Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-01-13
Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun.

b.
The new Congress Library, founded upon the ba-
sis of that part of the collection which was saved
from the lire, will after short time, exceed in val
ue and extent the Library which was burnt The
number OF books is now about forty thousand, and
when the full amount of the appropriation by Con-
gress shall be expended it will be about sixty thou
sand.
1t is stated that the average cost of the books late
ly purchased was only dollar and seventy-fiV
cents volume. which may be considered as very
reasonable. There is danger of the destruction
of the library again by accidental fire. nor by re-
petition of the disaster of 1914 But Congress Ii
brary belongs to every body and after the books
scattered there is certainty that they will always
find their way back to their proper places.
The Aston Library in New York, was opened dur
ing last week. 1t contains about a hundred thou
sand Volumes of the choicest editions and the great
est perfection in binding. The whole amount of the
fund for the purchase Of this collection was hun
dred and twenty thousand dollars and it is not vet
exhausted.
Col Forces collection of works relating to Amer
lean history, &c, ought to become public property,
and be placed out of the reach of fire. and of borrow
ers and other dangers. The collection is believed
to be complete within itself in regard to the colonial
and revolutionary history of the country, and will
be invaluable to the future historian and statesman
| We hope to witness, at day, the establish
ment IN this city OF great national library for
ference which would be the resort of scholars and
library inquirers from every part of the country.
The work of retrenChment and reform, promise d
by every new administration, is to be commenced,
in the Senate, by bill to increase the salaries of
executive officers This is proper reform, and it is
true economy in public affairs in private, to en-
ploy competent agents and pay them literally. The
scale of compensation of employees in the executive
departments in this city is admitted to be too low.
There is disposition the part of Congress
to comply with the application of private compa-
ny for the use of public ground for great hotel
provided reliance be safely placed on the fulfill
ment of the conditions
The select committee of nine Senators the Pa
f cifc Railroad will be announced by the President
pro TEN. Mr.. Gwin will be chairman, and it is well
+ known that be is strongly committed against Col
Bentons route. The following will, in view of the
object of the powerful committee, be its geograph
cal and political cast, to wit Gwin of California
, Rusk, Of Texas Bright, Of Indiana Douglas of II
lnois; Everett, of Massachusetts,; Bell. of Tennes
see Seward. of New York; Chase, of Ohio; anC
: Dawson, of Georgia.
learn that special messenger despatched
to day with instructions to Minister in Mexico
, Ion.
The Dry Goods Trade of New York.
1t that this trade exceeds, for the past year
that of either of the two preceding years full fit
per cent. The following table Of review in tn
n Y. Journal of Commerce for the year ending las
Saturday. week will show the aggregate value of thu