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XII     JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS.

Dr. Maclean having called the attention of the Board to the fact that the sundry papers of Professor Henry on scientific subjects had not been published in the series issued by the Smithsonian Institution, it was 

Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to have the scientific writing of Prof. Joseph Henry collated and published.

The Secretary presented his annual report of the operations, expendiditures, and condition of the Institution for the year 1882.

On motion of Mr. Cox it was

Resolved, That the report of the secretary be referred to the Executive Committee, with authority to transmit it to Congress.

The Secretary called attention to the importance of fire-proofing the eastern portion of the Smithsonian building, especially as the supply of water was now so scanty that none could be had above the basement floor. The Committee on Appropriations of Congress had given assurance that the necessary amount should be granted at the present session.

The Secretary also called attention to the growth of the Government collections and the necessity for speedy action in relation to an additional building for the use of the Museum and the Geological Survey. He presented the following bill, which had been introduced in the House of Representatives, on the 10th of April, 1881, by Hon. Mr. Shallenberger, and was now before the committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.

FORTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION.-H. R. 5781.

A BILL for the erection of a fire-proof building on the south portion of the Smithsonian Reservation, for the accommodation of the United Stated Geological Survey, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the sum of two hundred thousand dollars be, and hereby is, appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the erection of a fire-proof building on the south portion of the Smithsonian Reservation, for the accommodation of the United States Geological Survey, and for other purposes: Provided, That the consent of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution be first obtained thereto, and that the building be under their direction when completed: And provided further, That the building be erected by the Architect of the Capitol, in accordance with plans approved by the Director of the United States Geological Survey, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and the Architect of the Capitol, acting as a board therefor."

After a very full expression by the Regents in favor of immediate action, on motion of General Sherman it was

Resolved, That the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution recommend to Congress to enlarge the National Museum, so as properly to exhibit the mineral, geological, and other collections already on hand