NATIONAL MUSEUM BUILDINGS. 273 



The increase in the national t-ollections (hiring the last eight years may perliapg 

 be best described V)y tlie statement that in 1882 the total number of specimens 

 recorded in the Museinn was about 183,000; while in 1890 the records indicated the 

 possession of nearly 3,000,000 specimens. Tt is ])roper to say in this connection that 

 the actual increase was not so great as shown by the records, sinc(^ during this period 

 a large amount of material previously received had l)een brought luider control and 

 placed on the I>ooks of the Museum. It should also be l)orne in mind that the pres- 

 ent Museum building was planned with reference to the reception of the material in 

 its custody at the time of its construction. 



During- the Fifty-first Cong-ress the question of a new building was 

 frequently under discussion, but without result. On February 19, 

 1890, Senator Morrill, from the Committee on Public Buildings and 

 Grounds, reported Senate bill No. 2740, which provided: 



That for an additional fireproof building for the use of the National Museum, 300 

 feet square, with two stories and a basement, to be erected under the direction of 

 the Architect of the Capitol, with the approval of the Regents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, in accordance with plans now on file with the Committee on Puldic 

 Buildings and Grounds, on the southwestern portion of the grounds of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, there shall be appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury 

 not otherwise ai>proiiriated, the sum of '$500,000; said building to be placed west of 

 the Smithsonian Institution, leaving a roadway between it and the latter of not less 

 than 50 feet, with its north front on a line with the south face of the Agricultural 

 Department and of the Smithsonian Institution, and constructed as far as practicable, 

 after proper advertisement, by contract or contracts awarded to the lowest responsi- 

 ble bidder, and all expenditures for the purposes herein mentioned shall be audited 

 l)y the proper officers of the Treasury Department. 



On April, 9, 1890, the same bill was submitted to the House and 

 referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. These 

 bills were again brought up in the second session of the same Congress, 

 in the House on January 9, 1891 (where it was committed to the Com- 

 mittee of the Whole), and in the Senate on February 9, 1891, as an 

 amendment to the sundry civil bill for 1892. The House bill, differ- 

 ing somewhat in wording from the Senate bill, was as follows: 



That for an additional fireproof building for the use of the National Museum, 300 

 feet square, with two stories and a basement, to be erected by the Supervising Archi- 

 tect of the Treasury, under the direction of the Regents of the Smitiisonian Institu- 

 tion, in general accordance with plans now on file with the Counnittee on Public 

 Buildings and Grounds, on the southwestern portion of the grounds of the Smithso- 

 nian Institution, there shall be appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury not 

 otherwise appropriated, the sum of $500,000; said l)uilding to ])e i)laced west of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, with its north front on a line with the north front of the 

 present Museum building, and constructed as far as practicable, after proper adver- 

 tisement, by contract or contracts awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, and all 

 expenditures for the purposes herein mentioned shall be audited by the proper 

 oflacers of the Treasur\' Department. 



Letters in support of the measure were transmitted to Congress b}' 

 Secretar}^ Langley, and some arguments were presented on the floor. 



NAT MUS 1903 18 



