THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS, 1859-61. 657 



is not for their advantage at all, except so far as it will re- 

 lieve the building of the incumbrance of such an immense 

 collection ; and yet it can never be done except by author- 

 ity of law. This is the first occasion on which it has been 

 asked. 



Mr. HUNTER. I have no idea that this is to the advantage 

 of the Smithsonian Institution. I believe the object of the 

 amendment is a good one; but why not allow them to give 

 these things to those that may apply ? Why appropriate 

 money for the purpose of distributing them ? Why not 

 allow them to give them to those who may apply, according 

 to their judgment? That would throw the expense upon 

 those who received them. But if we once begin with this 

 appropriation I am afraid we shall go on distributing these 

 collections just as we do the seeds at the Patent Office. 



Mr. PEARCE. A large part of this appropriation is intended 

 for the construction of cases to receive such portions of the 

 collections as may be retained by the Government. The 

 expense of their distribution will be very small indeed. We 

 do not mean to pay the expenses of their distribution. They 

 will be paid by the institutions to whom they go. 



Mr. FESSENDEN. Of course this is only an amendment to 

 the preceding one. Was the other amendment struck out? 



Mr. PEARCE. Yes, sir; I think so. 



Mr. FESSENDEN. I will inquire whether the amendment 

 proposed in the two hundred and twentieth line, to strike 

 out the words "and distribution," after the word "preser- 

 vation" has been acted on. 



The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair is informed by the 

 Secretary that that amendment has not been acted on, and. 

 will now put the question on the amendment to strike out, 

 inline two hundred and twenty, after the word "preserva- 

 tion," the words "and distribution," so that the clause will 

 read : 



For preservation of the collections of the exploring and surveying expe- 

 ditions of the Government, $4,000. 



Mr. GRIMES. I apprehend there is not a college or mus- 

 eum in the land but would be willing and anxious to have 

 the opportunity to come here to the Smithsonian Institution, 

 and take its proportion of these fossils or specimens 



The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the Senator from Iowa 

 allow the Chair to state that the amendment which has just 

 been read precedes the one under consideration, and the 

 Senate should pass on that first; and then the subject of 

 remark to which the Senator from Iowa is directing his 

 attention would be appropriate. 

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