The House resumes consideration of the bill to establish the Smithsonian Institution, however debate turns to the Smithsonian fund rather than the establishment of the Institution. Mr. Sims objects that the purpose of Smithson's bequest is to ensure that his name would live on. Sims also makes the objection that it is not within the power of Congress to administer charities. Sims states that he would introduce a bill to send the money back to England. Mr. Adams suggests Congress deal with the problem of retrieving the fund from the state of Arkansas before further discussion on the establishment of the Smithsonian so that they would not make appropriation for the Institution with Treasury funds. Mr. Ficklin opposes the bill because it recognizes by law that the Smithson fund is placed in the Treasury, an action he believes to be objectionable.
