Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-14
THE NEW LIBRARY BUILDING.
Mr.. Geo. Ticknor Curtis Sends His Views
to the Senate Committee.

In the Senate to-day Mr.. Sewell, from the lib
rary committee, submitted a letter he had re-
ceived from George Ticknor Curtis, of this city,
and asked that 1t be referred to the committee
on additional accommodation for the library,
which was done.
At the outset Mr.; Curtis expresses his interest
IN the subject OF library building, and he says
II is matter of interest to every citizen. He
says there seems to be an almost unanimous
take steps for the erection Of a suita-
BILE building. He thinks the Presidents
re ON will secure prompt attention
10 the subject. He thinks there need be no OBJ
stacle IN the way of procuring a site, as Con.
gress, by the exercise of the power Of
best He advises Commission MSS 10 pro procure the
site and that 1t be composed OF persons who are
not property owners in the District, and that
come property owners before the expiration OF
a.. certain time after the government
s aas title to the
character of the building and its internal ar
rangements should, he thinks, be vested IN 2
continue until the building is completed and
occupied. This work Of determining the char
acter and arrangement of the building, he
holds, should not be kept in the hands of Con-
gress or any of its committees, as the
membership is constantly changing, and this
work would be one of several years. A perma-
nent commission to have charge OF 10 would be
better. He would not ann to make the new
library distinguished architectural ornament
Oh the Guy. internal arrangements SnouIu not
be sacrificed to external magnificence "In the
library, he says, 1.-The power, dignity
and resources of our government will
be best manifested, SO far they
should be exhibited at all in the complete
ness and adaptation of the internal structure,
and in the number, character and arrange
ment Of the books upon its shelves" He points
out the fact that facilities for ready and accu-
rate research depend upon arrangements that
are largely mechanical. II he had the Treasury
at his command he would build nothing
but brick structure with very thick
walls and the least possible amount
of wood work. Well made brick, he
asserts are far more capable of resisting fire
than granite or marble. The building should
be isolated, and kept SO. He would open COM
petition for the submission of plans to all the
artists Of the world. and would not adopt any
that did not make security against fire and the
internal adaptation to the uses of great library
the paramount considerations. One or more of
the commissioners should be empowered
to visit the principal public libra:
ries OF this country and Europe and
inspect their Internal arrangements with the
view OF providing for the best arrangement
Mr.. Curtis speaks of American literature, its
growth and prospects, and he says
that in the building space should
be provided for accretions from all sources
In the future; that II should be built for poster
lily. Let it be a library worthy of the country
and fitted to receive all the additions which
Congress may provide and individuals may
donate.