PROCEEDINGS OF THE OHIO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 295 



ties, whose life work is the ascertainment of facts, the discovery 

 and announcement of truth regardless of consequences, and ar- 

 bitration would no longer mean a mere temporary expedient or 

 an illogical and unsatisfactory compromise. 



Much of the history of modern civilization might be sum- 

 moned in support of my contention that training and discipline 

 in the methods of scientific investigation may be depended upon 

 above all other processes to give men power to distinguish be- 

 tween the true and the false ; to analyze and reconcile confusing 

 and contradictory evidence, and to extract therefrom whatever 

 of truth it may conceal. For such men are guided by the senti- 

 ment that inspired Galileo when, in speaking of the Copernican 

 system of the universe and other scientific doctrines which the 

 Pope had condemned he had the courage to say : 



while there can be no doubt that his holiness has absolute power either to 

 admit or condemn, it is not in the power of any creature to make thein 

 to be true or false otherxi'ise than in their ozcn nature and in fact they 

 are. 



Omitting further consideration of the many ways in which 

 the academy might serve the state, and ignoring entirely the 

 intrinsic value of contributions to science which its existence 

 might make possible, I must refer briefly to the reciprocal ob- 

 ligation of the state to the academy. 



In the beginning the question was asked, "What has the 

 state done for the academy?" and the answer was, "nothing." 

 My answer to the question what should the state do for the acad- 

 emy is almost as brief. It is, "not much." Its usefulness to 

 the state will depend largely on its being free from state con- 

 trol or departmental influence. At the same time their mutual 

 relations should be close enough to justify the state in calling 

 upon it at any time for services of the kind I have indicated. 

 The provision in the charter of our National Academy already 

 quoted seems to be quite satisfactory. In return for services 

 which in time will become both numerous and valuable the state 

 should do two things for the academy. It should undertake the 

 publication of its annual reports, including monographs, memoirs 

 and other contributions to its proceedings which are judged to 



