OWEN'S GEOLOGICAL CABINET
The House concurrent resolution concerning the appropriation of $20,000 for the purchase of Dr. D.D. Owen's geological cabinet being read -
Mr. WOLCOTT moved to amend by reducing the appropriation to $10,000, for the reason that such cabinets have very little market value, though collected at great expense of time and labor. The Senator from Monroe stated last session that it had been offered to the State University for $10,000, and the present State Geologist knew of its having been offered for $16,000. Then a sister State has paid but $3,000 for one probably as good.
Mr. FISHER said that the widow of Dr. Owen would rather sell it for $16,000 and have it retained in the State than to sell it for $20,000 and have it removed out of the State, and that she had been offered the latter sum from parties outside of the State.
Mr. JAQUESS understood that this cabinet could be bought for $16,666, but thought it better to pass the resolution as it is it embracing the items of expense incident to the removal of this cabinet.
Mr. CARSON said the appropriation of such a large sum was a proper subject for the consideration of a committee, and he moved to refer the resolution and Amendment to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. FISHER thought the reference unnecessary; that committee knows nothing about this cabinet, except from rumor.
Mr. CARSON said the committee should consider the ability of the State to make this appropriation, the necessity of it, and its propriety.
Mr. MORGAN regarded this as one of the most valuable cabinets in the country, embracing some 84,000 collections. He saw no necessity of sending this resolution to a committee, and was very much in favor of the appropriation.
Mr. WOOD suggested that there was no place about the State buildings in which to put this cabinet, and gave that as one additional subject for the consideration of the committee.
Mr. WOLCOTT noticed that there is no mention made in the resolution about the furniture of the cabinet the scales, drawers, cases, etc. He had no doubt this is a very valuable cabinet, but knew from general observation that geological cabinets are not valuable property. Looking at such a purchase, however, in a favorable light, he would consent to an advance on his own proposition of $6,000; and so proposed to amend it.
Mr. Carson's motion was agreed to, and the resolution and amendments were ac page: 197[View Page 197]cordingly referred to the Committee on Finance.
The bill [H. R. 80] declaring what evidence shall be sufficient to establish title, prima facie, under a Sheriff's sale on execution, was read the first time and passed to a second reading.
