Mr. SHERMAN. That appropriation has been passed for several years. Last year, during last summer, on account of the vast increase of persons of this character, they formed a plan to liuild a building costing $90,000, $00,000 of which they expect to get from other sources and $30,000 they ask from the Government of the U.S. 2 years ago, under the act of April 8, 1804, this cliarit was incorporated by asecial act, entitled “ n act to incor orate the H’rovidenee hospital of the city of Vashington, DistCol.” That not incorporated 4 or 5 of these Sisters of Charity by name as an incorporation. When this proposition came before the ComFinance the objection was made, 1st, that there was no guarantee that any money would be paid by anybody else except by the U.S., and that probably the ladies would only have the $30,000 and expend that, and then would call upon the Government for more. I have obviated that objection by requiring the money to be paid only in in stallments, and as they expend an equal amount derived from other sources. It was objected, too, that the fund might be diverted from the purpoae which was designed by Congress, and that this being a corporation solely under the control of the Sisters of Charity, it might be diverted to a different purpose. I have endeavored to guard against that by declaring that this building shall be dedicated to the uses named. for the use of indigent persons, and that it shall be under the control and management of the Sistersof Charity. I have guarded it as far as I can. Now, in regard to the general Charity, from all the representations that have been made to me, I think it is one of the meet deserving objects to which Congress could grant aid. If we grant charitv in any case, we ought to do so in a case of this kind. The number of tran sient sick here has, since the war, very largely increased; and it seems to me we ought to do something for them. These ladies represent to me that very often drunken people are brought there, black and white, and they are relieved promptly without regard to their creed and without regard to their condition. Very many persons are brought there in a very des titute state and taken care of until employment is found for them. From all the representations that have been made to me by the ladies themselves, and by other persons who have no interestin this charity, I havenodoubt it is one of the most deserving and useful that can commend itself to the attention of congress. My impression is, that with the limitations contained in this proviso, the charity would be a wise one, and that we ought to contribute at least 1/3rd toward this churity. Without this they cannot. construct the buildings that are necessary for the increased number of patients that will naturally come to them.