622 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



do the Avork and not pay them for the labor, and compel them also to 

 pay their own expenses. It is simply providing a mode by which we 

 may carry out our own objects and our own purposes through their 

 agency. The la])or that they have given to this work and the serv- 

 ices they render are altogether gratuitous; and certainly they ought 

 not to be abused for doing what we asked them to do with reference 

 to matters which we have placed under their control, without their 

 requesting us to do it. That is the simple fact about this matter. It 

 has nothing to do with the Institution. 



Now, sir, as to the Smithsonian Institution itself, what it has done 

 for science, and what it is doing for science. I have no doubt that it 

 is doing much; how much, I do not know. I confess the same ignor- 

 ance that has been confessed by m}^ friend from New Hampshire, with 

 the addition that I feel ashamed I do not know more about it. I ought 

 to know more about it. I have only to leave my other avocations, 

 which prevent me from knowing what I want to know. It is my own 

 fault. 



Mr. S. A. Douglas. I desire to add but a word to what has been so 

 well said by the Senator from Maine. This burden was imposed upon 

 the Smithsonian Institution, not only without their request, but against 

 their wish. These objects were collected by the exploring expedi- 

 tions and deposited in the Patent Office. They were kept there and 

 preserved as objects of great curiosity and great interest, until they 

 occupied so large a space that the Government could not afford the 

 room. They needed the room, and had no place to put them in. The 

 Smithsonian Institution happened to have vacant space; but these col- 

 lections were not connected with the objects of that Institution. The 

 Institution was willing to give them the room free of rent. They 

 were willing to take charge of the collection, if the annual expenses 

 of the burden thus imposed were borne by the Government. It was 

 accepted as a great favor by the Government. I do think, if they are 

 worth}' of our encouragement, we ought to pay the actual expenses, 

 no more, of taking charge of these objects of curiosity. Probably 

 there is no object of greater curiosity to the visitor and the stranger 

 who comes to Washington than this museiuii thus collected; and inas- 

 much as they would be an attraction to the Institution, thev were 

 willing to accept them; but the objects themselves belonged to the 

 Government. The Smithsonian Institution is giving the Government 

 a place in which to keep them. I think, therefore, that we are bound 

 by every consideration of public policy and duty to make this appro- 

 priation. I will not occupy time, for I believe it Avill be voted almost 

 unanimously. 



Mr. Camerox. I must say a word in reply to what has been said In' 

 the Senator from Maine and the Senator from Illinois. I do not believe 

 that the}' have studied this subject so well as they usually study ques- 



