REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 3 



It seems to me desirable in this connection to direct attention to the 

 exceptional advantages ofl'ered in the oro-auization of the Smithsonian 

 Institution for the administration of funds intended for the advance- 

 ment of science and the increase of knowledge throughout the world. 

 The governing board of the Institution is composed of the highest offi- 

 cers of the United States Government, associated with some of the most 

 distinguished men of learning in the country. The United States Gov- 

 ernment is itself pledged to the security of the funds of the Institution, 

 guaranteeing an interest of six per cent, annually. 



It is safe to say that no institution of learning is better knowu 

 throughout the world, and I am impressed with the belief that were it 

 also more widely known that the United States, in accepting the gift of 

 Smithsou, has signitied a willingness to become thecustodiau of further 

 bequests for the increase and diffusion of knowledge, its permanent 

 endowment would be constantly increased. 



The principal facts in relation to Smithson's bequest have been stated 

 in brief in my previous reports and elsewhere at considerable length, 

 and need not be repeated here. 



At the beginning of the fiscal year the balance on hand of the in- 

 come was $11,757.47. Interest on the invested fund, amounting to 

 $4:2,180, has been received from the Treasurer of the United States, 

 $.5,000 have been received from the estate of the late Dr. Jerome H. 

 Kidder, and a like amount from Dr. Alexander Graham Bell for the 

 prosecution of special researches in physics, to which allusion is else- 

 where made, and 8o,905,51 have been received from miscellaneous 

 sources, making the total receipts $07,842.98. 



The total expenditures have been $37,650.33, leaving an unexpended 

 balance on June 30, 1890, of $30,192.65, or, deducting the donations for 

 special researches noted above, amounting to $10,000, the balance 

 available for general expenses on July 1, 1890, was $20,192.65. This 

 sum, which is somewhat larger than usual, is in part held against cer- 

 tain anticipated grants in aid of scientific investigation and the cost of 

 their publication by the Institution. 



The Institution has been charged by Congress with the disbursement 

 during the year of the following special appropriations : 



For international exchanges $15,000 



For ethnological researches 40, 000 



For National Museum : 



Preservation of collections 140, 000 



Furniture and fixtures 30, 000 



Heating and lighting 12, 000 



Postage 1,000 



Printing 10,000 



For National Zoological Park 92, 000 



The vouchers for the disbursement of these appropriations, with the 

 exception of those for " ethnological researches," have been examined 

 by the Executive Committee, and the various items of expenditure, in- 



