FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS, 1889-1891. 1423 
Mr. Mirken. Will my friend allow another interruption ? 
Mr. Enuoe. Certainly. 
Mr. MituiKen. I wish the gentleman would have the goodness to 
explain to the House, for I am sure we do not all understand the sub- 
ject, the purpose and uses of this astrophysical observatory ? 
Mr. Entor. Well, if the gentleman from Maine would like to have 
an official answer, I will have to refer him to the Book of Estimates, 
which shows, I believe, for what purpose this is intended 
The Cuarrman. The time of the gentleman has expired. 
Mr. Entor. I ask my friend from Alabama to yield to me just three 
minutes more, and then I will conclude. 
Mr. WHEELER, of Alabama. I yield three minutes more to the gen- 
tleman from Tennessee. 
Mr. Entor. I was going to say to the gentleman from Maine that 
I believe the astrophysical observatory is projected for the purpose of 
promoting a branch of science here which will give employment to a 
number of scientific gentlemen, who will have very expensive instru- 
ments furnished them at the expense of the Government; instruments 
of a very sensitive nature, so that they can study the relations of the 
sun and other heavenly bodies to human life, so that in the develop- 
ment of this science the gentleman from Maine may be able to deter- 
mine whether there is some disturbance in the sun which has put the 
Speaker out of order in the morning and caused him to forget rules 
and law, or whether solar disturbances or astral influences have inter- 
rupted the transmission of a telegram or produced an electric storm 
in the House. 
But I can not go into an elaborate exposition of all that this science 
may develop. I could go on and expatiate at some length on the ques- 
tion; but I content myself with stating that I am opposed to an appro- 
priation of $10,000 for the purpose of establishing an astrophysical 
observatory in the park, and I hope the Committee on Appropriations 
will not lend their aid to such a proposition. Everything relating to 
the management of this park ought to be carefully investigated, and 
the work properly directed. 
February 5, 1891—House. 
The Clerk read: 
National Zoological Park: For continuing the construction of roads, walks, bridges, 
water supply, sewerage, and drainage, and for grading, planting, and otherwise 
improving the grounds of the National Zoological Park, including salaries or com- 
pensation of all necessary employees, $15,000. 
Mr. JosErn H. Outuwaire. I move to strike out the last word, for 
the,purpose of inquiring of the chairman of the committee having in 
charge this bill what is meant by this provision as to bridges on page 
35 of the bill. 
Mr. J. G. Cannon. The gentleman knows there are a number of 
