DISCOURSE OF W.B.TAYLOR: — SOTES. 415 



parts lit' the plan of organization, lmt may mention that it included 

 the exchange of the published transactions of the [nstitution with 

 those «'!' literary and scientific societies and establishments, and pro- 

 vided li>r a museum, and library, to consist of a complete collec- 

 tion of tlic transactions and proceedings of all the learned societies 

 in the world, of the more important current periodica] publications 

 and other works necessary to scientific investigations : thus employ- 

 ing the instrumentalities pointed out in the law, as means of in- 

 creasing ami diffusing knowledge, entirely consistent with and 

 necessary to the plan of research and publication. This plan is no 

 longer experimental ; it has been tested by experience; it- success is 

 acknowledged by all who are capable of forming a correct estimate 

 of its results; and the [nstitution has every encouragement to pur- 

 sue steadily its system of stimulating, assisting, and publishing 

 research. - - - The committee submit to the Board the follow- 

 ing resolutions: Resolvt d, That the seventh resolution passed by the 

 Board of Regents on the 26th of January, 1847, requiring an 

 equal division of the income between the active operations, and the 

 museum and librarj , (when the buildings arc completed,) be and it 

 is hereby repealed. Resolved, That hereafter the annual appropri- 

 ations shall In' apportioned specifically among the different objects 

 and operations of the Institution in such manner as may in the 

 judgment of the Regents be necessary and proper for each, accord- 

 ing tu its intrinsic importance and a compliance in good faith with 

 the law."' This report was signed by six of the committee: Mr. 

 Meacham the last appointed member dissenting, and submitting an 

 elaborate minority report, which comprised a very able and inge- 

 nious argument in defence of the library plan, f The resolutions 

 offered by the committee were adopted by the Board of Regents 

 January 15, 1 855. 



As six of the fifteen Regents were by law selected from senators 

 and representatives, a very obvious resort for a member dissatisfied 

 with the action of a majority, was a motion in Congress for the 

 familiar "committee of inquiry." Accordingly Hon. James Mea- 

 cham moved in the House, January 17, 1855, that a select commit- 

 tee of five lie appointed, "and that said committee be directed to 

 inquire and report to the House whether the Smithsonian [nstitu- 

 tion has been managed, and its funds expended in accordance with 

 the law establishing the [nstitution; and whether any additional 

 legislation be necessary to carry out the designs of its founders: 

 and that said committee have power to send for persons and paper-." 

 The resolution was adopted by a vote of 93 to 91. J 



* Smithsonian Report for 1853, pp 81 '■' Sen ed 



-; Smithsonian Report for 1853, (appendix to II. It. ed.) pp. 247-296. 



J The Smithsonian Institution. By W .! Rhees, pp. 569-572. 



