Also, by act of February 28, 1872, upon the like conditions, the Legislature of the State of New Jersey appropriated the sum of $3,000 towards the work, which was followed on July 30, 1872, by an act of the State of Connecticut appropriating on the same terms the sum of $2,000. But these examples of duty discharged, not less than of patriotism, were not imitated by any other of the State governments. In February, 1872, a bill was introduced in the House providing that the affairs of the Society should be vested in a board of directors, to consist of five members of the Society and President and Secretary _ex officio_. Any person on payment of $5.00 to be a member, with all the rights and privileges of incorporators, to vote and hold office, except that of President of the Association. The bill was referred. The Society once more addressed a memorial to Congress praying a _direct_ appropriation might be made towards the completion of the Monument, or that "such action might be had as to the assembled patriotism of the Nation might seem meet." The memorial was referred in the House of Representatives to the Committee on the District of Columbia, which subsequently reported the subject back, April 19, 1872, recommending that "it be referred to the Committee on Appropriations," and it was so ordered, but no action was taken on the report at this session. January 27, 1873, a select committee of thirteen was appointed by the House under a resolution adopted to confer with the Society as to the practicability of completing the Monument by the "approaching Centennial." February 22, 1873, the committee submitted its report, which recommended that $200,000 be appropriated to aid the Society in its work. The report recited in part-- "The committee have become fully impressed with the belief that the present time is not only opportune for Congressional action in the matter, but that the _honor_ of the Nation demands it. * * * "Some question has been made as to the security of the foundations, and the committee caused an examination to be made upon this point. The Chief of Engineers was called upon to detail an officer to make an examination and report. His report is appended hereto, and shows that no perceptible change has taken place since the Monument was raised to its present height. * * *