The appropriations for 1893 were not only less than for the preceding year, but scarcely exceeded those for 1887, although the collections have increased, chiefly through donations, by nearly a million specimens since that time. On account of the reduction in the appropriations for 1893, it is impossible to meet the increased demands of the year, and no attention can be given to many important matters lying over from preceding years For these reasons, and others of equal moment, it is greatly to be hoped that the entire sum of $180,000, which has twice been estimated for, but not received, may now be granted. For the welfare of the Museum it is desirable that an increase should be made in the number of paid assistants on the scientific staff. Much work is performed by volunteers, without compensation, but this system has only a limited usefulness. Even with this assistance it is impossible, in many departments, to keep pace with the growth of the collections, and the constantly increasing demand of educational establishments and the public for information and aid. Many of the salaries are too low to secure efficient service. The compensation of the members of the scientific staff is less than that of teachers in the higher public schools, although the service rendered is of a very special character. The clerical employees are paid less than in the Executive Departments; hence many leave after a short period of service, to the serious detriment of the Museum, which is constantly compelled to train new employees. For the safe-keeping of the collections, which have greatly increased in intrinsic value as well as extent, a larger number of watchmen is necessary. The force is now so small that it is difficult to grant the usual leaves of absence without exposing the collections to danger. It is also with difficulty that the cleanliness of the floors and cases is maintained, on account of the limited number of laborers and cleaners which the present appropriation will permit the Museum to employ.

For cases, furniture, fixtures, and appliances required for the exhibition and safe-keeping of the collections of the National Museum, including salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, $30,000.

NOTE.-Although the Museum halls are already in a crowded condition, it is necessary, without regard to the width of aisles and the established arrangement of exhibits, to find room for the collections which are constantly received by donation. Many valuable objects are still exposed to dust and vandalism from the lack of sufficient money to procure the necessary cases. Collections, such as the great Lacoe collection of fossil plants, received in 1892, are frequently offered, with the condition that suitable cases be provided.

Judging by the experience of the Museum in connection with the Philadelphia, London, New Orleans, and Cincinnati exhibitions, it will be necessary during 1893 to make provision for the large number of collections which will be presented to the Government at the close of the World's Columbian Exposition. For the safe-keeping of these objects numerous storage and exhibition cases will be required, and it is therefore hoped that the sum of $30,000 will be appropriated.

For expense of heating, lighting, electrical, telegraphic, and telephonic service for the National Museum, including salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, $15,000.

NOTE. The larger part of this appropriation is expended for fuel and gas. As has been explained in connection with the estimates for previous years, it is necessary for the safety of the collections that the building should be kept at a nearly even temperature day and night throughout the winter. The reduction of this appropriation in 1893 below the minimum of $12,000 makes a deficiency for that year necessary. From lack of fuel required to maintain the proper temperature, some of the offices had to be abandoned on several occasions during the winter of 1892.

The longer the heating apparatus is used the less effective it becomes, and of late it has been necessary each successive year to expend a larger sum for replacing worn-out parts.

The wires of the burglar alarms, watchmen's call boxes, and other electrical apparatus have deteriorated from long use. Some of these have already been renewed, and others need immediate attention.

For the erection of two galleries, one in the southwest court, the other in the southeast range, National Museum building; said galleries to be constructed of iron beams, supported by iron pillars, and protected by iron railings, and provided with suitable staircases; the work to be done under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol and in accordance with the approval of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, $8,000.

NOTE. The erection of these galleries will add materially to the area available in the present Museum building for exhibition purposes. Such galleries were provided for in the original plans of the building. They can be supported in such a manner as not to detract from the appearance of the halls or to interfere with the present installation of the collections.

December 9, 1892-House.

Deficiency estimates for 1893, etc.

For continuing the preservation, exhibition, and increase of the collections from the surveying and exploring expeditions of the Government, and from other sources, including salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, being a deficiency for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, $14,770.

NOTE. The reduction of the force of taxidermists and other preparators, rendered necessary by the smaller appropriations granted for the current year, has made it impossible to properly care for the numerous collections which have been given to the Government with the understanding that they should be preserved. Unless relief is afforded it is feared that much material, valuable to science and educational institutions, will go to destruction.

Unexpected emergencies have arisen, such as the necessity for replacing the entire outfit of fire hose in the two buildings.

The present force of employees is insufficient to properly carry on the work of the Museum, since reductions detrimental to the service have been made in order to obviate the necessity for a larger deficiency estimate. More watchmen are required in order to insure the safety of the collections, and more laborers and cleaners to keep the exhibition halls in a presentable condition. The regular clerical work of the Museum has fallen in arrears, owing to the fact that it has been necessary for the clerks to devote much of their time to matters connected with the World's Columbian Exposition. It will be necessary, about February 1, to restore to the Museum roll the names of at least nine employees temporarily engaged in work for the Exposition, and now paid from the Exposition appropriation.

For expenses of heating the U. S. National Museum for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, $2,000. $240.

For rent of eight telephones,

NOTE. It will be impossible to heat the buildings properly throughout the winter unless additional fuel is provided. Last year, when the appropriation was $1,000 more than this year, and the greatest care was used to prevent waste, it was found

necessary to close the offices on several occasions, on account of lack of fuel to heat the building. A deficiency of $2,000 is therefore asked for.

It was necessary to reduce the number of telephones in order that money should be available to renew the wires, which, from long use, had become entirely worn out.

January 7, 1893-House.

Supplemental deficiency estimates for 1893 by the U. S. Fish Commission, etc. Office building, U. S. Fish Commission (Armory building): For new roof, construction of annex for boiler room, coal vault, and fireproof storage room; the purchase and introduction of new boilers for heating and the necessary connections, and for miscellaneous repairs and equipment, $2,500; and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution is hereby directed to vacate the rooms under his charge in said building. For fitting up said rooms as offices for the U. S. Fish Commission, $1,400; in all, $3,900.

July 28, 1892.

NATIONAL MUSEUM-APPROPRIATIONS.

Deficiency act for 1892, etc.

To pay amounts found due by the accounting officers of the Treasury on account of preservation of collections, National Museum, being for the services of the fiscal year 1890, as follows: To pay the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, $4.47; to pay the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company, $2.50; in all, $6.97.

(Stat., XXVII, 283.)

For preservation of collections, National Museum, $1.34.

(Stat. XXVII, 309.)

(To cover claim reported in House Ex. Doc. No. 199, Fifty-second Congress, first session.)

August 5, 1892.

Sundry civil act for 1893.

For continuing the preservation, exhibition, and increase of the collection from the surveying and exploring expeditions of the Government, and from other sources, including salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, $132,500.

For cases, furniture, fixtures, and appliances required for the exhibition and safe-keeping of the collections of the National Museum, including salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, $15,000. For expense of heating, lighting, electrical, telegraphic and telephonic service for the National Museum, $11,000.

For postage stamps and foreign postal cards for the National Museum, $500.

(Stat., XXVII, 360.)

For the Smithsonian Institution, for printing labels and blanks and for the Bulletins" and annual volumes of the "Proceedings" of the National Museum, $12,000.

(Stat., XXVII, 388.)

March 3, 1893.

Sundry civil act for 1894.

For continuing the preservation, exhibition, and increase of the collections from the surveying and exploring expeditions of the Govern ment, and from other sources, including salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, $132,500.

(Stat., XXVII, 581.)

For cases, furniture, fixtures, and appliances required for the exhibition and safe-keeping of the collections of the National Museum, including salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, $10,000. For expense of heating, lighting, electrical, telegraphic, and telephonic service for the National Museum, $11,000.

For postage stamps and foreign postal cards for the National Museum, $500.

(Stat., XXVII, 582.)

For the Smithsonian Institution, for printing labels and blanks and for the "Bulletins" and annual volumes of the "Proceedings" of the National Museum, $12,000.

(Stat., XXVII, 611.)

March 3, 1893.

Deficiency act for 1893, etc.

For expenses of heating the United States National Museum, $2,000. For continuing the preservation, exhibition, and increase of the collection from the surveying and exploring expeditions of the Government, and from other sources, including salaries or compensation of all necessary employees, $2,000.

(Stat., XXVII, 649.)

Under Smithsonian Institution: For preservation of collections, National Museum, $1.37.

Mr. JOHN SHERMAN presented a communication from the Secretary of State:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, D. C., February 3, 1892.

SIR: I desire to suggest that the bill providing for the appointment of representatives from the United States to the Columbian Historical Exposition at Madrid in 1892, introduced in the Senate through your courtesy, be amended so that the first section will read: "That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, authorized and requested to appoint a commissioner-general and two assistant commissioners, who shall serve without compensation," etc.

This is to be an historical exposition, and only the United States and the other republics and colonies of America have been invited to participate. It is proposed

therefore to confine the exhibit from this country to such appropriate archæological, ethnological, and historical objects and articles as are now in the museums and archives of the Government, or may be contributed or loaned by private individuals. It may be found practicable also to include in the exhibit some portion of the collections that are now being made by the Executive Departments of the Government for the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893.

At the request of the minister of Spain at this capital voluntary committees have already been formed in Washington, New York, and other States of the Union to promote an interest in the Spanish exposition, and to secure collections for exhibition there. These committees have already made gratifying progress, and it is believed that under the direction of an experienced and competent commissionergeneral an excellent display may be made.

As Spain was one of the first of the foreign governments to accept the invitation of the United States to participate in the proposed exposition at Chicago, it would only be ordinary courtesy to a friendly nation for us to do all in our power to promote the success of the plans she has formed to commemorate an event in which we are equally interested.

I would call your attention especially to the fact that the Madrid Exposition opens on the 12th of September next, and that early action by Congress is therefore desirable. It will be necessary only to provide the means to pay the expenses of the commissioners, and also the expense of preparing, packing, transporting, and installing the exhibit at Madrid and its return to the United States.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

Hon. JOHN SHERMAN,

JAMES G. BLAINE.

Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate.

May 13, 1892.

Urgent deficiency act for 1892.

For the expense of representation of the United States at the Columbian Historical Exposition to be held in Madrid in 1892 in commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America, $15,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to be expended under the direction and in the discretion of the Secretary of State; and the President is hereby authorized to appoint a commissioner-general and two assistant commissioners, who may, in his discretion, be selected from the active or retired list of the Army or Navy, and shall serve without other compensation than that to which they are now entitled by law, to represent the United States at said exposition; that it shall be the duty of such commissioners to select from the archives of the United States, from the National Museum, and from the various Executive Departments of the Government such pictures, books, papers, documents, and other articles as may relate to the discovery and early settlement of America and the aboriginal inhabitants thereof; and they shall be authorized to secure the loan of similar articles from other museums and private collections, and arrange, classify, and install them as the exhibit of the United States at the said exposition; that the President is authorized to cause the detail of officers from the active or retired list of the Army and Navy, to serve without compensation other than that to which they are now entitled by law, as assist