658 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



Mr. HUNTER. The proposition is to strike out one, and 

 insert ; so that now is the time to speak upon it. 



Mr. FESSENDEN. Not at all. 



The PRESIDING OFFICER. No, sir; this precedes the other. 

 The question is on the adoption of the* amendment last read. 



Mr. HUNTER. Is that an amendment on which we can 

 come at this question? 



The PRESIDING OFFICER. No, sir ; it is the amendment 

 that precedes it. 



Mr. GRIMES. It is the amendment in line two hundred 

 and twenty, I understand. 



The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Secretary will report the 

 amendment. 



The Secretary again read it. On page 10, line two hun- 

 dred and twenty, to strike out the words, u and distribu- 

 tion;" so that the clause will read: 



Exploring Expedition. For preservation of the collections of the explor- 

 ing and surveying expeditions of the Government, $4,000. 



MR. PEARCE. These words were improperly put in. That 

 appropriation is the .one which we make annually. These 

 collections were all in the Patent Office, and as the Depart- 

 ment of the Interior wanted the Patent Office for other pur- 

 poses, provision was made by law for transferring these 

 collections to the Smithsonian Institution, the Government 

 paying the expense. The annual expense is about four 

 thousand dollars. By a mistake the word "distribution" 

 was put in the bill as it came from the House of Representa- 

 tives. This money is wanted for the preservation of the 

 collections, and not for their distribution ; and therefore we 

 move to strike out the words " and distribution." 



The motion to strike out was agreed to. 



The Secretary read the next amendment of the Committee 

 on Finance ; which was to strike out line two hundred twen- 

 ty-three to line two hundred and twenty-six, inclusive, in 

 the following words : 



" For the preservation of the collections of the exploring and surveying 

 expeditions of the Government, and the construction of suitable cases to 

 receive said collections, $6,000." 



Mr. GRIMES. Mr. President 



M r. FESSENDEN. Striking out these words will accomplish 

 the Senator's purpose. 



Mr. GRIMES. I do not know that. The bill, as it came 

 from the House of Representatives, furnished an appropria- 

 tion for the preservation of these things. That I am willing 

 shall be done ; but I am unwilling that a distribution shall 



