THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS, 1853-1855. 545 



in adopting even the outlines of a plan, that the present condition of 

 the Institution is not only encouraging but a subject of congratulation, 

 rather than of censure, to those charged with the management of its 

 affairs. Sir, I ask where there has been any material departure from 

 the act of Congress or the will of Smithson ? Have the funds been 

 squandered or improperly applied? Is the Institution in debt or its 

 income exhausted? Have the officers neglected their duty? Is there 

 corruption or improper conduct in any quarter? Sir, it is an easy 

 matter to criticise, to find fault, to indulge in loose statements and 

 undefined insinuations, but I have yet to hear alleged any just and 

 definite cause of complaint. Look at the financial department, where 

 corruption would most likely exist if it existed at all, and you will find 

 the gratifying fact that it has been so judiciously managed that, after 

 paying all the current expenses, the funds and property are this day 

 actually worth double the amount of the original bequest. Where, 

 sir, in this age of extravagant expenditure of public money and 

 deficiency bills, will you find a parallel to this? 



The Regents are authorized to expend all the accruing interest; but 

 so far from doing this they have, by husbanding the resources and by 

 constant watchfulness over the disbursements, actually saved the sum 

 of $130,000, which they have now on hand to apply as a permanent 

 addition to the principal. What, then, is the result? A magnificent 

 building of ample dimensions has been erected at a cost of $300,000. 

 Books, apparatus, and other articles have been provided for the library, 

 museum, laboratory, and gallery of art, worth $85,000. Lecturers 

 have been employed, original researches made, many valuable scientific- 

 works published and distributed, the current expenses entirely paid, 

 and yet the principal is increased $130,000. And of the interest 

 expended I have yet to hear where one dollar was devoted to an 

 improper purpose. Does this look as if the Institution was badly 

 managed ? 



If I am asked, Mr. Chairman, what the Institution has done to carry 

 out the object for which it was designed, I reply that it has not had 

 time to do much. It is in its infancy. The building is but just com- 

 pleted, and it is not to be expected that a great establishment which is 

 to exist as long as this Government itself, is to be built up in a day. 

 The foundation is being laid deep and wide, and the noble work 

 will gradually but surely advance. 



But, sir, I think it can be shown that something has already been 

 accomplished; that a good beginning, at least, has been made, espe- 

 cially in view of the limited annual income which, from the original 

 fund, is less than $31,000. Why, a single report of the Patent Office 

 costs three times as much as the entire income of the Smithsonian 

 fund for a year. 



H. Doc, 732 35 



