FIFTIETH CONGRESS, 1887-1889. 1161 
Mr. Forney. I will ask the gentleman whether he understands what 
is the cost of maintaining the parks in New York and other large cities ? 
I understand that in New York the expense is $50,000; and of course 
we shall have to go ahead of New York. 
Mr. Foran. Fifty thousand dollars! I do not care whether the zoo- 
logical garden in New York costs $50,000 or $500,000 or $5,000,000. 
Mr. Forney. That is the right way to meet the question. 
Mr. Foran. ‘That park, the Central Park in the city of New York, is 
the institution which above all others attracts the attention and admi- 
ration of visitors. It is the one bright spot, the great oasis in the des- 
ert of misery and selfishness known as New York. And so, too, when 
a person visits Philadelphia the first place he is likely to go to is the 
zoological garden. The same is true in respect to Cincinnati. 
Mr. Speaker, I think I know something as well as other gentlemen 
about public opinion in respect to expenditures of the public money, 
and I wish to say right here that when we go upon the political plat- 
form this fall to discuss political questions before the people we shall 
not be asked about the expenditures of the public money as much as 
we shall be interrogated in regard to other questions. I have made 
many a canvass, and I know that the people of the United States are 
not so much concerned about the amount of public expenditures, if 
they are properly expended, as they are about other great and leading 
issues. Of course, when public moneys are improperly expended, 
when there is peculation and fraud, the people have a right to com- 
plain, but the expenditure of the public money for scientific and other 
useful purposes has never been complained of by the people. Espe- 
cially is this true when money is appropriated and expended for the 
benefit, the education, and the edification of the people. Money 
expended for public parks and botanical and zoological gardens, where 
the poor, who can not afford these luxuries as the wealthy can, may 
breathe fresh air, enhance their health, and improve their minds, is 
never condemned, but is always commended and appreciated by those 
who pay taxes, for these parks are the recreation grounds of the poor. 
Why, sir, the people of the Old World have for years and centuries 
encouraged art and science. Hence you find there a Humboldt, an 
Agassiz, a Muncaczy, and a Meissonier. But you do not find such 
men in this country, and you will not until our public men rise to the 
height they should and encourage art and science in this country. 
The hard, sharp struggle for existence keeps many of the brightest 
minds in the Republic chained to the bench or the desk. With proper 
encouragement our artists, scientists, and naturalists would become 
shining stars in the great galaxy of human science and genius. 
I am strongly in favor, Mr. Speaker, of a zoological garden in this 
city or some other place under the control of the United States. The 
sciences of biology and biogenesis are attracting wide attention at this 
