-FIFTIETH CONGRESS, 1887-1889. 1169 
journals and the leading journals of this nation have urged upon us to 
pass this bill establishing a zoological garden. 
The sentiment of the country is back of this proposition. It is not 
designed for the benefit of the citizens of Washington, though I am 
perfectly willing that they, as a respected part of our people and 
entitled to every advantage of other citizens, shall have all the advan- 
tage which they can derive from it. This garden is demanded as an 
educator, as a preserver of elements of education and interest that are 
passing away like the morning mist, and will soon pass away entirely 
unless preserved by intelligent leeidlative action. 
Mr. Speaker, I have said all that I desire to urge upon the House 
in connection with this subject and I now yield back my remaining 
time to the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Nelson]. 
Mr. Neuson. I yield that time to the gentleman from New York 
[Mr. Baker]. 
Mr. Cuarues S. Baker, of New York. Mr. Speaker, it seems to me 
that the argument in favor of this proposition is very tersely stated 
by a Democratic newspaper, the Boston Globe, of Saturday last, and 
I propose to read as part of my remarks its article on the subject. It 
is as follows: 
ce 7 
TIME FOR A NATIONAL ZOO. 
Senator Beck’s bill to establish a national zoological garden at Washington is still 
pending. It ought to pass at the present session of Congress. 
This is the only great nation in the world that does not possess such.an institution. 
And of all the nations this is the one that needs it most. In no other country are 
the native wild animals becoming so rapidly extinct. Only a few years ago the 
great Western plains were black with bison; now that huge animal is a curiosity 
even to the dwellers on the plains. -A thousand other varieties and species are 
being exterminated with equal rapidity. If the children of the coming generations 
are to know anything of the kind of animals that once roamed over the United 
States, except from books, something like what Senator Betk’s bill contemplates 
must be done at once. 
The price of land in Washington, already enormous, is rapidly rising, and for 
that reason, if no other, delay will be costly. At present land can be had for the 
purpose at a reasonable price, but every month adds to its value. 
At a cost that would be trifling compared with the benefits to be derived Con- 
gress might give the country the largest and most interesting collection of live 
animals in the world. The primary object of the proposed ‘‘zoo’’ should be to 
preserve perfect specimens of American animals; but there is no reason why the 
wild denizens of Asiatic jungles and South American forests should not have a 
department to themselves. 
The ‘‘national zoo”’ is a good object on which Democrats and Republicans can 
unite for the credit of their common country. Congress ought to give it to us, and 
any person in private life can help secure the ‘‘zoo’”’ by writing to request his 
Congressman to vote for Senator Beck’s bill. 
Now, Mr. Speaker, this is one of the few wise Democratic proposi- 
tions that have been brought before this Congress. My worthy 
friend from Alabama [Mr. Herbert] suggests, and I think very 
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