FIFTIETH CONGRESS, 1887-1889. 1157 
its people of the lessons to be taught and the education to be obtained 
from such an establishment as a zoological garden? 
In addition to this there is another consideration which is pressing 
upon us at this moment, and which ought to make us anxious to make 
a beginning in this direction, and it is the fact that many of the unique 
and peculiar zoological specimens which were once common to this 
country are fast passing away and very few of them now remain. 
The time will not be far distant when many species of animals which 
once existed in vast herds on this continent will be entirely extinct. 
Let us begin and preserve a few specimens before all are gone. But 
a dozen years ago I could purchase buffalo robes cheaper at my village 
home in Minnesota than I could purchase calfskins, while now the 
buffalo is almost a thing of the past in America; and what is the case 
with that animal is also the case with a great many other specimens 
which once roamed this country. 
Now is the time to gather up the remains of our animals and con- 
centrate them here, where they can be properly cared for, and become 
a scientific link between our past and present. It is now or never, 
Mr. Speaker, I have looked into this matter further, and I find that 
the proposition is to establish this park on that beautiful little creek 
in the northwest section of the city known as ‘‘ Rock Creek,” and to 
take about 120 acres of land for the purpose of this garden. I am 
satisfied from what I have been able to learn on a personal examina- 
tion of the matter, for I have taken particular pains to look into it, 
that there is no real-estate job or speculation connected with it. On 
the contrary, those people now owning real estate in that immediate 
neighborhood are averse, as I am informed, to the establishment of a 
zoological garden in their midst. 
It is proposed to appropriate about $140,000 to secure the site, and 
about $50,000 for the preliminary plant and a year’s operating expenses. 
Mr. E. Payson. I would like to ask the gentleman where he finds 
that in the bill, or where he finds any limit to the amount of land 
which is to be acquired? There is no limit whatever on it. 
Mr. Netson. The limitation is on the amount of the appropriation. 
Mr. Payson. Yes; but not as to the quantity of land that may be 
acquired. The bill does not limit them and does not specify the lands. 
Mr. Newtson. Certainly not. The bill does not go on and describe 
the lands, because this tract is composed of a multitude of little tracts 
varying from 6 to 20 acres in extent. They have to secure these sey- 
eral tracts in order to get the site. 
Mr. Payson. But my point is this: That this bill provides for an 
unlimited acquisition of lands in that region, and the minimum amount 
is fixed in the amendment, which is to be not less than 100 acres, but 
as much more as these gentlemen choose to incorporate into the tract. 
Now, if it is to be adopted at all, there ought to be some limit. 
