FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS, 1873-1875. 7l9 



the publication of documents, and whether this is in harmonv with the 

 expression of Cono-ress? 



Mr. Anthony. That has not passed the House. 



Mr. Morrill. It passed the Senate. 



Mr. Anthony. If the Senator asks my judgment, I think this is 

 not in conformity with that. 



Mr. Morrill. I should think that until the Senate reconsiders that 

 proposition we ought to adhere to it. Yesterday some proposition 

 came from the Committee on Printing of a similar kind. 



Mr. Anthony. What one ? 



Mr. Morrill. Recommending the publication of some document. 



Mi-. Anthony. That was for the use of the proper Department, not 

 for the use of Congress. It was only 500 copies of a medical report 

 that was thought to be valuable for scientific purposes, and they are 

 to be distributed entirely by the Department. 



Mr. Morrill, I think we ought not to go into retail in printing 

 when in wholesale we have resolved not to print; and I do think it is 

 wise to adhere to the resolution that we passed, at least until some full 

 understanding as to the publication and distribution of documents is 

 had. 



Mr. Anthony. I do not think we are bound by a proposition that 

 has only passed one House of Congress; but 1 am not a lawyer, and I 

 will leave that to the Senator from Maine. 



Mr. Morrill. I think we should have a little respect for our own 

 action, whether the House chooses to concur or not. 



Mr. H. Hamlin. I wish to state a fact. I may say in behalf of the 

 Smithsonian Institution that I think this is entirely distinct from the 

 documents which we publish sent to us from the Departments or which 

 emanate from our committees. This is purely a scientific work. It 

 is the annual report of the Smithsonian Institution, made in pursuance 

 of law to this body. To myself it may seem of very much less value 

 than to man}^ others, but I think no man can ever examine a single report 

 of that Institution without being impressed with its great value. These 

 reports are for the general reader perhaps of little use, being some- 

 what technical and scientific, but yet they are of immense value to the 

 world, and the}" are transmitted all over the world, and we receive 

 back in exchange the scientific reports of difl'erent societies and difi^er- 

 ent governments. I think this stands entirely distinct from the docu- 

 ments ordinarily printed by Congress; and I do not think the law or 

 resolution to which 1113^ colleague refers ought to apply to this report, 

 if it does technically; and if it does, this has got to pass the ordeal of 

 the House, and it must be by a concurrent vote, which will express 

 their opinion that this stands distinct from other matters, as well as 

 our own. I hope the resolution will be concurred in. 



