1620 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
in existence, what appropriations have been made for it during the 
several years of its existence, and what appropriations were made by 
the last Congress. I have been very much struck with the somewhat 
feeble defense which the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations 
has made of this item of the bill, contenting himself with expressing: 
the hope that the Committee of the Whole would not strike it all out. 
If the Appropriations Committee have acted wisely, economically, and 
properly in the presentation of this reduced appropriation of $35,000, 
we might expect it would find at the hands of the chairman of the com- 
mittee and the body of the committee a proper representation and 
defense before the House. 
Mr. Sayers. For the information of the gentleman from Mississippi 
[Mr. Hooker] I will state that the appropriation for this Bureau (if it 
may be called a bureau) has been $40,000 from and including the fiscal 
year 1885 until the present fiscal year, when it is $50,000. 
Mr. Hortman. Oh, away back of that this work commenced—about 
the year 1879. 
Mr. Sayers. I am speaking of the appropriations. 
Mr. Hotman. I think my friend will find that the appropriations 
have been about $40,000 a year since about 1879. That is my recol- 
lection. 
Mr. Sayers. I speak only of the period since 1885, in regard to 
which I have knowledge. 
Mr. W. S. Hortman. I ought to correct the statement I just made. 
The earlier appropriations were less than those made since; they were 
about $20,000 a year. 
Mr. Sayers. If the gentleman from Indiana will allow me, I will 
state only such facts as I know. What may be in the region of spec- 
ulation, I will leave others to speak of. 
The annual appropriation since the year 1885, including that year, 
and up to the present fiscal year, was $40,000. For the present fiscal 
year, however, the appropriation was increased $10,000, the reason of 
the increase being this: Major Powell said he was getting old, expected 
to retire from the service in a very short time, and that he wanted to 
complete the work before he retired; hence Congress, upon the rec- 
ommendation of the Committee on Appropriations, gave $50,000 for 
the present fiscal year. That is the only reason I know why the appro- 
priation was increased from $40,000 to $50,000. 
Mr. Hooxrer. What is the reason for decreasing it now from 
$40,000 to $35,000? 
Mr. Sayers. Because, in the judgment of the majority of the com- 
mittee, $35,000 is an abundance. 
Mr. Hooxerr. That is the opinion of the committee now? 
Mr. Sayers. Yes, sir; a majority of the committee think that 
$35,000 is amply sufficient. 
