836 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



the Government at the Centennial in 1876, to be immediately availa- 

 ble, $75,000. 



For steam-heating apparatus and fuel for new National Museum 

 building, to be immediately available, $20,000. 



For water and gas fixtures and electrical apparatus for new National 

 Museum building, to be immediately available, 110,000. 



For the preservation and care of the collections of the surveying and 

 exploring expeditions of the Government, and the objects presented 

 to the United States at the Centennial Exhibition, 1876, $50,000. 



Preservation of collections, Armory building: For watching, care, 

 and storage of articles belonging to the United States, including those 

 from the Centennial, and transfer to the new National Museum, $2,500. 



Smithsonian Institution, 



September 23, 1879. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the estimates for the National Museum 

 in charge of the Smithsonian Institution for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, 

 with the following explanations: 



The appropriations made by Congress for the " Preservation and care of the col- 

 lections and the distribution of dupHcates " for 1878-79 were $23,000, and for 1879-80, 

 $28,000. 



These sums were required for the proper care and exhibition of the collections 

 then and now in the Smithsonian Institution. During the coming year, however, 

 arrangements must be made for unpacking, cleaning, assorting, putting in order, and 

 exhibiting the extensive and additional collections received at the Centennial in 1876, 

 and now stored in boxes in the Armory and elsewhere. 



Congress having made provision for a new and large building, covering nearly 2J 

 acres, for the suitable exhibition of the mineral wealth, the animal and vegetable 

 resources, the fisheries, and the ethnology of the United States, as well as for the 

 valuable donations made at the Centennial by foreign Governments, the Eegents of 

 the Smithsonian Institution have carried out the law, proceeded with the erection of 

 the National Museum, and will soon have it ready for occupancy. 



No appropriation having been made for furniture, cases, fixtures, heating, light- 

 ing, water, signal, and other arrangements required for the new building, the accom- 

 panying schedule includes the estimates of what is considered necessary for these 

 purposes. 



I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, 



Spencer F. Baird, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 

 Hon. C. ScHURZ, 



Secretary of the Interior. 



October U, 1879. 



Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular of the 11th 

 instant instructing me to report to the Department estimates of the amounts which 

 will be required for postage and for printing and binding for the National Museum 

 during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1881. 



For postage: Stamps are desired of different values, to the amount of $1,000, as 

 in previous years. 



For printing and binding: For printing labels, circulars, and blanks for the service 



