FOETY-SIXTH CONGRESS, 1879-1881. 831 



Mr. Blaine. He did not suggest it because there was a sort of 

 implied contract that the building was to be put up for just this lim- 

 ited amount. It was stated, possibly a little boastfully, that it could 

 be done for that amount. I do not think the point of order would 

 apply to the amendment. It is an item under a head for which appro- 

 priations are made in the bill, and they may be made more or less. I 

 think it ought to be left to the Senate to decide that. 



The Presiding Officer. The Chair will submit the question of 

 order to the Senate. 



Mr. H. G. Davis, of West Virginia. I hope the Chair will hear me 

 one moment. 



The Presiding Officer. It is the purpose of the Chair to submit 

 the question of order that it may be debated. 



Mr. Davis, of West Virginia. There can not be any question about 

 the amendment being out of order, and I hope the Chair is not in 

 doubt about it. It is out of order, I understand, for three reasons: 

 First, it is not estimated for; second, the Committee on Appropria- 

 tions did not receive the one day's notice which is required of any 

 amendment going upon this bill; and in the third place, as I under- 

 stand, it comes from no standing committee. For each of these 

 three reasons it is out of •order. 



Mr. Blaine. I hoped I might have unanimous consent. 



The Presiding Officer. The question before the Senate is. Is the 

 amendment offered by the Senator from Maine in order? 



Mr. H. B. Anthony. I am in favor of this amendment, but I can 

 not imitate the example so often set by Senators of voting upon 

 parliamentary questions with reference to the merit of the proposition 

 upon which the question of order is raised. I think it is out of order, 

 although I am in favor of the amendment. 



Mr. Blaine. The only reason for m}^ urgency about it is that it is 

 just one of those things that must be done now or it is too late. The}" 

 will go on making this floor, and if we ever attempt afterwards to 

 change it, all that will have to be undone. Indeed, I am sure that 

 next autumn when Congress reassembles they will see how unfit it is 

 to use a mere stable floor, a mere barn yard floor. There is not a 

 modern stable in this city, there is not what would be called a decent 

 and comfortable stable built in this city, that will not have a floor as 

 carefull}" made as the present estimate will give to the National 

 Museum. 



Mr. Beck. I have only to add in explanation that Professor Baird 

 has conducted this building with great care. We have great confi- 

 dence in him. He has never asked us for anything that we have not 

 given him. We have added to the appropriation for the National 

 Museum $5,000 for heating apparatus, $12,500 for water and gas fix- 

 tures, and for the construction of relieving sewer and other things. 



