We're in Rome, the Chamber of Deputies, June 10, 1878. The Assembly is committed to the "discussion Schema of the law for the purchase of an equatorial refractor to be placed in the Observatory of Brera. This is the telescope by Merz 49 cm in diameter. Price: € 250,000. Discussion
hot, the deputy Majocchi, before voting against the motion asks, with great irony, the "fiscal decentralization" for the province of Milan, so that it "will be released after the meal tax by two-thirds of its farming population poor, which feeds only on corn, will by itself also buy a refractor of 50 cm, not just 49. "
At the end of the purchase is approved and the next day, so Quintino Sella Schiaparelli wrote to his friend:
Tuesday June 11, 1878
Dear Friend,
here's the result of voting by secret ballot:
For: 192 Against
: 37
Voters: 229
The vote is really beautiful. And in offices and in the House it was said explicitly that it gave the telescope because it was an astronomer who was worth.
The estimate we have of you came to us very much in the vote.
You can be happy and proud of the demonstration so solemn, that I do not remember the same, who gave you your home.
The 37 votes against, do not exceed that of the usual fifteen votes against any law. Fifteen determined to vote against any cost, and also understands this feeling and should be respected.
Last night I spoke of books that deal with old measures. Send me an indication of the books or the books themselves if they are at your disposal. Would keep them a long time, and I have the rare virtues of returning the books, because I am very sorry if I have not returned.
Goodbye.
Your affectionate
Quintino Sella
Credits: Archives of the Astronomical Observatory of Brera, GV Schiaparelli Fund.
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