684 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



sonian Institution to bo members of the National Institute; 

 which was read twice by its title. 



Mr. Trumbull. I scarcely know to what committee it 

 would be desirable to refer this bill, and unless somebody 

 wishes it referred, I shall ask the Senate to act upon it at 

 once. If the Senate will indulge me for one moment in 

 making an explanation of it, I ihink there will b.e no objec- 

 tion to it. 



The act establishing the Smithsonian Institution provided 

 that two of the regents should be residents of the city of 

 "Washington and members of the National Institute in the 

 city of IVashington. The National Institute was an incor- 

 porated association, and its charter has expired. It did not 

 meet with much success ; it has been dissolved ; and there 

 are now no members of the National Institute. There is a 

 vacancy in the Board of Regents, occasioned by the death 

 of General Totten, which needs to be filled, but it cannot 

 be filled by the appointment of a resident of Washington 

 and a member of this institute, as there are no longer any 

 members of this institute. The objectof this bill is to re- 

 peal that provision of the law which requires that two re- 

 gents should be members of the National Institute. I hope 

 the Senate will let the bill pass at once, as it is desirable to 

 fill that vacancy. 



There being no objection, the Senate, as in Committee of 

 the Whole, proceeded to consider the bill. 



Mr. CoLLAMER. I do not know that I understand the 

 gentleman aright. Is it proposed to repeal that part of the 

 law which requires them to be inhabitants of Washington ? 



Mr. Trumbull. No, sir ; not at all. I ask the Secretary 

 to read the bill again, so that the Senator from Vermont 

 may see that it does not repeal that part of the law requir- 

 ing them to be residents of Washington. 



The Secretary read the bill, as follovt's : 



Be it enacted, tf-c, That so much of the " act to establish the Smithsonian. 

 Institute for the increase and diflusion of Icnowledge among men" as re- 

 quires that two of the regents of said institution shall be members of the 

 National Institute, in the city of Washington, be, and the same is hereby, 

 repealed. 



The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, 

 ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, read the third 

 time, and passed. 



House of Representatives, December 23, 1863. 



The Speaker announced that this being the day fixed for 

 the appointment of three Regents for the Smithsonian In- 

 stitution, he had appointed Messrs. S. S. Cox of Ohio, Henry 



