552 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



benefit. The benefit is not for one nation, but for "men," who make 

 up all nations. It is for mankind, for humanity. The truths of science 

 admit of universal application. A truth that tends to enlarge and to 

 elevate the mind; a discovery that furnishes a new power, or makes a 

 new application of an old one, to administer in a greater degree to 

 the wants of men; a fact that opens to the analytic mind a new source 

 of evidence to determine what before was doubtful, are blessings for 

 a world. 



Mr. Chairman, it is contended by some that the act of Congress 

 organizing the Institution contemplated a library as the leading and 

 paramount object- of the plan. Sir, I do not so understand the law. 

 I am unable to find anything in it which conflicts with the will of 

 Smithson. The object of the law is declared to be to carry out his 

 wishes as expressed in the will. It provides a general outline for the 

 execution of the trust, but necessarily leaves much to the judgment of 

 the Regents, who are intrusted with the general management of the 

 Institution. It mentions a library, museum, etc., as objects to be 

 regarded, but does not require that all the income shall be applied to 

 the objects specially mentioned or a particular amount to any one of 

 them; and the ninth section expressly authorizes the Regents to make 

 such disposition of the income not required to carry out the provi- 

 sions specified elsewhere in the act "as they shall deem best suited for 

 the promotion of the purpose of the testator," which purpose is 

 declared in the title of the act to be "to establish the Smithsonian 

 Institution (not library) for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men." 



The law does not specify the sum that shall be expended upon the 

 museum or any of the objects mentioned. No amount is required to 

 be annually applied to a library, but there is a limitation that it shall 

 not exceed a certain sum. It may be less, much less, but in no event 

 more. Pains seem to have been taken to secure for all time the serv- 

 ices of gentlemen of talent and standing upon the Board of Regents, 

 and they are wisely and necessarily intrusted with some discretion in 

 the expenditure of the income and the general management of the 

 affairs of the Institution. Take, as an example, the item of books. 

 They are an article of trade, and their prices fluctuate in the market 

 as other articles of merchandise; one year it might be expedient to 

 make large purchases and another less. Who is to determine? Surely 

 the Board of Regents would best know what to buy, when, and in 

 what quantities, and the law very properly confers upon them such 

 discretion. It does not require the rapid accumulation of a library, 

 but, on the contrary, expressly provides, in the eighth section, "for 

 the gradual formation of a library composed of valuable works;" and 

 that, sir, is exactly what I understand to be the wish and design of a 

 majority of the present board. Why, sir, the Institution has alread} T , 



