^68 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



M. Pearce, I will ask the Senator to specify what scien- 

 tific books the institution has ever asked us to ejive them ? 



Mr. Cameron. When I think the gentleman has a right 

 to ask a question, I will answer it. I will say to the gentle- 

 man now that I want this institution to sustain itself. There 

 is no reason why we should appropriate money from year to 

 year to keep up that, a bit more than that you should build 

 up a scientific institution in the village where I live. What 

 right has that institution to come here, and what right have 

 we to expend money to keep up an institution for the benefit 

 only of those who live by it? The Government has no interest 

 in it. The gentlemen who get their salaries, and who live on 

 the money which old Smithson gave us, have an interest in 

 it ; but we have none. I shall vote against it, if nobody 

 else does. 



Mr. Douglas. I think it is unfair for my friend from 

 Maryland to be putting questions to my friend from Penn- 

 sylvania, for he is evidently joking in what he says. He is 

 not serious when he talks about the request of the institu- 

 tion made to Congress for this appropriation and that appro- 

 priation. It is contrary to the known history of the institu- 

 tion, and to the known history of the country. It is a very 

 good joke on the part of the Senator from Pennsylvania; 

 but I really think the Senate are not going to vote down 

 this amendment on the strength of that joke. 



Mr. Cameron. I will merely say, if the gentlemen of that 

 institution do not want to have the charge of these things, 

 let them give them up. What do we care about stuffed 

 Bnakes, alligators, and all such things. [Laughter.] 



The Presiding Officer. The question is on the amend- 

 ment offered by the Senator from iSTorth Carolina to the 

 amendment of the committee. 



The amendment to the amendment was agreed to. 



The Presiding Officer. The question now recurs on the 

 amendment as amended. 



Mr. King. What is the amendment as amended ? 



The Presiding Officer. The Secretary will read it. 



The Secretary read it, as follows : 



For the distribution of the collections of the exploring and survey expe- 

 ditions of the Government, and the construction of additional cases to re- 

 ceive such part of said collections as may be retained by the Governmeut, 

 $6,000 ; such distribution to be made to institutions willing to receive the 

 same at their own expense. 



Mr. Fessenden. That refers merely to the transpor- 

 tation. 



