832 CONGEESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



We have adopted every suggestion he has made, and he is entirely 

 content, so far as we know, with the building as it is. 



Mr. Blaine. 1 do not say that I know anything, but I should be 

 very glad to have the question referred to Prof. Spencer Baird as to 

 what he thinks is the proper thing to be done. 



Mr. Beck. 1 have stated what he said before the committee. 



Mr. Blaine. Upon further reflection, and realizing myself that the 

 amendment is not in order — I hoped that I might get the consent of 

 the gentlemen who are in charge of the bill — I will withdraw it, and 

 I give notice to the Senate that on the general deficiency bill I will 

 ask the judgment of the Senate upon this amendment. 



The Presiding Officer. If there is no objection the amendment 

 will be withdrawn. 

 December 10, 1880 — House. 



The Speaker (Mr. Samuel J. Randall) laid before the House a 

 letter from the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, dated Decem- 

 ber 9, 1880. 



I have the honor to inform you that the new National Musenm building, for the 

 erection of which Congress appropriated |250,000, has been substantially and satis- 

 factorily completed with the exception of the floors of the main halls. These origi- 

 nal estimates provided for floors of concrete and cement. So many remonstrances, 

 however, have been made against the use of this material, instead of marble or tile 

 for the flooring, as not being in accordance with the architectural beauty and design 

 of the building, that at a called meeting of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, on the 8th instant, the subject was considered and the following resolu- 

 tion adopted: 



Resolved, That for the purpose of substituting a marble or tile flooring instead of 

 concrete as originally designed, for the large halls in the National Museum, an 

 appropriation of $25,000 be requested of Congress, to be expended according to the 

 plans and under the direction of the building commission of the Board of Regents of 

 the Smithsonian Institution, under whose supervision the Museum has been 

 constructed. 



Referred to Committee on Appropriations. 

 January 31, 1881 — House. 



Mr. Joseph C. S. Blackburn. With the consent of the gentleman 

 from Indiana [Mr. Cobb] I will report from the Committee on Appro- 

 priations a bill which should be passed now. 



Mr. T. R. Cobb. I will yield for that purpose. 



Mr. Blackburn, from the Committee on Appropriations, reported 

 a bill (H. 7098) making an appropriation for the flooring of the 

 National Museum; which was read a first and second time, referred to 

 the Committee of the Whole, and ordered to be printed. 



Mr. Amos Townsend. I ask the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. 

 Blackburn] to yield to me for a moment. 



Mr. Blackburn. I am a trespasser upon the floor myself, with the 

 courtesy of the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Cobb]. I move that the 



