874 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



1. The preparation of the new exhibit in all its details, and of the most perfect 

 character. 



2. The preparation of the specimens, and mounting them on suitable boards or 

 tablets. 



:>. The construction of cases in which they may be exhibited on reaching London. 



4. The construction of packing boxes necessary for holding the exhibits. 



5. The freight charges to London and back on not less than 20,000 cubic feet of 

 packages. 



6. The salaries, traveling expenses, and subsistence in London of the party neces- 

 sary to take charge of the display. 



The following schedule of expenditures is given as an approximate estimate: 



The collection of the materials for exhibit $8, 000 



The general preparation for exhibition 5, 000 



The construction of .cases for exhibition 8, 000 



The construction of packing boxes for an estimated bulk of 20,000 cubic feet. . 3, 000 



The freights on 20,000 cubic feet from Washington to London and back 20,000 



Expenses of party in charge of display 6, 000 



There is no sum of $30,000 nor $20,000 in this bill for junketing 

 expenses 



A total of $50,000, allowing nothing for incidentals, nothing for unexpected expenses, 

 and nothing for acquiring articles of economical value to the United States by the 

 National Museum. 



The sum mentioned is the very lowest with which the work can be done to any 

 advantage. It will indeed require a great deal of economy to bring a suitable out- 

 lay within the figures mentioned. 



Sir, there is something due to the courtesy of nations. Great 

 Britain has politely invited us, though she is aware with what she has 

 to compete. The amount appropriated is reasonable; the object in 

 view is prudent and practicable. I sincerely hope the House will pass 

 the resolutions, as it will be too late if not done at this session of 

 Congress. 



Mr. Speaker, how much time have I remaining? 



The SPEAKER. Four minutes. 



Mr. WILLIAMS, of Wisconsin. I yield- for a moment to the gentle- 

 man from New York [Mr. Cox]. 



Mr. S. S. Cox, of New York. Mr. Speaker, prior to the Centennial 

 exhibition in 1876 comparatively little was known in regard to the 

 greatness of our fish resources, while the important factor fish played 

 in our domestic economy was but little appreciated. At that time a 

 hurried collection of specimens was jointly made by the Smithsonian 

 Institution and the Fish Commission, which in diversity and size sur- 

 prised all those who saw it at Philadelphia. The development in this 

 line has observably increased since that time, until 1880, when on a 

 three-weeks' notice a collection was gotten together by the untiring 

 Commissioner, Professor Baird, and shipped to Berlin, under the 

 supervision of Prof. G. Brown Goode. 



This exhibit again proved a surprise, this time not only to Ameri- 

 cans, but also to the exhibitors of Europe, who saw us bear off the 



