788 CONGRESSIOTSTAL PROCEEDINGS. 



It does not propose to expend one dollar; it simply provides the ways 

 and means for protectino- pviblic buildings and other property of the 

 United States from lire. Within the past six months the Patent 

 Office in this city was greatly injured hy lire 



(Cries of "Objectn 



The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. W. M. Springer). Gentlemen will 

 resume their seats. 



Mr. John R. Eden. I want to stay on my feet to prevent legislation 

 going through. in this wa^'. 



The Speaker pro tempore. The gentlemen from Louisiana asks 

 that the hill 



Sevel-al members objected. 



Later the objection was withdrawn and the bill passed. 

 December 2, 1878 — House. 



Estimate presented by Department of the Interior: For providing 

 additional security against fire m the Smithsonian building for the 

 Government collections, in accordance with report of the commissions 

 appointed to examine the public buildings, December 10, 1877, $3,000. 

 December 13, 1878. 



Act to aid in the protection of public buildings, etc. 



Be it enacted, etc., That a commission, composed of the Commissioner of Patents, 

 the Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department, and the Secretary of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, is hereby constituted and authorized to examine such auto- 

 matic signal telegraph systems as may be submitted to them by the owners and agents 

 thereof, and to ascertain which of the same is best adapted for the purpose of the 

 earliest and most certain transmission by signal of the occurrence of fire, and also 

 the adaptability, usefulness, and need of the same for the further protection of the 

 buildings and property of the Government in the several Departments in Washington, 

 and to report the results of their examination to the next session of Congress. 



(Stat., XX, 257.) 



March 3, 1879. 



Sundry civil act for 1880. 



For providing additional security against fire in the Smithsonian 

 building for the Government collections, in accoi'dance with report of 

 the commission appointed to examine the public buildings, December 



10, 1877, $3,000. 

 (Stat., XX, 31)7.) 



CARDER OF ST. OLAF FOR PROF. S. F. BAIRD. 



December 10, 1877 — House. 



Mr. Samuel A. Bridges introduced a bill (H. 1989) to authorize 

 Spencer F. Baird, assistant secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to 

 receive a diploma and medal constituting him a member of the Nor- 

 wegian Order of St. Olaf. 



Referred to Committee on Foreign Affairs. 



