San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-01-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Oar Regular Correspondent

From Oar Regular Corrsspondsntl
1t is interesting to sit in the con-
gressional library, to watch the mem
bers and Senator'S who come in, and
listen to their questions, There is q
sort Of tradition about the Capitol
that the Librarian, Mr.. Spofford,
knows everything, and can answer
any and all questions. They come to
him to know the author Of some say
ing or expression of remote origin,
to get apt quotations, to decide upon
authorities, and to tell them just
where they can find oil about any
matter they have in mind. He is
even asked for the views of the great
men Of the country, running back to
the time of Washington, upon GER
tain leading questions. He has GER
tainly a remarkable fund of informa-
ton to draw from, for the collection
of books over which he presides is
the greatest'in the country. Though
the part of the Capitol occupied by
the library furnished shelf-room for
only 100000 volumes there are 525, :,
600 slowed away there. A large
number are 'colonized" in the dark
and badly ventilated vaults in the
cellar. The shelves along the long
aisles Of the library are piled one
above another with valuable books
until they reach the roof, two stories
high. There are stored the best col
lection Of newspapers in the world.
There are continuous files OF British
papers, running back for two centu-
ries, and American papers for over q
century, The file running farthest
back of the American publications is
the Philadelphia North American,
which, under the name Of the Pack
ct, was the first daily paper publish
ed in America. 1t appeared as the
Packet in It'll. Afterwards the
name was changed to Claypool's Ad-
vertiser, then to Poulson's Daily Ad-
vertiser. And, finally in 1889, to the
name it now bears.
I like to go over to the Library
when I am at the Capitol, and study
the various phases OF congressional
life exhibited there. Congressman
come and go, and there are SO many
of them that their literary indulgence
is diversified. There are always q
few veteran students of finance and
political economy in both houses.
Then, the railroad question is attract
ing a great deal Of attention now.
There is q constant demand for
book to give in concise form the
legislation of all the States concorn-
ing corporations and the result OF its
There is no such book,
and I don't know that anybody con-
templates preparing one. As it is,
the members and Senators devour all
they can find upon the subject, and
are constantly seeking information.
The social question, 80 far as it enters
into the question of the control of
the body Of the people, through the
influence Of corporations, is an inter
esting question. I have observed a
group of members and Senators who
particularly study these questions,
and they pay daily visits to the Ii
brary. Some Of our legislators
evince decided preference for light
reading-novels, poetry, and all kinds
Of fiction, but chiefly voyages and
Stories Of the Arctic re-
yions and narratives Of the explora-
ions in Africa, along the Congo
basin, are much read. A peculiar
feature now observable is the popu-
arity Of poetry in this Congress
All the British and American poets
ire read.
A careful observer can tell what the
Nation is talking about by watching
What certain Congressman read.
Apropos, everything relatingt 10 treaty
questions is now in great demand
There are about a dozen Senators
md eighteen or nineteen members
Who study this question very care
ully. I might add that this Con
yress reads more than any Of its pre-
lecessOrs for twenty-three years
There are from three 10 four tbous-
md books out Of the library all the
ime. All books are read in which
he question Of how far the House
nay oppose the Senate in matters Of
reAties - discussed They are a.
RAYS looking for precedentS There
ever vas q body % eager for pre-
,edents AZ The Americ4n House of
2sprosentAtirsS and none 20 ready !