THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS, 1853-55. 545 



the plan established bj Congress, as repealing, in effect, the 

 act of Congress, and setting up the will of the regents in 

 place of tlie will of the National Legislature! 



Something is said in the letter about the greatly aug- 

 mented powers of the secretary of the institution. I know 

 of no augmentation of the power of the secretary. A ques- 

 tion has arisen as to his right to discharge one of his assist- 

 ants. The board had determined that" he has a right to 

 discharge any of his assistants without a reference to the 

 board. They, however, have a controlling authority over 

 the whole subject; and if the secretary should abuse his 

 power in that respect, they would remove him, as they can 

 at any time remove all or any of his assistants, or the sec- 

 retary himself I may add, sir, that the secretary of the in- 

 stitution is a gentleman, as well as widely known to the 

 world of science; a profound philosophic scholar, and a 

 man of pure and stainless life. 



Mr. President, considering the form in which this matter 

 has been brought before us — as a solemn appeal from a re- 

 tiring member of the Board of Regents to the Senate, and 

 to the public-^it has seemed to me that it would be proper 

 that the Senate should investigate the subject. It has oc- 

 curred to me that it would be proper to appoint a special, 

 committee for that purpose. I make the suggestion, but I 

 do not submit any motion. If I were to submit such a mo- 

 tion, according to parliamentary usage, I should be put on 

 the committee as chairman — a position which I could by no 

 means think of accepting. It would, I think, be neither 

 delicate, nor in any respect proper, that a member of the 

 Board of Regents should sit in judgment on his own cause, 

 and over his fellows from whom he has differed. I throw 

 out the suggestion, however, with the hope that some Sen- 

 ator will submit the proper resolution. 



Mr. Mason. Mr. President, I regret that the learned and 

 distinguished gentleman who has declined further service in 

 this public trust, should have accompanied his resignation 

 by a communication of the character which has been com- 

 mented on by the honorable Senator from Maryland. I 

 regret it because it is impossible that such a communication 

 should be allowed to pass in silent;e when addressed to the 

 Senate, where are found some of those who have been asso- 

 ciated in that trust with the writer of the letter. I regret it, 

 because it is unpleasant and ungrateful to speak of the opin- 

 ions or conduct of those who are absent; but I feel at liberty 

 to do so on the present occasion, because the gentleman 

 35 



