Mr. SUMNER. Iain notaware, atan rate, that any such statement was made, an even if it was I do not know that I would consider it very important; but I have no recollection of it. Now, as to the suggestion of the Senfrom Maine that if we vote this it opens the way to something vast and infinite and magnificent in the future in regard to science, that does not make me tremble. I am not frightened at that, even though it may involve some expense, perhaps, in the next generation, for I do not think that we shall arrive at anything so vast and magnificent short of a Generation. The simple question now is on the proposition before us, and I betr Senators not to involve that proposition with the larger question which the Senfrom Maine soinge niously opens in some distant futurity, as to whether we may not be called to sustain a Bureau and then a Dept of science, the head of which may claim a seat in the Cabinet. I do not know that that would not be a hap y event. I certainly will not venture now to take ground against it. One of the most important cabinet ministers, as we all know, of one of the most civilized Governments of the age, oes under the name of the Minister of Public nstrnction LI refer to France and that place has been filled by some of the most eminent. personages in France, who have illustrated the iistory of this age. Sir, I do not know that we should suffer if we had something like that in our country now. But there isno such proposition before the Senate. I beg therefore to eliminate it. I merely refer to it. simply because it has been introduced by the Senator in order to divert attention from the simple proposition before us. The proposition before us involves no such thing as he opens to the view. It is, will you pay a very small sum for the publication of the proceedings of an eminent asso ciation of gent emen incorporated under your auspices, and by your very statute of incorporation placing themselves and their labors at the disposal of the Government? By that stat ute, and by the obligations this association have assumed to the Government, I submit that their position is exceptional. They are not, if I may so expres s it, outsiders. They bear a certain relation t of the Government, and I should be glad to recognize it in the very humble way which is now proposed by this clause.