Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-10

| procuring q separate DullOlnS, teDruary
1873, he introduced a bill for the appointment
of a commission to consider and report upon
the necessary measures for the enlargement OF
the present quarters OF the library to meet
| Its existing and future wants. This bill was
passed, and the commission was appointed,
consisting Of the chairmen Of the Senate and
House committees on the library. chafrmen OF
the two committees on public buildings and
grounds, and the librarian of Congress. A
archcs IN fas at once
The commission, sharing Senator Howe's de.
spo na en- as to getting separate building
early relief, and felt that this would be more
speedily accomplished by
ENLARGING THE CAPITOL,
but after patient and diIigent investigation
they reported that Notwithstanding their
earnest desire to keep the library within the
Capitol building and in the face of several
plans which had been submitted to them for
accomplishing this object, the commission had
concluded that no such plan was practicable
and that the library, II enlarged, could not be
made part Of the Capitol without serious
detriment to its architectural effect and other
grave disadvantages. The commission then
summed up its conclusions by recommending a
separate edifice.
Senator Howe submitted proposition to ap.
propriate $50, 900 to lay the foundation of a
building in Judiciary square, but it was not
voted upon.
Senator VOORHEES,, upon taking his seat, was
made a member of the library committee. and
NC ~ OAC0 UeCstiuo tue CHAMPION OI u new
building. His public service in Washington
had rendered him familiar with the library, its
value and its needs. In the long session of the
Forty-sixth Congress he made strenuous and
persistent efforts to secure favorable action
upon the library bill, but the best he could do
June Sth, $780, which created a joint select
committee, consisting of three Senators and
three Representatives with power to employ
TO carefully examine and consider what prac-
ticable and beneficial changes could be made
in and out of the Capitol building for the bet
ter accommodation of the houses of Congress
ana the congressional library; also, authorizing
the joint committee to examine the question of
site outside the Capitol for the library and re-
port what location would be most suitable, ETC.,
and appropriating $4,000 for the use of this
committee.
THE JOINT COMMITTEE.
The real object of Senator VOORHEES, was to
advance the library project, and the committee
devoted itself 10 that, though in report SUBJ
mltted some recommendations were made as
to the ventilation of the Senate chamber and
hall ofthe House. Senator Voorhees, was made
chairman Of the joint committee. and as a re-
cognition of his earnest and valuable services in
behalf of the library, he has amid all the
changes the Senate has undergone, been kept
at that post. The act authorized the commit
tee to receive plans, designs and estimates from
the three persons it was empowered to employ,
and to report such plans, etc., back to Congress.
The Joint committee was composed OF Senators
Senate was then democratic), and Representa-
tives Geddes, Cook and Claf1in. After consulta-
ton the committee unanimously selected Mr..
Edward Clark, architect of the Capitol; Alex
ander r. Esty, OF Boston, and John L. Smith.
meyer, of Washington, as the three persons OF
skill and attainments. A letter OF Instructions
was issued directing these experts to examine
into the matter of library accommodations
within and without the Capitol and to submit
their conclusions, together with plans, esti-
mates, etc. The committee interpreted the
primary purpose of the act to be to provide for
the wants of the library. During the recess OF
Congress the experts made their examinations,
and in December, at the next session, the re.
port was submitted. This report declared it in.
Capitol building, SO as to provide additional
space for the rapid growth of the library with
out seriously interfering with the architectural
proportions thereof and also its conveniences
for legislative purposes. Therefore they recon-
mended the erection OF q separate ediice for
the library.
MR.. MoRRILL'S PLAN.
The joint committee adopted the opinion OF
the experts in good faith, and at once began