730 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



of the Smithsonian Institution that I think this is entirely 

 distinct from the documents which we publish sent to us 

 from the departments, or which emanate from our commit- 

 tees. This is purely a scientific work. It is the annual 

 report of the Smithsonian Institution, made in pursuance 

 of law to this body. To myself it may seem of very much 

 less value than to many others ; but I think no man can 

 ever examine a single report of that institution without 

 being impressed with its great value. These reports are 

 for the general reader perhaps of little use, being somewhat 

 technical and scientific ; but yet they are of immense value 

 to the world, and they are transmitted all over the world, 

 and we receive back in exchange the scientific reports of 

 difEerent societies and different governments. I think this 

 stands entirely distinct from the documents ordinarily 

 printed by Congress ; and I do not think the law or reso- 

 lution to which my colleague refers ought to apply to this 

 report, if it does technically ; and if it does, this has got to 

 pass the ordeal of the House, and it must be by a concur- 

 rent vote, which will express their opinion that this stands 

 distinct from other matters, as well as our own. I hope the 

 resolution will be concurred in. 



Mr. Morrill, of Maine. Only one word. Early in this 

 session we determined to arrest the publication of public 

 documents, and I think properly. I am not going to say 

 whether it is true or not, for on that I have my own opin- 

 ions, and they may not be in harmony with the public sense 

 on that subject — but one thing is clear, that from one con- 

 sideration or another, within the last few years, a very gen- 

 eral impression or sentiment or conviction has come to 

 obtain in the public mind that the publication of documents 

 by the Congress of the United States had become a very 

 great abuse. It took a variety of forms. It was an abuse 

 under the franking privilege, which overloaded the mails. 

 It was an expense in many ways, and it was a corruption in 

 itself That is a deep seated and thorough conviction in 

 the public mind, right or wrong, and I think the Senate of 

 the United States was wise wdien at the beginning of this 

 session it said it would pause in the publication and distribu- 

 tion of documents, for the present at least, until some wise 

 determination could be come at. 



Now, it may be that the views of my colleague render 

 this an exceptional case ; and it is a proper thing, possibly, 

 to publish the reports of the Smithsonian Institution, being 

 of a scientific character, so far as relates to itself; but this 

 resolution provides for their publication for distribution, 



