XLVI JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 



sible office. We might therefore trust with the full assurance of faith 

 that the Institution in his case, as in the case of his distinguished 

 predecessors, would be only the gainer by such intervals of rest as he 

 might seek in the interest of his health, and by such vicissitudes of 

 labor as he might seek in the interest alike of this institution and of his 

 chosen studies. Such intervals of rest, or at least such variety of labor, 

 were especially necessary to a man who is placed under stress and pres- 

 sure of heavy administrative cares, like those devolved on the Directtr 

 of this Institutiou, and the Board had in the character of Professor 

 Langley the best possible guaranty that he could be freely trusted to 

 decide all such questions of duty according to a delicate and conscien- 

 tious sense of right. 



The Board then proceeded to ballot for the election of Secretary. Ten 

 votes were cast, all of which were found to be for Professor Langley, 

 who was thereupon declared by the Chancellor to be duly elected as 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



After some discussion upon the remaining two resolutions in the fore- 

 going series as reported by the executive committee— a discussion par- 

 ticipated in by Messrs. Morrill, Welling, Gray, Ooppee, and others — 

 the resolutions were withdrawn. 



Dr. Welling was appointed to inform Professor Langley of his elec- 

 tion, and having done so, he was introduced to the Board, and in a few 

 remarks expressed his acceptance of the office of Secretary with a solemn 

 sense of the responsibility devolved upon him, and high appreciation 

 of the honor which had been conferred. 



Dr. Welling otfered the following resolution, which was adopted: 



Whereas the remains of the late Prof. Spencer F. Baird have not yet 

 been committed to their last resting place; and 



Whereas this solemn ceremonial has been postponed at the request 

 of members of this Board and others, that the friends of the late Secre- 

 tary in Congress might have the opportunity of testifying by their pres- 

 ence at his grav^e the respect in which they held him while living, and 

 their reverence for his memory now that he is no more: Therefore be it 



Resolved, Tha,t the Secretary of the Institution, after conference with 

 Mrs. Baird, be requested to issue public notice of the time aud place 

 which shall be appointed for these funeral services, and to send a spe- 

 cial notice to the members of the Smithsonian Establishment and of 

 the Board of Regents. 



On motion of General Meigs it was — 



Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to call the annual meet- 

 ing of the Board for the present year at the time fixed for the funeral 

 of Professor Baird. 



On motion of Dr. Coppee it was — 



Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to purchase the oil por- 

 trait of Professor Baird, painted by Henry Ulke, now exhibited to the 

 Regents, at a cost not to exceed $300. 



The Board then adjourned to meet at the call of the Secretary. 



