56 THE SWEDISH RACE*BIOLOGICAL INSTITUTE 



to make. In consideration of this, and with regard to the opinion which Parlia* 

 ment expressed last year, when it empowered the explication on this matter, the 

 Committee thinks that it should assent to the Royal proposition on principle. A 

 further reason for this is, according to the opinion of the Committee, the fact that a 

 principal for the Institute can now be appointed ; a deserving investigator who has, 

 for a considerable time laboured in this science, and whose activity, in the opinion 

 of the Committee should be continued to aid the completion of the work which 

 he has so successfully commenced. If the Committee thus consider that they should 

 on principle, support the Royal proposition, the Committee cannot, entirely, on 

 account of the financial condition of the State now ruling, support the same. 

 Nevertheless they are of opinion that an Institute of this description should by 

 degrees be organized and developed to such an extent, that the results attained, 

 warrant such organization and development.* 



On the 13th of May both Chambers in Parliament assented without a divi* 

 sion, to the proposition of the Committee, the First Chamber, without debate, and 

 the Second Chamber, after a short one. The Minister of Agriculture, N. Hansson 

 M. P., made a brilliant speach in the Second Chamber, in favour of the Institute, 

 and this was loudly applauded. 



The Swedish Government owing to this resolution, have led the way, and 

 given an example worthy of being followed by other countries in nourishing this 

 important young science, which is called Race^biology. That this could be ac* 

 complished in the midst of a period of a very serious financial crisis, is really due 

 to one man, Professor Herman Lundborg. He has, for twenty years, with small 

 financial resources, a burning desire for investigation, unconquerable energy, rare 

 and admirable disinterestedness, devoted the whole of his strength to the achiev* 

 ment which has now gained a Governmental acknowledgement; and the future 

 development of which is thus in safe hands. The resolution is, to a large extent, 

 the fruit of Professor Lundborg's scientific contributions, and the revival of eugen 

 ics, which he, more than anyone else, has helped to give our people. For a 

 moment it looked as if the financial troubles in Parliament would have stifled the 

 suggestion of an Institute. Professor Lundborg did not however hesitate a mo* 

 ment, in deciding to allow the whole question to fall through for the present, 

 rather than receive the personal honour and security, which a professorship would 

 have procured him, when he saw that science would be too badly served by such 

 a solution of the problem. He would not have been the idealistic and unsel* 

 fish man he is, if he had acted otherwise. He has earned the thanks of the 

 Swedish people. 



