336 CONGRESSIONAL PllOCEEDINGS. 



mittee about two years ago ; and he beld in his hand a bill 

 to that efiect, not acted on for want of time, and reported 

 by a distinguished South Carolinian, now in retirement, 

 [Mr. Preston.] 



He hoped, on reflection, it would again be found accept- 

 able to a majority of the committee and the Senate; espe- 

 cially when aided by some additional provisions, which he 

 would suggest. 



In order'to let others at large participate, if they pleased, 

 and had leisure, he proposed to unite with the officers of 

 the institute four persons from the difl^erent sections of the 

 Union ; and, to render the supervision of Congress as 

 strong and eflective as is proposed by the bill, to devolve 

 that duty on the Library Committee — a committee already 

 organized and talented, and peculiarly fitted, in some re- 

 spects, for matters of this character. 



In order, likewise, to avoid the delay and difficulties of 

 elections by the two Houses, he proposed to have this same 

 committee of Congress select the four members at large. 

 The amendment he was about to propose was intended to 

 accomplish not only these two general changes in the mode 

 of electing, and in more convenient residence of most of 

 the board, without any loss of fitness in station and pursuit, 

 and without being any less under the immediate control of 

 Congress and its committee; but to increase that control 

 by placing all their doings, and especially the mode of 

 drawing money from the Treasury, under increased securi- 

 ties, to" be prescribed from time to time by the , Library 

 Ooramittee. As the bill stood now, an account must be 

 opened with every individual dealt with or paid ; and no 

 bonds or security were required in any case. Mr. W. 

 wished to clothe the comniittce of Congress with authority 

 to remedy these defects, and not only make the whole board 

 of management subject to the acts of Congress and its 

 directions given from time to time ; but subject also to the 

 constant scrutiny of the standing committee of Congress in 

 both Houses. And so far from conferring salaries or dona- 

 tions on the board or on the institute, he would not give a 

 dollar to either, except to defray actual expenses incurred 

 in the discharge of the trust ; and not allow either to draw 

 a cent from the Treasury except in the manner and under 

 the security v/hich shall be prescribed by that standing com- 

 mittee of the two Houses. 



With these explanations, he submitted the amendment 

 he would now read : 



