776 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



December 16, 1878 Senate. 



Mr. HENRY L. DAWES by unanimous consent introduced a bill S. 1519 

 for the erection of a fireproof building for the National Museum. 



That for a fireproof building for the use of the National Museum, 300 feet square, 

 to be erected under the direction and supervision of the Regents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, in accordance with the plans now on file with the Joint Committee of Pub- 

 lic Buildings and Grounds, on the southeast corner of the grounds of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, the sum of $250,000 is hereby appropriated out of any money in the 

 Treasury not otherwise appropriated; said building to be placed east of the Smithson- 

 ian Institution, leaving a roadway between it and the latter of not less than 50 feet, 

 with its north front on a line parallel with the north face of the buildings of the Agri- 

 cultural Department and of the Smithsonian Institution; and all expenditures for 

 the purposes herein mentioned, not including anything for architectural plans, shall 

 be audited by the proper officers of the Treasury Department. 



Referred to Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. 

 January 7, 1879 Senate. 



Mr. J. S. MORRILL introduced a bill (S. 1574) for the erection of a 

 fireproof building for the National Museum, the same as that intro- 

 duced December 16, 1878, in the Senate by Mr. H. L. Dawes, with the 

 following change: 



With its north front on a line with the south face of the buildings of the Agricul- 

 tural Department and of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Referred to Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. 

 January 9, 1879 Senate. 



Reported favorably by Committee. 

 January 13, 1879 Senate. 



Mr. JUSTIN S. MORRILL. I move that the Senate proceed to the con- 

 sideration of the bill (S. 1574) for the erection of a fireproof building 

 for the National Museum. It will not take five minutes when the bill 

 is explained. 



Agreed to. 



Mr. MORRILL. Mr. President, it will be remembered that a bill 

 similar to this passed the Senate unanimously two years ago. It was 

 not reached in season in the House to be acted upon regularly and 

 could only be considered by that body under a suspension of the rules. 

 The motion to suspend the rules for that purpose received a very 

 large majority there, but not quite a two-thirds vote. The bill has 

 been recommended by the committees of both Houses, I believe, 

 unanimously. 



It will also be remembered that we made an appropriation for the 

 centennial celebration of a million and a half dollars, and that sum was 

 repaid to the United States, but the contributions made by the United 

 States cost the Government about $150,000. In addition to these 

 contributions we have, of 34 States and nationalities out of 41, their 

 entire contributions made at the centennial celebration. These con- 



