156 SPECIAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



the purpose of a public reception to the President elect, Hon. James A. 

 Garfield, on the evening of the 4th of March next ; therefore, 



'•'• Resolved., That the Executive Committee submit this application to 

 the Board of Regents at its next meeting, with its approval and with 

 the recommendation that the request be granted." , 



The Committee furthiermore make the following statement : 



The new National ]\Iuseum building has been substantially com- 

 pleted and made ready for occupancy within the appropriations by Con- 

 gress. A detailed account of the history of operations of its construc- 

 tion will be presented at the annual meeting of the Board in January 

 next. 



The Building Commission has refrained from completing the floors of 

 the rotunda and large halls or naves according to the original plans, 

 which provided only for concrete and cement, on account of the remon- 

 strances of prominent members of Congress, who urged that such floors 

 were unsuitable to, and unworthy of, so fine a building, and their assur- 

 ances that appropriations would doubtless be made at the approaching 

 session of Congress for marble or tile floors for these halls. 



The Committee report that provision has been made so that the floors 

 of the rotunda and four naves leading to the main entrance of the build- 

 ing may be laid in marble or tile instead of cement, and that if an ap- 

 propriation of $25,000 be made immediately, the building will be ready 

 for the reception of the President on the 4th of March next, fully adapted 

 and provided with heat, light, and all the facilities required for the oc- 

 casion. 



In conclusion, the Committee respectfully submit the following reso- 

 lutions to the Board for adoi)tion : 



^^ Resolved, That the Chancellor and Secretary of the Smithsonian In- 

 stitute execute a contract with Mr. W. W. Story, of Eome, for the statue 

 in bronze of the late Prof. Joseph Henry, authorized by the act of 

 Congress of June 1, 1880, with the provision for payment of the sum of 

 $3,750 to Mr. Story on completion of his design for the statue ; the sum 

 of $3,750 on completion of the model in clay ; the sum of $3,750 on com- 

 pletion of the statue in bronze ; and the sum of $3,750 on delivery and 

 erection of the statue with its pedestal in the city of Washington, on 

 the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution, and furthermore that Mr. 

 Story shall cause the said statue to be insured for the amount of the ad- 

 vance payments to him, against perils by land or by sea, which insur- 

 ance shall, in case of loss, be paid to the Smithsonian Institution for the 

 benefit of the United States. 



'•'■Resolved, That for the purpose of substituting a marble or tile floor- 

 ing, instead of concrete, as originally designed, for the large halls in the 

 National Museum, an appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars be 

 requested of Congress, to be expended according to the plans and under 

 the direction of the building commission of the Board of Eegents of the 



