The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-30
THE CONGREssIONAL LIBRARY.

THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
The CARBON ADVOCATES regular Wash
ington correspondent sends us the following |
interesting sketch of the Congressional Lii |
brary: The immense collection of books
known as the Congressional Library is now
piled up and slowed away, so to speak, in
largest collection on this continent, and con-
sidering the comparative youthfullness OF
this nation, ranks favorably with the Ma
tional libraries of the old world. There is no
room for this large library in the Capitol,
without encroachng upon space required |
for other uses, and anything like an advan-
tageous arrangement Of the thousands of vol
umes, where they now are, is utterly inpos
sible. Mr.. Spofford, the librarian in charge
knows pretty much everything there is to be
known about books and is more competent
than any other man in America to manage
this library, but he labors under great dis
advantages, which are increasing year by
year as the books increase in number. For
several years the question OF a suitable build
ing for this especial purpose has been urged
upon the attention of Congress, and last
year action to this end was taken. Last win
ter the contest over the selection of a site
occupied considerable attention and it was
not finally disposed of when the time for
adjournment came. 1t is to be hoped that
the early days of the next session will settle
that issue and that the next step will be
promptly taken. The fact that so many of
our Congressman are not "literary fellers,"
and that purely literary establishment has
had nothing TO do with the great question of
patronage. has heretofore operated unfortu
nately for the interests of the library.
This now colossal institution started from
a foundation of small beginnings At the
first session of the With Federal Congress at
Philadelphia, an act was passed providing
for the removal ofthe seat of the Government
to Washington, and Section of that act ap-
propriated $1,000 to purchase books and fit
up suitable apartment in which to keep
them for the use of both Houses of Congress
Among the members OF the Senate Commit
tee assigned to the duty Of carrying this pro-
vision into effect was James A. Bayard, of
Delaware, grandfather of the present Sena-
tor from that State. Two years later, Con.
gress provided for Librarian at $500 per
day when actually employed. For several
years following, tbs expenses OF the library
must have been very small, as in the year
1909 the sum of $3.50. comprised the appro-
prlation for that purpose, and for the five
succeeding years $1,000 was appropriated
annually. At the end Of fourteen years the
the whole rumber of books accumulated was
5000, .on the evening of August 25th, 1914,
the British under Gen. Ross entered Wash
ington and burned the public buildings in
cludng the Capitol, and the library was des-
troyed. From that time the Congressional
Library ceased TO exist, until January ofthe
following year when Congress purchased for
S2S,950 the library of President jefferson,
containing 600 volumes. For thirty-six
years after this the library continued to in
crease in size, importance and usefulness
until the oath of December 1915, when 35,-
900 volumes were destroyed by fire. Con-
gress then took the matter seriously in hand
and IN 1852 appropriated $72, 900 for repair
ing the library and 5000 for the purchase
OF new books.
Year by year the needs and necessities
have increased its expenses, and its rapid
growth has outstripped all other institutions
Of the kind in the world, when it is remem.
bered that in 1852 there was but twenty
; thousand volumes TO start with and that now
there are over 100000 volumes. And it
value and quality is commensurate with III
rapid growth. Like all great Government
libraries its law of increase can no longer be
governed by the requirements of the Nation
al Legislature. 1t has come to be th,
representative and custodian of the entir,
literature of the country. Through the op
erations of the copyright law it receives auC
preserves copies of all the books, periodicals
b maps, charts, and works of art, for whicl
: exclusive right the publication is secured +
the uutuoIs OF puOlsnefs. lnese entire
number about 10000 year. In addition +
i this source of increase, which costs th
II Government nothing and brings in ever
e book ofany value produced in the country
: the library is largely recruited from the fol
e lowing sources: First-From the annus
y deposits of books by tie Smithsonian Inst
d tuition, whose library was incorporated wit
& the Congressional Library in 1865. Thes
n books are most wholly scientific, represent
ie ing the transactions of most of the learne
y societies of the world, in every departmer
+ Of inquiry, and in all languages. Second
From deposits Of the public documents
Congress, and every State in the Union Il
d reports of Chambers of Commerce an
VI Boards OF Trade and the donations of socle
III les and individuals. The works secured vi
y der this head are valuable for statistical an
al Commercial information. Thlrd-From
eS system of international exchanges, throug
TX which fifty sets Of the documents ofCongre
DC aud other Government publications are e
IN changed with foreign Governments, wheret
the library is being constantly enriched wit
= the freshest official documents as well
III with many books dealing with the natur
history, resources explorations, suryeys,ar