306 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



the elections of them by the two Houses on some occasions difficult, 

 and open to improper influences. 



There would be no objection to the Vice-President and Chief Justice 

 as members of the board, on account of the character of the present 

 incumbents; but neither of them lived here, nor did any of the six 

 members of Congress proposed to be appointed — nor any except two 

 of the other managers to be selected at large. Now, as no compensa- 

 tion was to be given as salary or a per diem, it must be obvious that 

 seldom would any one attend to the business, unless residing on the 

 spot. For, though some would be here at times officially, yet we all 

 know that it was under a pressure of other engagements likely to 

 prevent a close attention to this trust. 



What Mr. Woodbury wished to propose instead of this was the 

 officers of the National Institute — most of whom lived in this city, and 

 five or six of whom consisted ex officio of the President and his Cabinet, 

 as a public check — equal to that of the Vice-President and Chief 

 Justice, and superior in position, as always on the spot. 



This plan had the approbation of a former library committee about 

 two years ago; and he held in his hand a bill to that effect, not acted 

 on for want of time, and reported by a distinguished South Carolinian, 

 now in retirement [Mr. William C. Preston]. 



He hoped, on reflection, it would again be found acceptable to a 

 majority of the committee and the Senate; especially when aided by 

 some additional provisions, which he would suggest. 



In order to let others at large participate, if they pleased, and had 

 leisure, he proposed to unite with the officers of the institute four per- 

 sons from the different sections of the Union; and, to render the 

 supervision of Congress as strong and effective as is proposed by the 

 bill, to devolve that duty on the Library Committee — a committee 

 alreadjr organized and talented, and peculiarly fitted, m some respects, 

 for matters of this character. 



In order, likewise, to avoid the delay and difficulties of elections by 

 the two Houses, he proposed to have this same committee of Congress 

 select the four members at large. The amendment he was about to 

 propose was intended to accomplish not only these two general changes 

 in the mode of electing, and in more convenient residence of most of 

 the board, without any loss of fitness in station and pursuit, and with- 

 out being any less under the immediate control of Congress and its 

 committee, but to increase that control by placing all their doings, 

 and especially the mode of drawing money from the Treasury, under 

 increased securities, to be prescribed from time to time by the Library 

 Committee. As the bill stood now, an account must be opened with 

 every individual dealt with or paid; and no bonds or security were 

 required in any case. Mr. Woodbury wished to clothe the committee 

 of Congress with authority to remedy these defects, and not only make 



