Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-07
The Congressional Library.

The Congressional Library.
TIC the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR:
1t Is TO be hoped that the question OF providing
suitable accommodations for the National Library,
which has engaged the attention Of Congress for
more than ten years, will be finally settled by the
recent unanimous report OF the select committee
Of both Houses In favor OF erecting an ample build
Ing on the squares east OF the Capitol. The sub
jact has certainly been fully discussed, and the
plan now recommended Is the result of a careful
and Impartial consideration OF all the propositions
which have been submitted from time to time with
reference to the matter.
The Overcrowded condition Of the space now
assigned to the Library in the Capitol, is far from
being the only argument in favor of speedy action
In the matter OF providing new building for it.
The interests OF American literature and science
inpefatveiy demand that measures should be
taken to render the National Library 10 Washing
ton the largest and most complete institution Of
the kind in the world, Just soon such result
can be accomplished by the most liberal and en-
lightened use of the resources of the OVERLOOKING
treasury OF the nation. The Library now in the
Capitol is but small beginning towards what is
needed. While the men OF letters and scientists OF
the British Museum, and the 100000 volumes Of
the National Library OF France, as well as nuner-
Gus smaller public collections, and the rich private
literary treasures relating to special subjects be-
longing to the princes and men OF wealth, stu
dents and writer's find themselves constantly at a
disadvantage for the want OF books not to be had
in any library in this country Let any one at
tempt to study almost any subject thoroughly, and
Congressional Library are totally Insufficient to
enable him to make his Investigations exhaustive
and satisfactory.
In order that American scholars and scientists
may be placed upon an equal footing with those
o! the old world, our National Library should be
made with as little delay as possible, as complete
as it could be rendered by money, without ex-
pending any extravagant sums for IN erely rare
and curious books 1t should include all obtain
thought, observation and experience. Then
students, authors, inventors, publictsts legisla-
tors and all persons in the pursuit Of knowledge
OF any kind could resort to it, with the assurance
that they would be very likely to find something
to aid them in their researches.
The very rapidity with which books are now
multiplied, and with which discoveries are made
IN science and advancementS In all departments
OF knowledge, render the more necessary great
every respect. Such a library would render the
scholarship of our countrymen more thorough
and accurate by acquainting them with the re-
SUITS OF the labOrS and Investigations of others.
For specialists such library has become q neceS-
sity, for very seldom are those who are fortunate
enough to possess some means, able to provide
themselves with more than small portion OF the
books needed for the proper pursuit OF their
studies: 1t would be dlfricult to over estimate
hindered in their work by the want of Just such
aids as the National Library ought to afford them,
but does not. The same observation is true Of
every other department OF knowledge.
proper National Library should be designed
for the use of students Of all subjects of any con-
cetvable utility, and its leading character should
broadside, however, worthless the same may APP
pear to the general reader, should be rejected
from such collection. The mereSt trif1e, which
would not really deserve place in any ordinary
library, may prove to be invaluable for some one
OF the many purposes for which great National
Library Is consulted. 1t is the use of inst such
materials which has added such lively interest
t TO the pages OF Macauley and other modern his;
chroniclers of olden times.
such considerations as the foregoing must make
1t very manifest that the action Of Congress with
reference to the important institution in question
mas already been too long delayed. The interests
OF American literature and science as affected by
this subject have been Shamefully neglected while
millions of dollars have been annually appropri-
ated for objects OF doubtful utility. The long
delay by Congress in reference to this matter has
been source OF great anxiety and 1ntOlerable
vexat.on to the already large and constantly in
creaSlng class Of citizens who need such library
as has been described above to aid them in their
intellectual labors. With the light which the re-
port of the select committee of both houses throws
upon this subject there is need OF further delay
The bill should be passed at once, In order that
The work may be commenced with the opening OF
spring. True economy demands that this great
work should be pushed forward as rapidly as pos
sibe, for no expenditure OF money which this gov
eminent can make will in the end produce more
beneficent effects than will result from making
the library OF Congress what it ought to be- w.
A DESPERATE CoLoRED THIEF-Wm. White a no
trial in the Police Court yesterday on the charge
OF assaulting Robert G. Hurst, butcher in the K
street market, ON the nth OF last month. Accord
White In the act of picking the pocket OF his
QoLg's) wife and caught hold Of him, when White
threw him down. Mr.. Hurst then put White under
arrest, when the latter turned upon him, bit him
On the arm and cut him with a knife. After des-
perate Scrimmage with the Waterman and some
colored men, White escaped, but was rearrested
sunday morning by Policeman Duke. The court
sentenced White to six months in jail for the lar
ceny OF Mrs. Longs pOcketbOOk and six months
additional for the assault on Mr.. Hurst.