Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 71.djvu/337

Rh second-hand from Europe, are we not cutting ourselves off from the means of returning light for light, while we have neither observatory nor observer upon one half of the globe, and the earth revolves in perpetual darkness to our unsearching eyes?"

As a result of this recommendation a bill was introduced into the house, establishing an observatory in the District of Columbia and authorizing the appointment of an astronomer, two assistant astronomers and two assistants. A committee of the house made a long and favorable report on the subject. The bill was not voted upon.

Adams's recommendation for an observatory formed a part of his policy of nationalism, paternalism and internal improvements. In his first annual message he had also recommended the founding of a national university and of a naval academy, the establishment of a uniform system of weights and measures, and liberal expenditures for roads and canals. This progressive and enlightened policy did not command the support of congress, and its bold announcement early in his administration strengthened the hands of his opponents. His plan for a national observatory they represented as impracticable, and even chimerical. His rhetorical phrase, "light-houses of the skies," was circulated as an illustration of the fancies of his mind, and was used to cast reproach upon his astronomical project. Recognizing the futility of urging the construction of an observatory, Adams did not after the first year of his presidency bring it again to the attention of congress during his term in the White House. For several years he discovered no opportunity for furthering his pet measure.

In December, 1835, President Jackson announced the bequest of a considerable sum of money by James Smithson, of London, for the purpose of founding in Washington an institution "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." In the house the message of the president and accompanying papers on this subject were referred to a committee of which Adams was chairman. He thus became intimately connected with the work of obtaining possession of the Smithson funds and later of deciding on their disposition and application. For more than ten years he was chairman of committees of the house on the Smithson bequest. Not until 1838, when all the requirements of the law had been complied with, did the United States obtain possession of the money. Our success in this particular was first made known in Washington in June, 1838. Adams lost no time in calling upon President Van Buren, and in explaining his views respecting the application of the income to be derived from the fund. On this subject he had probably made up his mind soon after the bequest was announced in 1835. He says that he suggested to Van Buren the "establishment of an astronomical observatory, with a salary for an astronomer and assistant, for nightly observations and periodical publications; annual