New-York tribune., 1878-06-10
AN OVERLOOKING LIBRARY.
. REPORT AGREED UPON IN FAVOR OF NEW
Library BUILDING FOR CoNGREss-THE De
prORARIF STATE or THINGS AT PRESENT.

LIBRARY BUILDING FOR CONGRhss-ihH DL-
PLORABLE STATE oy THINGS AT PRESENT
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNEI
WASHINGTON, June 9.-The Congressional
Library Commission, created three months ago by an
Act Of Congress to consider and select plan for IN
creased library accommodations. and site for new
building II one soud be thought necessary held ses-
sion on Friday and agreed upon report
The three prominent propositions before tho commits
sion were first the extension Of the centre budng OF
the Capitol east west secondly the purchase OF lana
for the erection Of o separate building thirdly, tne
erection Of library building in Judiciary Square, large
reservation In the centre city, formerly
occupied by the District jail, but recently converted
into one Of largest and hanGsomest Of the Washing
ton parks In addition these three other plans were
suggested. Two Of them contemplated extending the
Capitol grounds north and south respectively ana
placing the new library the brow Of the hi on ne
with the Capitol; aud the third contemplated tue pur-
chase OF land on Pennsy ylvaniaave opposite TIE Botah
cal Gardens The commission after much discussloh
has agreed upon the Judiciary Square site. ana ts rec
ommendation viii be made within day or two to Con-
eress by the chairman, Senator Howe TO whom II has
been left 10 draw and present the report.
TINS report while making tho especial recommendation
agreed upon about the ste " the library VIII also present
the considerations and against the other proposed
sites and plans The objection which was in the begin
ming urged outside aud inside Of the commission against
the erection OF separate building apart from the Cap
to namely thatit would remove the library from the in
mediate reach Of members OF Congress has
been answered by the statement Of Librarian SPOT
ford who IS one OF the members OF tie com
mission. that from Gfy 10 seventy thousand books
can be properly retained in their present accom-
nodations within the walls Of the Capitol This num-
ber will amply embrace all books important reference
which can be supplied from the duplicates now ID pos
session Of the library, and according TO MI sponoTd
will comprise IN itself library twice as large as that
contained under the roof OF any Other parliamentary
building if the world.
In the opinion Of the Librarian. which has been &c
cepted as that Of the commission It would be impossible
10 make any extension Of the Capitol answer Inc
rapidly expanding wants OF the National Library Inc
fact that viii require an additional two years leGay
10 complete the appraisal and purchase Of any site
fora library such as that proposed Capitol Hill,
where the Government 40 land has been in view
of the edatenecesses OF increased library accom-
modations fatal TO that proposition
The report OF the commission Will recommend the APP
preparation by Congress- in its present session. o ToO
600 with which TO begin immediate work on the site
and foundations OF the building, which will be
placed in tho centre OF the square, with am-
ple room for extension in all time 70 come.
The commission also recommends ts own continuance
for the purpose Of collecting and considering architect
ural plans for thesructure and OF presenting them 10 Con
oress at future session. nothing further having oeen
agreed upon than the general size OF the building which,
II constructed according TO the recommendation Of the
o,,stoners will be from $50 to 400 feet square In It's
oround Dimensions. The report OF the committee VIII
strongly urge the immediate adoption by Congress
~ ifs various recommendations, especially that Tor
an appropraton with which 10 begin the building OF the
lurarv during the present Summer Mr. spoford, how
over with the light OF his past experience In attempting
N eage interest In this matter does not
feel wholly sanguine
The state Of things existing IN the library If depomDe
There are AT present 10000 volumes sufficient num-
her to form one Of the largest OF The mi
nor libraries in the country, without Shelf
rooro the regular accommodations for books
hino long ago been filed to theif extreme
anacitv Two hundred wooden cases have been
ttroduced mucb against the Librarians VIII, into the
Ase-uroof structure OF the library LOT hddilOnal
Recommendations, thus endangsrng tne Wh9'e no va. no
formulation of SbOOks through the chances OF cOnnagfa-
on These cases Obstruct all the passageNAYb OF te
library and their limit OF capacity ha6 slso Deen
reached. Books now beng pned III tHe
atfic and cellar OF the Capitol in dark rooms Only
DrOper Tor stOwaRo and not supplied WIN tne sEuesI
facilities for reference The open spaces Oi the library
have becOme crowded with piles OF DOOhs ana manu-
scripts and there Is no longer any privacy Io cllpoi
OF Congress, other students desiring 10 lhVes
In addition TO tlhs the immense business OF inc
great Copyright Bureau, All Of the functions OF
which were transferred few years ago 10 tue once
OF the Librarian OF Congress, InlAt DC car
ried within the crowded aleoyes ol INC ilDr1y
since 1870 there have accumulated under the law
recurring deposit for copyright 100000 articles Ibese
include great numbers OF maps chart1 engrayngs, pno
periodicals and muscal compositions; Ihese articles
of literature sent here hy the A99fean m % Seyg
method of storing them IN heaps on the hoors OF the IL
brary" But in spite OF the enbafassmehts Win which,
TShToriau saws that he has thus far continued
TO answer, by return mail, every apphcatlOn
eedv done by Congress for the increase Of It's accom-
OdatiOns the functions OF the Congressional Library
oD and Librarian will be- as be asserts that nc sha
be- q " Master OF chaos and nothing more