952 CONGBESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS 



The President pro tempore. The question is on the motion of the 

 Senator from Kansas to refer the amendment to the Committee on 

 Rules. 



Mr. Ingalls. I withdraw the motion. 



The President pro tempore. The motion to refer is withdrawn. 

 The question is on agreeing to the amendment of the Senator from 

 Vermont [Mr. Morrill]. 



The resolution as amended was agreed to. 



ACTING secretary OF SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



April 23, 1884— Senate. 



Mr. George F. Hoar introduced a bill (S. 2093) relative to the 

 appointment of an acting Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Referred to Committee on the Library. 

 April 25, 1884— Senate. 



Mr. John Sherman, from the Joint Committee on the Library, to 

 whom was referred S. 2093, reported it without amendment, "and as 

 this is a matter of formal administration I ask that it be acted upon 

 now." 



Mr. F. M. Cockrell. I should like to hear some reasons for the 

 passage of the bill. 



Mr. Sherman. This is the ordinary provision made to provide for 

 the absence of Professor Baird. Professor Baird may sometimes be 

 absent, and this provision is substantially similar to what is provided 

 for other offices and Departments of the Government to fill the duties 

 of the office during his absence or disability or inability. 



Mr. Cockrell. Not to supplant him in any way ? 



Mr. Sherman. Not at all. I believe it was recommended by the 

 Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 



The President pro tempore (Mr. George F. Edmunds). At the 

 request of the Secretary, the Chair understands. 



Mr. Sherman. At the request of the Secretary. It is to provide 

 for a contingency common in other Departments of the Government. 



Passed. 

 May 9, 1884— House. 



Passed. 

 May 13, 1884. 



Be it enacted., etc, That the Chancellor of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion may, by an instrument in writing filed in the office of the Secretary 

 thereof, designate and appoint a suitable person to act as Secretary of 

 the Institution when there shall be a vacancy in said office, and when- 

 ever the Secretary shall be unable from illness, absence, or other 

 cause to perform the duties of his office; and in such case the person 

 so appointed may peform all the duties imposed on the Secretary by 

 law until the vacancy shall be filled or such inability shall cease. The 



