THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS, 1853-55. 575 



and dissatisfied an opportunity of assailing tbe institution 

 or its ofiicers at the public expense. 



Sir, I felt conscious then, as I do now, that the manage- 

 ment has been such in all material respects as ought to elicit 

 commendation. This I may say with the greater propriety 

 and freedom, for the reason that the causes which led to this 

 investigation originated and were fully developed before my 

 connection with the institution as a regent; a position, I 

 may add, supposed to be of some honor, but certainly one 

 of considerable labor, much responsibility, and no pecuniary 

 benefit whatever. 



That the management of an institution having so large 

 an endowment, and a design so comprehensive, should occa- 

 sion dift'erence of opinion and difficulty is not surprising in 

 the least. It would be more surprising were it otherwise. 

 Whilst all concur in desiring the accomplishment of the 

 great object Smithson had in view — "The increase and dif- 

 fusion of knowledge among men" — the wisest and best may 

 well differ as to the proper means to be used to attain that 

 end. 



Although not entirely approving all that has been done, I 

 must say, in view of the vastness of the subject, and that 

 Congress was ten years in adopting even the outlines of a 

 plan, that the present condition of the institution is not 

 only encouraging, but a subject of congratulation rather 

 than of censure, to those charged with the management of 

 its affairs. Sir, I ask where there has been any material 

 departure from the act of Congress or the will of Smithson? 

 Have the funds been squandered or improperly applied? Is 

 the institution in debt or its income exhausted? Have the 

 officers neglected their duty? Is there corruption or im- 

 proper conduct in any quarter? Sir, it is an easy matter to 

 criticise, to find fault, to indulge in loose statements and 

 undefined insinuations, but I have yet to hear alleged any 

 just and definite cause of complaint. Look at the financial 

 department, where corruption would most likely exist, if it 

 existed at all, and you will find the gratifying fact that it 

 has been so judiciously managed that after paying all the 

 current expenses the funds and property are this dwj actually 

 v>orth double the amount of the original bequest. Where, sir, in 

 this age of extravagant expenditure of public money and 

 deficiency bills, will you find a parallel to this? 



The regents are authorized to expend all the accruing in- 

 terest, but, so far from doing this, they have, by husbanding 

 the resources and by constant watchfulness over the disburse- 

 ments, actually saved the sura of $130,000, which they have 



