1254 ‘CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
The only reference to the accounts of the National Museum is in the 
report of the executive committee of the Board of Regents, pp. xvii- 
XViil. 
I send herewith a copy of the report. 
It was not the practice of the late Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution, nor of his predecessor, Professor Henry, to discuss in their 
reports to the Board of Regents the details of the manner of expendi- 
ture of the Museum appropriations. The accounts, however, were 
always submitted to the executive committee at its quarterly sessions. 
I take it for granted that you wish to know more of the expendi- 
ture than is given in the Smithsonian report. 
I have therefore prepared a series of tables, which are sent here- 
with inclosed, concerning which I should like to offer certain expla- 
nations. . 
The tables are the following: 
A.—A general statement of the disposition of the ‘‘ preservation of collections”’ 
appropriation for the last fiscal year, 1886-87. : 
B.—A more detailed statement of the disbursements from the same appropriation 
for the first nine months of the present year, 1887-88. 
C.—An analysis of the expenditures of the appropriation for ‘‘ furniture and fix- 
tures’’ for the present year, 1887-88. 
D.—An analysis of the expenditures from the appropriation for ‘‘ heating, light- 
ing, and electrical service.”’ 
E.—An approximate statement of the composition of the pay roll of the ‘‘ preser- 
vation of collections’’ appropriation (based on the roll for December, 1887). 
These statements have been prepared in haste, and since the receipt 
of your message. 
If you desire information more in detail, I am prepared to respond, 
in person or by letter, at any moment, Professor Langley, who is some- 
what indisposed, having requested me to speak for him in regard to 
these matters. 
Yours, very respectfully, 
G. Brown Goong, 
Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 
in charge of the National Museum. 
Hon. Samuet J. RANDALL, 
Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. 
Statement A.—Exzpenditures of the appropriation for the preservation of collections, 
1886-87. . 
otalappropriahlOw ss). <= Le scene e ae Sele ae ee ee eee $106, 500. 00 
Salary etd services jo 2: ...-.-- cles beee no -eee ee ame $90, 905. 58 
BRMONEEY 6. Sood acne: i Loe Ree oe re 1, 141. 74 
Generalisupplies) etcins* 2222225532 ee 3, 602. 07 
Preip hits Sse ooo bs Ue eee 1, 434. 19 
Specimens, traveling expenses, and books ..---...--------- 9, 309. 41 
: 106, 392. 99 
Balinese rac. xc escarole ee ee apres: 8 Seni Nagi hs. 107. 01 
