Viewing page 30 of 84

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

XLVI   JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS.

sible office. We might therefore trust with the full assurance of faith that the Institution in his case, as in the case of his distinguished predecessors, would be only the gainer by such intervals of rest as he might seek in the interest of his health, and by such vicissitudes of labor as he might seek in the interest alike of this Institution and of his chosen studies. Such intervals of rest, or at least such variety of labor, were especially necessary to a man who is placed under stress and pressure of heavy administrative cares, like those devolved on the Director of this Institution, and the Board had in the character of Professor Langley the best possible guaranty that he could be freely trusted to decide all such questions of duty according to a delicate and conscientious sense of right.
  The Board then proceeded to ballot for the election of Secretary. Ten votes were cast, all of which were found to be for Professor Langley, who was thereupon declared by the Chancellor to be duly elected as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
  After some discussion upon the remaining two resolutions in the foregoing series as reported by the executive committee--a discussion participated in by Messrs. Morrill, Welling, Gray, Coppee, and others--the resolutions were withdrawn.
  Dr. Welling was appointed to inform Professor Langley of his election, and having done so, he was introduced to the Board, and in a few remarks expressed his acceptance of the office of Secretary with a solemn sense of the responsibility devolved upon him, and high appreciation of the honor which had been conferred.
  Dr. Welling offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

  Whereas the remains of the late Prof. Spencer F. Baird have not yet been committed to their last resting place; and
  Whereas this solemn ceremonial has been postponed at the request of members of this Board and others, that the friends of the late Secretary in Congress might have the opportunity of testifying by their presence at his grave the respect in which they held him while living, and their reverence for his memory now that he is no more: Therefore be it
  Resolved, That the Secretary of the Institution, after conference with Mrs. Baird, be requested to issue public notice of the time and place which shall be appointed for these funeral services, and to send a special notice to the members of the Smithsonian Establishment and of the Board of Regents.

  On motion of General Meigs it was--

  Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to call the annual meeting of the Board for the present year at the time fixed for the funeral of Professor Baird.

  On motion of Dr. Coppee it was--

  Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to purchase the oil portrait of Professor Baird, painted by Henry Ulke, now exhibited to the Regents, at a cost not to exceed $300.

  The Board then adjourned to meet at the call of the Secretary.