REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 33 



The binding of the books received through exchange continues to 

 be a large item of expense, and we have devoted the remainder of the 

 appropriation for the library, not expended in the purchase of books 

 or for clerical service, to this object. 



In relation to the books received by the copyright law, I have but 

 little to say in addition to what has been stated in preceding reports. 

 The provisions of the act are still disregarded, to a considerable extent, 

 by the larger publishers, and, as a general rule, works are received of 

 but little value in themselves and inconsistent with the character of 

 the library of the Institution. Though the cost of postage has been 

 diminished by the law of Congress authorizing the free transmission 

 of copyrights, yet it has by no means exempted the Institution from 

 a large item of expense on this account. The publishers frequently 

 inclose within the packages letters relating to the proper direction of 

 the certificates and other matter pertaining to the copyright, and by 

 a decision of the Post Office Department all such communications are 

 charged with letter postage. Though the sum in each case appears 

 insignificant, yet in the aggregate it may amount, in the course of a 

 year, to several hundred dollars ; and since the system from the begin- 

 ning has been of no real benefit to the Institution, we have addressed 

 a circular to each publisher who forwards a copyright and neglects to 

 pay the postage on the accompanying letters, apprising him of the fact. 



In conclusion, I may state that though the copyright law was un- 

 doubtedly intended to enrich the library of the Institution, yet the 

 non-compliance with it of some of the principal publishers, and the 

 reception of a large amount of worthless matter involving expense in 

 its transportation and care has entirely defeated this object. The cost 

 of the system has been at least ten times greater than the value of the 

 books received ; nor is this all ; a compliance with the act has constantly 

 subjected the Institution to unmerited censure. "We have therefore 

 been a loser both in funds and in the friendly feeling of an influential 

 portion of the community, and it is to be hoped that Congress will, at 

 its present session, essentially modify the existing law. The deposit 

 of a single copy of each article in the Patent Office, instead of the 

 three now sent to Washington, would be sufficient to secure the 

 rights of the author, and answer all the objects of a complete collec- 

 tion of this class of American publications. , 



Museum. — The general plan and. objects of the collections which 

 have been assiduously formed through the agency of the Smithsonian 

 3s 



