FOETY-SIXTH COT^'GEESS, 1879-1881. 833 



House now resolve itself into Committee of the Whole on the state of 

 the Union to consider the bill just reported b}' me from the Com- 

 mittee on Appropriations. 



Agreed to, and the House accordingly resolved itself into Committee 

 of the Whole, Mr. Simonton in the chair. 



The Chairman. The House is now in Committee of the Whole for 

 the purpose of considering the bill (H. 7098) making an appropriation 

 for the flooring of the National Museum. The bill will now be read. 



The bill was read. It appropriated the sum of $26,000, or so much 

 thereof as might be necessary, to place a flooring of marble or 

 encaustic tiles in the large halls of the National Musevim building, to 

 be expended according to the plan and under the direction of the 

 building commission of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, under whose supervision the Museum had been constructed. 



Mr. Blackburn. I will state that this National Museum building is 

 now about completed, and it is simpl}^ a question whether the matter 

 of flooring shall be according to the original plan, of asphalt or con- 

 crete, or whether a change should be made in the plan so far as to 

 substitute a marble or tile flooring. The concrete pavement would 

 cost about 19,000. The cost of the encaustic tile or marble pavement 

 will be not to exceed $25,000. I hold in my hand a letter from Pro- 

 fessor Baird, which is indorsed unanimously by the Board of Regents, 

 recommending that an appropriation of $26,000 be made for the pur- 

 pose of flooring the main halls of the National Museum building with 

 marble or tiling. It is indorsed, I believe, by every member on the 

 Committee on Appropriations. Unless some member desires it, I will 

 not ask to have the letter read. 



Mr. J. R. Hawley. Let it be printed in the Record as a part of your 

 remarks. 



Mr. Blackburn. I will make that request. 



There was no objection, and it was so ordered. 



Mr. Blackburn. If no one desires to move an amendment to the 

 bill, I will move that the committee now rise and report it favorably 

 to the House. 



The motion was agreed to. Reported and passed. 

 February 4, 1881 — Senate. 



Mr. Justin S. Morrill. I am directed by the Committee on Pub- 

 lic Buildings and Grounds, to whom was referred the bill (H. 7098) 

 making an appropriation for the flooring of the National Museum, to 

 report it without amendment. The bill has already passed the House, 

 and I desire that it may be read, and I ask for its immediate con- 

 sideration. 



Mr. Henry G. Davis, of West Virginia. Let the bill be read for 

 information. 



The Chief Clerk read the bill. 

 H. Doc. 732 53 



