FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS, 1897-1899. 18238 
half turkey or material not more expensive, scientific books and pam- 
phlets presented to and acquired by the National Museum Library, 
$17,000. 
(Stat., XXX, 1119.) 
UNIVERSITY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
December 13, 1897—Senate. 
Mr. Greorce L. Weiineton introduced bill (S. 2740): 
Be it enacted, etc., That there shall be, and is hereby, established, in the District of 
Columbia, a body corporate with the name of and to be known as the University of 
the United States, for the purpose of promoting the advancement of knowledge in its 
higher branches and to carry on instruction, research, and investigation for the ben- 
efit of mankind. Said corporation shall have a common seal, and may alter the same 
at pleasure; it may acquire and hold real and personal estate, and accept any devises, 
bequests, grants, and donations of money or of other property: Provided, That any 
condition thereof shall not be repugnant to this act and shall be agreed to by the 
board of regents, to be devoted to the uses and purposes aforesaid. It shall appoint 
the necessary officers and employees and have power to remove the same; and it 
may make and change by-laws and do such acts, not inconsistent with law, as shall 
be necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of its establishment. 
Sec. 2. That the government of said university shall be vested in a board of regents 
and a university council, respectively, as hereinafter set forth. 
Sec. 3. That the Board of Regents shall be composed of the President of the United 
States, who shall be president of the Board, the Chief Justice of the United States, 
the Commissioner of Education, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the 
president of the National Academy of Sciences, the president of the National Educa- 
tional Association, and the president of the university, and of nine other citizens of 
the United States, no two of whom shall be citizens of the same State, and who, with 
their successors, shall be appointed by the President of the United States, by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate. Any vacancy occurring in the office of 
any regent thus appointed shall be filledin like manner. The regents thus appointed 
in the first instance shall be divided into three classes, to be determined by lot. The 
first class shall hold office for two years; the second class shall hold office for four vears; 
and the third class shall hold office for six years; and the term of office of regents 
appointed to fill vacancies occurring in the three classes thus formed shall be filled 
in the same manner by appointments for the residue of the term. Vacancies occur- 
ring by expiration of a term shall be filled by appointments for six years. A majority 
of all the members of the board of regents shall constitute a quorum for the transac- 
tion of business. 
Sec. 4. That the university council shall consist of the board of regents and of 
twelve other citizens of the United States, to be appointed by the board of regents 
from among eminent educators connected with institutions of learning in the United 
Slates; but no more than one shall be appointed or hold office from any one State at 
the same time. The twelve members first so appointed shall at the time of 
their taking office be divided by lot into three classes; the first class shall hold office 
for two years; the second class shall hold office for four years, and the third class 
shall hold office for six years. Vacancies happening during their terms in any of 
the classes shall be filled by appointments by the board of regents for the residue of 
the vacant terms. Vacancies in any of the classes occurring by expiration of the 
term of office shall be filled by appointments by the board of regents, for the term 
of six years, from among eminent educators connected with institutions of learning 
in the United States; but no more than one shall be appointed from any one State; 
