SEC. 3. That for the purpose of enabling the collection in foreign markets of samples of merchandise of the character in favor and demand therein, of illustrating the manner in which merchandise for such markets should be prepared and packed, together with necessary business data concerning said samples, to be displayed at the said exposition for the instruction and benefit of American manufacturers and merchants, and thereby laying the foundation of a great system of national commercial education, there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the board of trustees of the Philadelphia Museums the sum of $50,000: Provided, That this sum shall be expended only for the purposes set forth in this section, and the samples of merchandise so collected shall become the property of said Philadelphia Museums. The Department of State is hereby directed to cooperate in this work, through the consular service of the United States, in such a manner as may be agreed upon by conference between the Secretary of State and the trustees and officers of the exposition association. SEC. 4. That to aid in providing buildings necessary for the purposes of the exposition (said buildings to be erected on lands set aside by the city of Philadelphia for the board of trustees of the Philadelphia Museums, and after the close of the exposition to be available for one or more of the various purposes of the Philadelphia Museums corporation, as set forth in its charter) and for the purpose of collecting, installing, and caring for such an exhibit by the United States Government as may be found expedient and desirable, there is hereby appropriated, out of any money not otherwise appropriated, to the said Philadelphia Exposition Association the sum of $300,000: Provided, That no liability against the Government shall be incurred, and no payments of money under this section shall be made, until the officers of said exposition shall have furnished the Secretary of the Treasury proofs to his satisfaction that there have been obtained by said board of trustees of the Philadelphia Museums and said Philadelphia Exposition Association, in good faith, subscriptions, contributions, donations, or appropriations, from all sources, for the purpose of said exposition and the buildings to be used therefor, a sum aggregating not less than an amount equal to the sum appropriated in this section. SEC. 5. That the United States shall not in any manner, nor under any circumstances, be liable for any of the acts, doings, proceedings, or representations of said board of trustees of the Philadelphia Museums or the Philadelphia Exposition Association, its officers, agents, servants, or employees, or any of them, or for service, salaries, labor, or wages of said officers, agents, servants, or employees, or any of them, or for any subscriptions to the capital stock, or for any certificates of stock, bonds, mortgages, or obligations of any kind issued by said corporation, or for any debts, liabilities, or expenses of any kind whatever attending such corporation or accruing by reason of the same, other than are in this act provided. SEC. 6. That nothing in this act shall be so construed as to create any liability of the United States, direct or indirect, for any debts or obligations incurred, nor for any claim for aid or pecuniary assistance from Congress or the Treasury of the United States in support or liquidation of any debts or obligations created by said board of trustees of the Philadelphia Museums or the Philadelphia Exposition Association in excess of the sums herein appropriated. (Stat., XXX, 768.) March 1, 1899, Joint resolution. Resolved, etc., That the act of Congress approved February 26, 1885, prohibiting the importation of foreigners under contract to perform labor, and the acts of Congress prohibiting the coming of Chinese persons into the United States, and the acts amendatory of these acts, shall not be construed, nor shall anything therein operate to prevent, hinder, or in anywise restrict any foreign exhibitor, representative, or citizen of a foreign nation, or the holder who is a citizen of a foreign nation of any concession or privilege from the Philadelphia Exposition Association of Pennsylvania from bringing into the United States, under contract, such mechanics, artisans, agents, or other employees, natives of their respective foreign countries, as they or any of them may deem necessary for the purpose of making preparations for installing or conducting their exhibits or of preparing or installing or conducting any business authorized or permitted under or by virtue of or pertaining to any concession or privilege which may have been granted by the Philadelphia Exposition Association of Pennsylvania in connection with such exposition: Provided, however, That no alien shall by virtue of this act enter the United States under contract to perform labor except by express permission, naming such alien, of the Secretary of the Treasury; and any such alien who may remain in the United States for more than three months after the close of the exposition shall thereafter be subject to all the processes and penalties applicable to aliens coming in violation of the alien contract-labor law aforesaid. (Stat., XXX, 1390.) |