FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS, 1895-1897. 1721 
- Paris, and Berlin, since our building was put up, buildings costing 
from four to ten times as much have been constructed. 
The British Museum every year expends as much for the purchase 
of collections as has been expended from the Treasury of the United 
States for its Museum in fifty years. Since 1893 the sum of $1,486,537 
in cash has been given to the Field Columbian Museum in Chicago, 
“mostly by residents of that city. 
April 14, 1896—Senate. 
Mr. J. S. Morritu. I desire to state that on Thursday, after the 
routine morring business, I shall ask the Senate to hear me for ten 
or fifteen minutes upon the bill [S. 698] to provide for the erection of 
an additional fireproof building for the National Museum, which has 
been reported from the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds 
with an amendment, when I hope to satisfy the Senate that an addi- 
tional building for the National Museum is an absolute necessity. 
Mr. Morritt proposed an amendment to sundry civil bill for 1897 
_(H. 7664): 
For an additional fireproof building for the use of the National Museum, 300 feet 
square, with two stories and a basement, to be erected under the direction of Bernard 
R. Green, with the approval of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, in har- 
mony with the present National Museum building, on the southwestern portion of 
the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution, there shall be appropriated, out of any 
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $250,000; said build- 
ing to be placed west of the Smithsonian Institution, leaving a roadway between it 
and the latter of not less than 50 feet, with its north front on a line with the south 
face of the Agricultural Department and of the Smithsonian Institution, and con- 
structed as far as practicable, after proper advertisement, by contract or contracts 
approved by the Secretary of the Treasury and awarded to the lowest responsible 
bidder; and all expenditures for the purpose herein mentioned shall be audited by 
the proper officers of the Treasury Department. 
Referred to Committee on Appropriations. 
April 16, 1896—Senate. 
Mr. J. S. Morr. Mr. President, I desire to occupy the time of 
the Senate long enough to place on record some facts in relation to 
the necessity for a new building for the National Museum. 
The PrEstDENT pro tempore (Mr. 8. M. Cuntom). The Senator 
from Vermont, in pursuance of previous notice, calls up from the table 
a bill, which will be read by title. 
The Secretary. A bill (S. 698) to provide for the erection of an 
additional fireproof building for the National Museum, reported from 
the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds with an amendment. 
Mr. Morrimu. Mr. President, when the Smithsonian Institution, 
designed for ‘‘the intrease and diffusion of knowledge among men,” 
was put into practical operation, it was discovered that a National 
Museum would be a large contributor to the great purpose of the 
founder, and that the nation was destitute of such an institution. The 
