Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-15
The New Library Building.


The bill authorizing the construction OF
building for the accommodation of the con-
gress1onal library, as reported In the Senate
yesterday by Mr.. voorhees, from the committee
on the library, provides:
"That a fire proof building for the accommo-
dation Of the library OF Congress shall be erected
on reservation numbered tnirty-tive OF the pub
Tic grounds, known as Judiciary Square; and
the construction OF said building, according to
the plan adopted by the joint select committee
on additional accommodations for the library Of
Congress, shall be In charge of commission
composed OF the Secretary Of the Interior, the
architect Of the Capitol extension and the Ii
Drar1an OF Congress: and the sum of one million
fve hundred thousand dollars is hereby aDpro-
prtated, out OF any money in the Treasury not
otherwise appropi lated TO commence the con-
structlon OF said building; and the moneys ap-
by the Secretary OF the Interior"
THE MAJORITY REPORT
rec1tes the act OF Congress creating the board o.
experts, etc, declares that no enlargement o.
The Capitol can accommodate the library AMI
gives the reasons therefore; that no govern
ment library in the world, except this one, Is
located In the legislative building; that sepa
tate building Is absolutely necessary; that the
estimates of the architects walter and Clark]
are that 1t would cost s. 500, 900 to extend the
eastern center of the Capitol out $50 feet
for a library, but separate building can
be erected at a cost to range from
81 500 OO0 to $4,000,O00; therefore a separate
building Is economy. The committee state
tnat the most eligible site offered OF all involving
the purchase OF ground was the one proposed
east OF the Capitol grounds but 1t would cost
obe million dollars to purchase it, and the COM
m1ttee cannot advise that. Besides, delay would
be caused in getting title by judicial process
f. Om property unwilling to Sell-a delay
OF one OF two years. The committee recommend
Judiciary Square as the best site to be had
under the circumstances. because 1t Is centrally
located; firm foundation exists In the center;
contains 1919 acres-plenty OF space for the
building and park too: the governments title
to the square Is perfect the objection OF remote
ness from the Capitol can be remcdied by leaving
working library in the Capitol
THE MINORITY REPORT.
Senator Morrill,. In minority report, dlssents,
on the gTouLd that the library should be con-
tinued where IT will be OF greatest service to
Congress. 2d. Judiciary square is not q gOOd
site. Sd. It Is proposed 10 occupy the worst
part OF the square for the proposed building.
4th. No public reservations should be used for
building. except In extreme necessity. 9Th. A
good foundation Cannot be Obtained on the pro-
posed site. 9th. A far better site. more acceosi-
bic, and near to the Capitol. can be bought
cheap, directly east OF tue Capitol grounds and
Its immense superiority In all respects, save
cost, is not cOntroverted" 7th. In order 10 get
the best sites for government buildings else
where. liberal appropriations ate made and
cannot Congress afford To deal out equal just
ice to the national capttal?" 9th. II Judiciary
square must Ee sacrificed for the purpose. let 1t
be sold In building lots and the money used to
purchase a firSt-claSS site,