298 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



ates the duties of the superintendent, .so much of the succeeding- sec- 

 tions as the following words contain: 



And he (the superintendent) shall make experiments to determine the utility and 

 advantage of new modes and instruments of culture; to determine whether new fruits, 

 plants, and vegetables may be cultivated to advantage in the United States; and all 

 such fruits, plants, seeds, and vegetables as shall l)e found useful and adapted to any 

 of our soils and climate shall be distributed among the people of the Union. 



This would meet the wishes of the Senator from Ohio so far as 

 regarded the professor of agriculture and horticulture. It was his 

 design to move afterwards to strike out the seventh section, which 

 provides for a corps of professors, and to offer a substitute. 



Mr. Tappan thought there were other professors equally indispen- 

 sable^ — such as one on chemistry and one on astronomy. If a professor 

 of astronomy were attached to the Institution, the observatory could 

 be confided to its care, and the ver}^ valuable instruments it contains 

 would aflford facilities for the study of that branch of science at the 

 capital not to be obtained elsewhere in the Union. Chemistry was 

 also intimately connected with the objects of the Institution. 



Mr. Choate said discussion on these points would come up on a 

 future motion he should make. 



The question was then taken and the amendment adopted. 



Mr. Choate now moved to strike out the seventh section and to 

 insert in lieu of it the following: 



Sec. 7. Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: "That the board of man- 

 agers shall employ competent persons to deliver lectures, or courses of lectures, in 

 the Institution upon literature, science, and art, and the application of science and 

 art, during tlie sessions of Congress; to make regulations respecting attendance 

 thereon; to fix the rates of compensation therefor; and to prescribe from time to 

 time the subjects of such lectures, having regard to the character of the audience 

 before whom they are delivered and the intent of the donor — that is to say, the 

 increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." 



The amendment was adopted. 



Mr. Choate next moved to strike out the eighth section and to 

 substitute the following: 



Sec. 8. And whereas an ample and well-selected public library constitutes one of 

 the most permanent, constant, and effectual means of increasing and diffusing 

 knowledge among men: Therefore, 



Be it further enacted, That an annual expenditure be made from the interest of the 

 fund aforesaid, under the direction of the said managers, on the purchase of books and 

 manuscripts for the formation of a library of the institution aforesaid, which, for its 

 extent, variety, and value shall be worthy of the donor of the said fund and of this 

 nation and of the age. 



Mr. Crittenden moved to add to it a proviso that in the purchase 

 of books for said institution it should be regarded as a principal 

 object to purchase works on science and the arts, especially such as 

 relate to the ordinary business of life and to the various mechanical 

 and other improvements and discoveries which may be made. 



