JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. XV 



It has been taken iis a matter of course that this order does not apply to the 

 parent institution, aud it is only as regards its application to Smithsonian bureaus^ 

 supported Avholly or in part by Government appropriations that I bring the letter 

 to the attention of the Regents. In the absence of their instructions the expression 

 of the President's wish has been taken as a command, and the classification referred 

 to signed. 



The Secretary then commuuicated to the Eegents a letter from one 

 of their number, the Hon. W. L. Wilson, Postmaster-General, on the 

 subject of the relations of the Smithsonian bureaus with the United 

 States civil service. Mr. Wilson also personally commuuicated to the 

 Board the fact that he had had a conference on this subject with the 

 President, who recognized that his letter could not apply to the Smith- 

 sonian Institution proper, which was not supported by Government 

 appropriations. 



The Eegents then discussed with some fullness the subject of these 

 relationships, and without adopting any resolution, indicated a line of 

 action which seemed to them suitable. 



The Secretary stated that he had been requested to appear before the 

 Joint Committee on the Library in the early part of last month, when 

 he had been asked what the National Museum had which would serve 

 to decorate the new Liljrary building. 



Senator Gray, after discussion, offered the following resolution, which 

 was adojjted: 



lieaolved, That in the opinion of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion it will not be expedient or wise to interfere with the integrity of the National 

 Museum by lending, for the decoration of the Library building, any of the articles 

 or property now in its care. 



The Secretary then exhibited to the Board the '^Half Century" 

 volume, explaining to what degree its preparation had arrived. He 

 also read a letter from Mrs. Coppee, conveying her acknowledgment of 

 the resolutions adopted on the death of her husband. Dr. Coppee. 



The Secretary then exhibited the Hodgkins medals, in silver and 

 bronze, with a statement of the number sent to contestants. 



Mr. Hubbard presented resolutions to the effect that the Chancellor 

 should appoint a committee, of which the Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution should be ex ofQcio, a member, to inquire into the condition 

 of various bureaus, with special reference to what could best be done 

 to increase their usefulness. Senator Henderson expressed the wish 

 that the Eegents would revise the work of the Executive Committee, 

 and stated that the Institution needed help in Congress. 



Senator Morrill remarked that, in view of the lateness of the hour, 

 the resolutions which had been proposed should be considered at 

 another meeting, and at the suggestion of the Chancellor it was 

 arranged that an adjourned meeting should be held on February 1, at 

 10 o'clock a. m. 



