prepared in accordance Avith a resolution offered by Senator Cockrell 

 at the meeting of INIarch 12, and adopted by the Board. 



On motion, the inanusci-ipt was referred to Senator Cockrell for 

 examination and (le(;ision as to printing. 



KEMOVAL OF SMITHSOn's REMAINS. 



The Secretary read a letter from the Hon. William Ileniy Bishop, 

 United States consul at Genoa, showing the need of action in the 

 removal of James Smithson's remains, owing to the imminence of 

 the proposed demolition of the cemetery in which they reposed. 



Doctor Bell renewed the proposition which he made at the last 

 meeting that the remains of Smithson be brought to this country at 

 his expense. 



After further remarks Judge Gray offered the following resolu- 

 tions, which were adopted : 



Resolved, That Dr. A. Graham Bell be appointed ;is ;) connnittee to lake 

 charge of the matter of the removal of tlie rcniaiiis ol .lames Smithson from 

 Genoa to Washington, with the request that the negotiations and removal be 

 conducted quietly and privately. 



