Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-12-22
The State Library.

Many years ago this institution was in q
condition that lily comported with it's dig
nifed title. The books were scattered in
unknown places and in irresponsible hands
throughout the state. No adequate record
was kept of books taken from the library
many volumes were lost or stolen no thor.
ough-going system of classification and cata-
loguing was followed and IL was uncertain
what books were in the library and difficult
to find what was supposed to be stored some
where in its alcoves. Under the fostering
care of the late Charles Reed as librarian,
and of his successor, Hiram A. Huse, Esq,
and supported by a more liberal policy OH The
part of the state, the library has been re-
deemed from its former condition of demon.
alization and ineiliciency II has been en-
larged and enriched by the addition of many
valuable volumes, and cared for upon care
full system that secures complete protection
as well as perfect utilization of this portion
of the states property, the commercial value
of which is not far from one hundred thou
sand dollars but whose intrinsic value il is
difficult to state in figures. What renders
the custodianship of this property more
delicate and responsible matter is its perish
able nature If it is not assiduously cared for
by competent hands. Having been at the
expense of collecting this library of valua-
BILE works, designed and used for the public
benefit, 1t seems unwise for the state to pur-
sue towards it a line of policy that will di-
vest 1t of any safeguard in its curatorship,
or impair in any degree its public usefulness.
We dare say there is great deal of bun
combe in many of the declarations made by
some persons respecting the price at which
this library can now be properly cared for
Some of these statements emanate from in
dividuals whose position and ability to
judge of such matters should teach them
caution in the statements they make. In
estimating the quality of the service de-
manded and the price to be paid for it, the
value of the property, and its perishable
character under careless guardianship,
should be taken into account What kind
of a man should be chosen TO take the re.
sponsible charge of one hundred thou
sand dollars worth of property, land or
or houses, or securities-and what value is
generally placed upon the services of a com.
petent manager of such property The an
swer is plain one. On substantially the
same principle party having 100000
worth of books, if he could not care for
them himself, would select and pay a re-
sponsible guardian of his literary treasures.
In term of years the state will act on sub
stantially the same principle. Spasmodic
efforts at false economy may sometimes be
made for purpose, but in the end the state
cannot pursue course essentially different
from that which a prudent business man
would follow. On this basis the state should
select and pay its librarian, as we'll as its
other officers with especial reference to the
quantity and quality of the work to be DONE
The public demand for books from the
library, especially law books, has so largely
increased that the constant services of one
man through the year is demanded at the
library. If every day of his time is not al
ways fully employed it is so nearly so that
the fragment of his time is of no avail for
other pursuits. Mr.. Thomas l.. Wood the
faithful and efficient assistant librarian, has
worked without intermission, doing great
deal of vexatious work with rare courtesy
and patient good nature, during the last
biennial term. The legislature should pay
such an officer fairly and equitably. Eleven
hundred dollars, the sum provided in the
report of the committee for assistants in the
library during the full biennial term, alone
will no more than pay this officer paltry
salary for two years service; and yet out of
this sum not only this officer but the extra
assistants required during the session must
be paid if the report is adopted The best
interests of the state evidently demand in
this particular more liberal provision. In
the management of its library the legisla-
ture should guard as jealousy against par
simony as extravag ince. OF the two the
former is sometimes the more dangerous
extreme