1726 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
it were destroyed incalculable loss, not only upon the Government of 
the United States, but upon the scientific world. There are matters 
there now thus insecurely housed that could not be replaced. We all 
know what a credit the Smithsonian Institution is to the country and 
to the science of the country. There is no department of the Govern- 
ment that is better conducted, more conscientiously administered in 
all of its branches, and from which there are so many benefits, direct 
and indirect, diffusing themselves among all the people of the country. 
The Senator from Iowa, the chairman of the committee, of course 
understands this question better than I. He is familiar with it. The 
Senator from Vermont [Mr. Morrill] has the amendment very much 
on his mind, and is exceedingly interested in its passage. He requested 
that I should make this statement for him as well as for myself to the 
Senate. I trust that the Senator from Iowa may see his way clear to 
accept the amendment. 
Mr. Wir11am B. Axiison. The Committee on Appropriations con- 
sidered the amendment very carefully, and recognize the importance 
at an early day of an additional building for the National Museum, 
but in view of what appeared to be an apparent necessity for a large 
increase of the bill as it came to us from the House we thought this 
matter might be postponed for another year. Iam perfectly willing 
to leave it to the judgment of the Senate. I think the amendment is 
in order, and I do not make a point of order upon it. 
The VicE-PRESIDENT. The question is on the amendment submitted 
by the Senator from Delaware [Mr. Gray]. 
The amendment was agreed to. 
April 27, 1896—House. 
Senate amendments disagreed to. Conferees appointed. 
April 28, 1896—Senate. 
Conferees appointed. 
May 21, 1896—Senate. 
Senate amendment for new Museum building receded from. 
January 23, 1897—Senate. 
The bill (S. 698) was announced as next in order. 
Mr. JoHN SHERMAN. As that is a bill providing for the erection of 
a new building, and the Senator having it in charge is not present, I 
ask that it may go over. 
The Prestprve Orricer (Mr. G. C. Perxrys). The bill will go over, 
retaining its place under Rule VIII, if there be no objection. - 
NATIONAL MUSEUM—NICARAGUAN COLLECTION OF POTTERY. 
January 9, 1896—House. 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 
Washington, D. C., November 6, 1895. 
Str: In May of the present year the National Museum received a 
collection of antique pottery from the Government of Nicaragua. It 
