 
 CHAPTER 3--SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, NATIONAL MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
 
                    SUBCHAPTER I--CHARTER PROVISIONS
 
Sec. 47. Acting Secretary

    The chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution may, by an instrument 
in writing filed in the office of the Secretary thereof, designate and 
appoint a suitable person to act as Secretary of the Institution when 
there shall be a vacancy in said office, and whenever the Secretary 
shall be unable from illness, absence, or other cause to perform the 
duties of his office; and in such case the person so appointed may 
perform all the duties imposed on the Secretary by law until the vacancy 
shall be filled or such inability shall cease. The said chancellor may 
change such designation and appointment from time to time as the 
interests of the Institution may in his judgment require.

(May 13, 1884, ch. 44, 23 Stat. 21.)


                            Prior Provisions

    Similar prior provisions were contained in act Jan. 24, 1879, ch. 
21, 20 Stat. 264.
