FIFTIETH CONGRESS, 1887-1889. 1225 
Ages—some of it connected with the most eminent historical names— 
including horse armor, helmets, swords, and all the paraphernalia of 
ancient warfare. These objects, numbering some 5,000, had been 
collected at vast expense, and the collection was said to be the most 
valuable collection of the kind in the world. The condition of the 
presentation was that the Smithsonian Institution would furnish a fire- 
proof building for its protection. 
Passed. 
May 22, 1888—House. 
The bill (S. 2972) to provide for making the west end of the Smith- 
sonian building fireproof, and for other purposes, referred to Com- 
mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds. 
June 28, 1888—Senate. 
Mr. J. S. Morrini, from Committee on Public Buildings and 
Grounds, reported an amendment to be proposed to the sundry civil 
bill for 1889 (H. 10540): 
For the purpose of making the roof of the Gothic chapel at the west end of the 
Smithsonian building fireproof, and for other purposes, under the direction of the 
Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, $17,500. 
Referred to Committee on Appropriations. 
February 19, 1889—Senate. 
The sundry civil bill for 1890 being under consideration, an amend- 
ment was proposed, on page 40, after line 8, to insert: 
Repairs, Smithsonian building: To make fireproof the roof of the Gothic chapel at 
the west end of the Smithsonian building and for other portions of the roof of said 
building, $17,500; to be expended under the charge of the Architect of the Capitol, 
according to the direction of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 
Agreed to. 
VAIL TELEGRAPHIC INSTRUMENT. 
May 22, 1888—House. 
Mr. W. W. Pue tps introduced a bill (H. 10110) authorizing the 
purchase of the original telegraphic instrument. 
Referred to Committee on the Library. 
DOCUMENTS. 
June 7, 1888—Senate. 
Mr. Francis M. CockrE tu introduced a bill (S. 3068) providing for 
the distribution of public documents to depositories and other public 
libraries, which provided that one copy of each document printed by 
order of Congress, bound in cloth, should be sent to the Smithsonian 
Institution. 
Referred to Committee on Printing. 
