FIFTIETH CONGRESS, 1887-1889. 1195 
which the friends and advocates of this proposed park are forcing this 
question. 
The gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Hemphill] talks in a way 
that indicates that he has given much thought and study to the sub- 
ject. But I take it, sir, that the great majority of the members of the 
House feel as I do—that they would like more light upon the subject. 
I am opposed to this amendment for other reasons, but my time is too 
limited, I fear, to permit me to present them now. 
The Speaker. The time of the gentleman has expired. 
Mr. CLEMENTS was recognized, and yielded four minutes to Mr. 
MeMillin. 
Mr. McMnur. Mr. Speaker, I rise for the purpose of entering my 
protest against the proposition that is involved in the amendment now 
under discussion. The people of the United States have given to the 
city of Washington a greater area of parks and more park adornment 
than is possessed by any other city in the country in proportion to pop- 
ulation. This statement will not be denied by any one of the Repre- 
sentatives of sixty millions of people sitting around me. 
We have here Judiciary Square, Lafayette Square, Franklin Square, 
and Lincoln Park. Then we have the immense park and grounds 
extending from the Capitol to the Potomac, nearly 2 miles, to which we 
are adding hundreds of acres by the lands we are reclaiming from the © 
Potomac River at a cost of millions of dollars. The Capitol grounds 
and White House grounds also contribute their beauty. All this has 
been given by the United States to this city. But, not content with 
this, we are asked to go still further and sell the homes of the people 
in order to make them the habitations of monkeys. 
The gentleman from Iowa complains that some of the citizens living 
on the land which it is contemplated to purchase for this purpose are 
holding it back and attempting to *‘ blackmail” the Government by 
fixing a high price upon it. Itseems to be a crime in the eyes of some 
that the spot associated with school-boy days should have any pleasant 
memories to cause the grown-up man to linger there and_ be reluctant 
to turn it over as a residence for the bison and den for the snake. 
This is not designed simply as a park for the people; that is not the 
object. The purpose is to establish zoological grounds to be inhabited 
by rabbits, snakes, and all kinds of animals that will be delightful to 
the eye as objects for the inspection of those who visit here. What- 
ever the debate may claim to the contrary, the amendment itself shows 
that it is designed for a zoological garden. If the people of Washing- 
ton want that kind of a display, let them have it; but Jet them pay for 
it themselves. 
Mr. Jonn T. Hearp. Will the gentlemen yield for a question ? 
Mr. McMiiry. I would like to do so, but I have only four min- 
utes; the gentleman, therefore, will pardon me for declining. 
