New-York tribune., 1878-03-04

TING Up A $24j, 900 BUILDING FOR IT-wIY a
NEW ONE Is NEEDED.
lBr TELEGRAPH TIE TRIBUSEi
WASHINGTON. March 3.-The House Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds, 20 which wasreferred
a bill 70 provide for the construction of building
suitable for National museum, has submitted
report with estimates, favorng an appropriation OF
S245,300 for tie purpose mentioned. After CIV
ing in detail history of the origin and develop
ment of the Smithsonian Institution up to the pres
elt time. the report continues:
During the progress OF the Centennial Exhibition 1t
vas intmated 10 the Smithsonian Institution that
UniIed States Government close but number
and agtude OF these donations proved To De vastly IN
excess Of any authorizations that could have been formed
Many of the foreign commissioners had intended to
divide the collections among different establishments in
The United states but t1s promised 10 Involve serious
complications with the Custom House authorities and
was thought e1pedcnt ly most ot them TO present.
OF would receive them free OF duty and with me
Understanding that any duplicates not neeiea ioI tle
National Museum might De distributed among the Yar-
Gus educational and scientific institutions OF the c0ui
Gy. Aceordngy Of forty countries when naae mao Coy ,
presented the greater part or tie whole n, OF
sentcd aggregate Of great magnitude and value,
including variety OF valuable ores samples Of the
cations In art and industry, building stones pottery and
porcelain earths terra coaS cet samples OF furs and
substances used n dyeng tanning etc. apparatus fOr the
pursuit and capture OF Wild animals for the taking OF fish,
and customs OF people Of various degrees OF cyzaton
Industrial products and other articles too 20
menon TINS placing at the service Of the people OF the
United States that portion OF TIE International Exhibit
non which vas considered OF most value. and permitting
ue reproduction in better form and of instructive
character OF ali the best part OF the display.
~ addition To the collective exhibit II the Foreign
commissioners thus referred 10, many specimens
supplied by individuals and firms belonging 10 various
iorelgn countries.
The cost the respective Governments OF the art
ees thus turned the United States least
nall amiion OF dollars. Their value 10 the United
states 10 allowing comparison Of home products with
those o! foreign countries, and in improving American
results OF those OF the rest Of the world cannot be repre-
sehed In figures. In addition 70 the above mentioned
svhuibutions large proportion OF the state displays
snu tnOsc o. individual American exhibitors at Phadel
pna are also to be added to the list Of acquisitions.
The plan OF the proposed building adopted by the
committee, and which originally suggested by
ueneral Meigs, is somewhat similar in character to
those erected for the National Exposition, 800 feet
square, or having an area Of 10000 square feet,
something two acres perfectly freproof, amply
hghted, and properly adapted for all its objects 1t
can be ready for occupation with ten months or at
most year from the time of its commencement.
oy the plan contemplated everything will be on one