732 CONGEESSIONAL PKOCEEDINGS. 



It is known to the Senate that the Smithsonian Institution was rep- 

 resented at the late Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia. At the 

 close of that exposition a number of the foreign powers there repre- 

 sented and who contributed to that grand national display, at its close 

 generously donated to the Smithsonian Institution most of their articles 

 and products there exhibited. A list of the articles donated and the 

 names of the donors accompany this memorial. Among these gifts 

 will be found an exquisite pair of vases valued at some $17,000. 



The motive which prompted these donations to the Smithsonian 

 Institution was unquestionably one of amity and respect entertained 

 by the foreign powers donating them for the Government of the 

 United States. But unquestionably these donors expected that this 

 Government would through the agency of the Smithsonian Institution 

 keep these articles thus donated on public exhibition, and in this way 

 the respective products of each country would become known to the 

 people of our entire country. 



The articles donated are valuable, rare, varied, and occupy much 

 space. They are all, I believe, now stored in Philadelphia, for the 

 reason that the Smithsonian Institution has no building in which they 

 can be either exhibited or safely preserved. They must remain, there- 

 fore, in boxes, subject to injury and to decay, unless Congress shall 

 take some immediate action toward the erection of a building in all 

 respects suitable for their exhibition and preservation. The capacity 

 of such a building is estimated by competent architects to be four 

 times as large as the Smithsonian building. A plan of such a structure 

 has been already drawn by General Meigs. Its estimated cost will 

 not exceed $200,000. 



The Regents of the Institution by this memorial ask Congress to 

 make at once the necessary appropriation. If it be promptly done, a 

 beautiful and capacious building can be put up and finished by the 

 assembling of Congress in December next. Of course, this memorial 

 should go first to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. 

 The prompt erection of the proposed building is a public necessity 

 which I hope will commend itself to the judgment of that committee, 

 and I trust they will at the earliest moment make a report. I submit 

 that the honor and good faith of our country seems to demand and 

 require prompt and liberal action by Congress. That is all I have now r 

 to suggest. 



Mr. ROSCOE CONKLING. What is the worth of these articles? 



Mr. STEVENSON. It is stated in the memorial that the estimated 

 value is a million dollars. I ask that the memorial be now read. 



To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Stales of America in Congress 



assembled : 



The undersigned, Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, beg leave respectfully to 

 lay before you a question which has suddenly arisen, and which can be solved only 

 by your authority. 



