AMERICAN . 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ARTS. 
= [SECOND SERIES.] 
Art. L—The Smithsonian Institution. 
We have been silent but not uninterested spectators of the . 
controversy which has been so rife for a year past respecting the 
Smithsonian Institution. Now, however, when the discussion 
appears to have drawn to a close, or at least when the arguments 
on both sides are well nigh exhausted, it seems proper, in view of 
the relations which this Journal sustains to science and to the 
public, that we should take this important subject into dispas- 
sionate consideration, and place our conclusions bitte record, 
The official documents with which, we have to do, are: 
The will of the founder, James Sm 
- The Act of Congress entitled “ Ao a . establish the onlin: 
Be Nyaa for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among 
men,’’ passed in August, 1846. 
e eight annual Reports of pe Board of Regents of the Institu- 
tion, made to Congress, from 184 1854. 
All these are included in — pee Annual Report of the 
Board, showing the operations, expenditures, and conditions of 
the Institution up to Jan. 1, 1854, and the proceedings of the 
Board up to July 8th, 1854.. 
nd further, as to the points in controversy : 
4. Report of the special committee of the Board of Regents, Hon. 
Mr. Pearce, Chairman, relative to _ distribution of the income of the 
Smithsonian fund, made May 20, 1854, published in the Proceedings of 
ue’ Board, forming a part of the eighth annual Report, ~~ mentioned. 
. np Senuzs, Vol, XX, No, 58.—July, 1855. 
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