FOETY-SIXTH CONGRESS, 1879-1881. 865 



fit to direct the attention of the committee to, and 1 think we had bet- 

 ter leave this as it is. I care very little about it. But it does seem to 

 me that the diversion of the fund in this way tends to introduce new 

 objects of inquiry, very many of which may be useless. 



Mr. John D. C. Atkins. I wish to make a single remark that in my 

 judgment the application of this fund can be made already by the 

 Smithsonian Institution in the way the gentleman from Ohio proposes, 

 without the adoption of his amendment. 



Mr. Blount. So the gentleman from Ohio claimed himself, and I 

 have said it would be better to leave it to the discretion of the Insti- 

 tution. 



Mr. Keifer. I admit it can be done; but it may not be done. And 

 the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Atkins] will admit that in his own 

 district there are some very interesting investigations that should be 

 made, or the time will soon come when they can not be made. 



Mr. Atkins. 1 do not want to be understood as opposing it at all. 



The qviestion was taken upon the amendment offered by Mr. Keifer, 

 and on a division there were: ayes, 51; noes, 29. No further count 

 being called for, the amendment was agreed to. 



Mr. James B. Weaver. I give notice that I shall ask for a separate 

 vote on this amendment in the House. 



The Chairman. That is the gentleman's right. 



March 3, 1881. 



Sundry civil act for 1882. 



For the purpose of continuing ethnological researches among the 

 North American Indians, under the direction of the Secretar}^ of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, $25,000; $5,000 of which shall be expended 

 in continuing archaological investigations relating to mound-builders 

 and prehistoric mounds, and be available immediately. 



(Stat. XXI, 443.) 



BESSELS'S SCIENTIFIC REPORT. 

 May 24, 1880— Senate. 



Communication from Spencer F. Baird, Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution (of May 22, 1880) transmitting a communication from Dr. 

 Emil Bessels, chief of the scientific department of the Arctic expe- 

 dition under Capt. C. F. Hall: 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, D. C, May 22, 1880. 

 Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a communication from Dr. Emil Bessels, 

 chief of the scientific department of the Arctic expedition under the late Capt. C. F. 

 Hall, and would earnestly recommend that the appropriation suggested, of $8,000, 

 for completing the preparation of the scientific results of said expedition, be made 

 by Congress. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Spencer F. Baird, Secretary. 

 Hon. A. G. Thdrman, 



Acting President United States Senate. 

 H. Doc. 732 55 



