Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-06
and the ZoolosicaI Park. which ia

amusement, and the Geological Park. which is
nothing but an sppendage 10 the Smithsonian
Institution. precisely rs are the grounds around
the battling. 1t does not stand upon the same
footing; Is not defended on the came ground.
Some of us. among them myself who were
warm friends of the Geological Park. resisted
and voted against every step which resulted in
the establishment of the Eock Creek Park;
therefore we come back to the original propo-
sition. The United States accepted Janles
SmithsOn's bcduest by establishing the institu-
ton. il in honor bound to do.
AS part of the development of that institu-
ton it purchased that property Tor the purpose
Of preventing the extinction of rare species of
American animals. 1t Is purely a scientific
branch, the practical part of il being neces-
sary to carry out scientific investigation. It
stands upon the same footing as all other parts
of that institution. where they have obtained
The best practical operation. They have to
send men 10 gather specimens in the north
west and everywhere. and while part OF this is
being carried on. il is being done in a manner
which serves for she adornment of the city and
enjoyment of the citizens OF Washington, and
they have justas much interest and 10 more in
tcrcst IN II than they have in the Capitol
grounds. in the grounds of the White House or
any other of the public grounds used for other
purposes. By treating 1t any other way than
as part OF that institution we make it so
that the whole matter may come up hereafter,
and we make the management of ii certainly
and continually matter for congressional dis
pute. which las been the case ever since this
was done. This il q very small par. of the
1000. 900 appropriated in this bill. and the
objection to it seems to be saving at the
spigot with danger CT probable waste at the
bunghole in the future
Mr.. HEARD FAvoRs THE AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Heard also favored the amendment pro-
posed by NJ. Breckinridge. Mr.. Heard said:
Il believe that the government ought to have
geological garden. but not, as my friend states,
for the benefit of the District of Columbia. /
would like to know by what authority of law or
by what justice can We. the Representatives of
the people of the United States, establish q
geological park for the benefit of the District
of Columbia? No such authority exists. This
park Is 10 DC established for the benefit of this
nation and the nation should pay for it. We
would have just as much right to make the peo-
pie of this District pay for the 'Capron coEec-
tion of Japanese articles of interest. as pro-
posed in a bill now pending. or any other col
lection Of articles of interest that Congress
might decide to buy to put in the Smithsonian
Institution.
As has been stated by the gentleman from
Kentucky, We are making the District of Co
lumbia a party. willing or unwilling. to part
nership in a geological garden for the benefit
of the United States. believe should have
that geological garden. believe it should be
maintained at the national expense. i believe
there should be a Rock Greek park. but / be-
heve it should be provided for by the District
OF Columbia. whose people will enjoy it. at least
in the greatest measure. But, Mr.. Chairman,
protest against designating this institution
geological garden established tor the benefit of
the District of Columbia and protest. and as
long as 1 am member of this House / shall
protest against making the people of this Dis
trict pay portion of the money appropriated
for the improvement and maintenance of that
garden, or for anything else connected with it,"
ALL TIE MONEY HAD BEEN JUpIcIoUsLY Ex-
TENDED.
Mr.. Wheeler said that every cent had been
judieiously spent on this park. AS to the gen.
tleman who expends this money, said 3Ir.
Wheeler. / can conceive of no one more proper
to control the expenditures or to supervise the
arrangement of this park.
Mr.. Rogers said he did not charge any i'm
proper expenditure of money. He simply
wanted attention called to the park. so it might
be determined whether there had been ju-
dicious use OF the money.
Mr.. Breckinridges amendment was rejected
viva voce and an amendment proposed by Mr..
Stockda.e (Miss.), striking out the clauses
which provided for the transportation Of ami
mails, for the purchase of rare specimens and
for salaries. and also reducing the appropria-
ton from Sl7. 800 to $500.
Mr.. Stockdale said he had always considered
the establishment OF this park a stupendous
piece of folly. He opposed especially at the
present time the appropriation for the trans
portation of animals. Mr.. Stockdale's amend
ment was also rejected. The discussion then
drifted to other matters.