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FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS, 1889-1891. 1463 
I hope that the Congress of the United States, after having grati- 
fied its own fancy in creating a zoological park and in providing the 
ways and means, as is now being done, for stocking it with beasts and 
animals, snakes, grizzly bears, and the like of that, will not conclude 
that because they desire to have a zoo here for their own entertain- 
ment and amusement, to which they may ride out and disport them- 
selves in their carriages; that having had this fancy and having gratified 
it at the expense of the people of the United States it is incumbent 
upon the people of Washington that they should provide one-half the 
sum of money necessary for its support. 
Mr. Reaaan. Mr. President, the Senator from Alabama tells us that 
if the question as to whether we should have a zoological garden in 
this District were submitted to the people of the District they would 
not vote for it but would vote against it. For whom is it to be made, 
then, if the people of Washington here do not wish it? 
Mr. Morean. It is for outside barbarians and not for Washington- 
jans. 
Mr. Reagan. It is a strangely illogical proposition, it seems to me, 
that the distinguished Senator makes, and he is not often illogical. If 
the people here would vote against that proposition, that is sufficient 
to reject it, in my judgment. Here are 250,000 people interested in 
whatever interests other communities, and if they do not want it why 
should we tax the people of other parts of the country to give them 
that which they would not themselves vote for? 
Mr. Morean. How can we find out whether they want it or not? 
Mr. Reaean. Ido not care about saying anything that seems to savor 
of reflection upon anybody, but I remember very well, some fifteen 
years ago, when we were passing what was called the organic act of 
this District, a member could not walk into the corridor, he could not 
get into a street car, he could not go into a hotel, he could not go in 
and out of his room, without being tackled by people everywhere and 
on all occasions urging him to make provision that the people, all the 
rest of the people, should pay one-half of the expenses of this District. 
And more, this should not be done, because the general Treasury pays 
the whole expense of the parks in this city, to which the people here 
do not contribute anything. Is it not enough that the expense of all 
these parks and public grounds should be wholly paid by the people 
out of the general Treasury ? 
Mr. I. G. Harris. I should like to ask the Senator from Texas if he 
thinks the Botanic Gardens were established and are being maintained 
for the benefit of the people of the District of Columbia, or is it a 
national work, and done, and ought to be done, by the Government? 
Mr. Reaean. Mr. President, I do not profess to be specially senti- 
mental and poetical; I profess to be somewhat practical and to meet 
questions practically and inquire what they are and what should be 
