Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1880-06-04

else. because there is no place in which
to properly dispose them. These books
are piled up and stored away ii the
place now occupied, in an almost un-
comatable mass. Were Mr.. Spofford,
the present librarian who is thor
ough man and himself walking cy-
clopedia In book matters-to suddenly
step down and out, / doubt if any .iv-
ing being could tell what is in that
library, or where to find many of the
valuable works. Were such collec-
tion anywhere but at Washington, and
under the control of any other body of
men than Congressman, it would have
long ago been cared for according to
its merits. If there is not sufficient
room for it in the Capatol, it is far
more worthy Of a special bailding than
many less important public charges
that are being expensively housed all
over the country. / shall hereafter
give your readers something CONCERN
ing this library, its history, and an ac-
count of the treasures it contains.
The HanIan Courtney boat race at
tracted the largest crowd Of people
and excited the greatest interest of
any event at the National Capital for
many years. And it was also the
greatest fzzle ever seen anywhere.
The shores of the Potomac river were
lined with a crowd Of people estimated
to have been not less than one hun
dred thousand. Everybody expected
fine contest. There seemed to be no
reason why both oarsmen should not
do their best; both were thought up to
the last moment to be in good condi-
tion, both had thousands Of friends
and sympathisers, and six thousand
dollars awaited the winner The peo-
| pie Of Washington, in common with
Americans everywhere, were anxious
to see Courtney victorious that he
might not only honor his country but
retrieve his own lost position But
! the man did not even row over the
course. A few hours before the start
stories of his illness were circulated
and upon plea of headache and pros
tration from heat he merely padded
Ilistlessly over less than half the dis
tance and returned to his boat house
1t is unfortunate for him, perhaps,
that he was already under cloud and
that his plea of illness was not accept
ed. Opinions do not agree as to the
cause of his failure. Some believe
that it is lack Of pluck, that he is SO
nervous when the test comes that it
actually does make him sick. But if
this was the case why should be go
out on the water when not in a condi-
ton to row and thus lose his hackers
their wagers. Had he not gone out
f most of the money bet on him-aud
there were many thousands of dollars
, would have been drawn. This gives
, color to the theory that he got more
money from the gamblers than the
amount of the stake. Whatever may
} be the correct theory Courtney's career
as professional oarsman would seem
to be ignominiously ended. There is
: no doubt among those who are posted
2 that he could beat Hanlan if he would
: Or if he had the nerye to row. His
5 stroke is the easiest and his pull the
e strongest; but probably they will never
I squarely pull against each other now.
! Whether cowardice is his trouble or
whether his course is dictated by ras-
!. cality the disgrace that he is AN Aineri
can is all the same PHoSo.
o The average cost of the cng.avingS
= 4 I