FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS, 1875-1877. 737 



Mr, J. S. MoKRiLL. Let the bill be read at length. It will take but 

 a moment. 



The President pro tempore (Mr. Thomas W. Ferry). The bill will 

 be read the second time at length. 



Be it enacted, etc., That for a fireproof building for use of the National Museum, 

 300 feet square, to be erected under the direction and supervision of the Regents of 

 the Smithsonian Institution, in accordance with the plan of Maj. Gen. M. C. Meigs, 

 now on file with the Joint Committee of Public Buildings and Grounds, on the south- 

 west corner of the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution, the sum of $250,000 is 

 hereby ai)propriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. 

 Said building to be placed west of the Smithsonian Institution, leaving a roadway 

 between it and the latter of not less than 30 feet, with its north front on a line 

 parallel with the north face of the buildings of the Agricultural Department and of 

 the Smithsonian Institution; and all expenditures for the purposes herein mentioned, 

 not including anything for architectural plans, shall be audited by the proper officers 

 of the Treasury Department. 



The President pro tempore. The bill will be placed on the Calendar. 

 February 22, 1877— Senate. 



Mr. J. S. Morrill. I ask the Senate to take up a bill that will not 

 take more than three or four minutes in relation to the National 

 Museum. It is rather important that this bill should be acted upon 

 that it may go to the House. The bill is one which has been reported 

 by the action of the joint committee of the two Houses, that is to say, 

 of the committee of the Senate and the subcommittee of the House, 

 and meets their unanimous approval. I move that the Senate proceed 

 to the consideration of the bill (S. 1252) for the erection of a fireproof 

 building for the National Museum. 



Agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, considered 

 bill. 



Mr. Morrill. I shall not occupy any time in an explanation of this 

 bill, for I presume every Senator recognizes the prime necessity there 

 is for it. The bill is so carefully guarded that there will be no danger 

 of an}' further demand upon the Treasury, and I think it will meet the 

 approbation of all who examine it. 



The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, engrossed, 

 and passed. 

 March 2, 1877— Senate. 



The sundry civil bill being considered an amendment was offered: 



For a fireproof building for the use of the National Museum, 300 feet square, to be 

 erected under the direction and supervision of the Regents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, in accordance with the plan of Maj. Gen. M. C. Meigs, now on file 

 with the Joint Committee of Public Buildings and Grounds, on the southwest corner 

 of the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution, the sum of $250,000 is hereby 

 appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated; said 

 building to be placed west of the Smithsonian Institution, leaving a roadway between 

 it and the latter of not less than 30 feet, with its north front on a line parallel with 



H. Doc. 732 47 



