796 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



well-being of man and tend not only to enlarge his sphere of mental pleasures but to 

 promote the application of science to the arts of life. 



As to the special plan of Captain Howgate— that of establishing a colony of 

 explorers and observers to be continued for several years — I think favorably. 



The oV)servations M'hich have previously been made in the arctic regions have 

 usually been of a fragmentary character and not sufficient in any one case to estab- 

 lish the changes of the observed phenomena during an entire year, whereas to 

 obtain even an approximation to the general law of changes a number of years are 

 required. 



It may be proper to state, in behalf of the National Academy of Sciences, that 

 should Congress make the necessary appropriation for this enterprise the Academy 

 will cheerfully give a series of directions as to the details of the investigations to be 

 made and the best methods to be employed. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Joseph Henry, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution, 

 President Nalional Academy of Sciences. 

 Hon. Ben.i. a. Wilms, 



House of Representatives. 



• Recommitted. 



February 28, 1878— House. 



Report No. 96 referred to Committee of the Whole. 

 June 18, 1878— House. 



Rejected. Yeas 86, nays 127. 



VKNTII.ATION OF HALL OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 



February 4, 1878 — House. 



Mr. Casey Young, from the Select Committee on Ventilation of the 

 Hall of the House of Representatives, submitted a report (No. 191): 



[Extract.] 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Wasldngton, D. C, January S6, 187 S. 

 Sir: I have the honor, in behalf of the advisory commission on the heating 

 and ventilation of the Hall of the House of Representatives appointed by your 

 honorable committee, to transmit to you herewith the final report of the commis- 

 sion, accompanied by sundry papers received from your committee, and also a report 

 on the heating and ventilation of the British Houses of Parliament, and a report on 

 the original plan of heating and ventilating the Capitol. The report of the commis- 

 sion herewith transmitted has involved much original investigation and the examina- 

 tion of the most relialjle authorities on the subject. The members of the commission 

 have inspected the buildings in this country most celebrated for effective ventilation, 

 and have availed themselves of a visit to Europe, on other business, made by Dr. 

 Billings, one of the members of the commission, to obtain the latest information on 

 the same subject from that country. 



It is hoped, therefore, that this report, with its appendices, will be deemed of 

 sufficient importance to warrant its publication in full, with proper illustrations, for 

 the use of the public. The subject is one of great difficulty, and in regard to which 

 much general misconception prevails, as well as a want of a knowledge of the estab- 

 lished principles upon which the art of heating and ventilation depends. 

 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Joseph Henry, Oiairman. 

 Hon. Casey Young, 



Chairman Committee on Ventilation of the House of RepreseMatives. 



