486 REPORTS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



presented to Congress, to take from the Institution, to be placed with the original 

 bequest, the sum of $150,000 be granted, there will then remain on hand, unexpended, 

 a sum sufficient to complete the whole of the exterior, all the interior of the two 

 wings and of the two ranges, and all the rooms of the towers of the building. This 

 space will be sufficient for the wants of the Institution, until the accumulating inter- 

 est will enable the Kegents to finish the remainder in accordance with the fire-proof 

 plan. 



At the last meeting of the Board, a new system of keeping the accounts and mak- 

 ing the disbursements was adopted. Prom the beginning of the Institution up to 

 this time, the accounts had been kept, and the disbursements made, by the Chairman 

 of the Executive Committee. This method was temporarily adopted, but had been 

 continued until the expiration of the term of service of the Hon. W. W. Seaton, 

 Chairman of the Executive Committee, rendered a change necessary. This gentle- 

 man had kept the accounts from the beginning, and made the disbursements without 

 charge to the Institution, and since it was not proper to burthen his successor with 

 such onerous duties, it was resolved that the following system be adopted : 



1. That an assistant be appointed to take charge of the funds for the current ex- 

 penses of the Institution, who shall give security for the safe-keeping of all moneys 

 belonging to the Institution, which shall come into his possession. 



2. That the fynds before-mentioned, be deposited, until otherwise ordered, with 

 Messrs. Corcoran & Eiggs, to the credit of the Treasurer of the Institution. 



3. That all bills presented for payment, shall be audited and certified by the Secre- 

 tary, on whose order, the Assistant, acting as Treasurer, shall pay them. 



4. That the Treasurer report to the Secretary, monthly, all payments made by him 

 during the preceding month. 



5. That all accounts be examined and certified by the Executive Committee. 



6. That the account books be kept in the Smithsonian building, so that the Secre- 

 tary and the Executive Committee may have ready access to them. 



The Hon. W. W. Seaton was chosen Treasurer, and signified his acceptance of the 

 office, but that he would receive no compensation for his services. 



The new system of accounts went into operation at the beginning of July last, and 

 has been continued up to this time with satisfaction to the committee. 



At the beginning of the Institution, it was not possible, before knowing the devel- 

 opment of the plans of organization in practical operation, to adopt a classification of 

 accounts showing the expenditure for different objects. The plan of operations is 

 now, however, so far established, that a system of classification may be adopted. 



The Secretary has, accordingly, with the assistance of the other officers of the In- 

 stitution, prepared a programme of accounts, which may serve until the building is 

 completed, and afterwards form the basis of a classification for all future operations. 

 This programme, which receives the approbation of the committee, is as follows : 



PEOGEAMME OP ACCOUNTS. 



I. BUILDING, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES, GROUNDS. 



1. Pay on contracts for building. 



2. Pay of architects and superintendents, including office and incidentals. 



3. Expenses of Building Committee, including clerk-hire 



4. Incidental expenses to building, viz : 



(1.) Experiments on, and tests of, building materials. 

 (2.) Examination of Quarries. 

 (3.) Miscellaneous. 

 (4.) Premiums paid architects. 

 6. Furniture and fixtures for uses in common. 



