:292 PROCEEDINGS OF THE OHIO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



that there is great need of wise counsel whenever laws relating 

 to the applications of scientific discovery are under considera- 

 tion by a legislative body whose members must of necessity be 

 largely ignorant of the basic principles involved. 



It will probably be suggested that the state already has at 

 its command a body of scientific and technical advisors in the 

 several faculties of the state universities and that these, being 

 already in its employ, can more appropriately be called upon for 

 .service. But there are numerous other institutions of learning, 

 in the faculties of which are to be found men of high scientific 

 attainments and great technical knowledge and skill, men who 

 are recognized by the members of the State University faculties 

 as their peers in every respect, and the state should be glad to 

 be able to avail itself of their accomplishments. Besides these, 

 with whom science or technology is a profession, there will 

 always be other citizens of Ohio (and may their tribe increase) 

 who, though not connected with any educational institution, are 

 lovers of learning and successfully engaged in research in some 

 department of science. Their knowledge and experience may 

 also be made available through the academy, of which they are 

 almost certain to be members. Aside from the fact that the 

 academy will constitute a much larger group than the faculties 

 of the state universities from which expert counsellors may be 

 chosen there can be no doubt that its advice would always have 

 a higher value on account of its independence of action and free- 

 dom from political control or legislative influence. Even college 

 professors are not wholly exempt from the weaknesses of human 

 nature and conditions might arise in which it would go hard 

 with them to oppose in report or recommendation a strong move- 

 ment of the majority of a body of men to whom they must look 

 for appropriations necessary to their continued existence. In- 

 stances in which such influence was successfully exerted would 

 be, of course, extremely rare, but suspicion of its presence might 

 be much less so. 



There is a weakness in the third of the three great divisions 

 of our governmental system which has long been deplored by 

 all thoughtful people, to the cure of which a state academy of 

 sciences might make a large contribution. 



