614 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



those who received them. But if we once begin with this appropriation 

 I am afraid we shall go on distributing these collections just as we do 

 the seeds at the Patent Office. 



Mr. J. A. Pearce. A large part of this appropriation is intended 

 for the construction of cases to receive such portions of the collections 

 as ma}^ be retained by the Government. The expense of their distribu- 

 tion will be very small, indeed. We do not mean to pay the expenses 

 of their distribution. They will be paid by the institutions to whom 

 they go. 



Mr. W. P. Fessenden. Of course this is only an amendment to the 

 preceding one. Was the other amendment struck out? 



Mr. Pearce. Yes, sir; I think so. 



Mr. Fessenden. I will inquire whether the amendment proposed in 

 the two hundred and twentieth line, to strike out the words "and 

 distribution" after the word "preservation" has been acted on? 



The Presiding Officer. The Chair is informed by the Secretary 

 that that amendment has not been acted on, and will now put the 

 question on the amendment to strike out, in line 220, after the word 

 "preservation," the words "and distribution;" so that the clause will 

 read: 



For preservation of the collections of the exploring and surveying expeditions of 

 the Government, $4,000. 



Mr. J. W. Grimes. I apprehend there is not a college or museum in 

 the land but would be willing and anxious to have the opportunity to 

 come here to the Smithsonian Institution and take its proportion of 

 these fossils or specimens 



The Presiding Officer. Will the Senator from Iowa allow the 

 Chair to state that the amendment which has just been read precedes 

 the one under consideration, and the Senate should pass on that tirst; 

 and then the subject of remark to which the Senator from Iowa is 

 directing his attention would be appropriate. 



Mr. Hunter. The proposition is to strike out one, and insert; so 

 that now is the time to speak upon it. 



Mr. Fessenden. Not at all. 



The Presiding Officer. No, sir; this precedes the other. The 

 question is on the adoption of the amendment last read. 



Mr. Hunter. Is that an amendment on which we can come at this 

 question ? 



The Presiding Officer. No, sir; it is the amendment that pre- 

 cedes it. 



Mr. Grimes. It is the amendment in line 220, I understand. 



The Presiding Officer. The Secretary will report the amendment. 



The Secretary again read it. On page 10, line 220, to strike out the 

 words "and distribution;" so that the clause will read: 



Exploring e.rpedition. — For preservation of the collections of the exploring and sur- 

 veying expeditions of the Government, $4,000. 



