New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-06
THE CONGRESSIONAL library

II was supposed when the bill providing
for the erection of a separate building for the
library of Congress passed that body, that one
of our minor National scandals was at an end.
Congress had been implOred for many years
TO provide proper accommodations for this
great collection Of books, and its action was
hailed with JOY by all persons interested in the
subject. But the trouble seems only to have
begun after all. The omithmeyer plan was
adopted evidently under the impression that
the building could be completed for $1,000
coo. AT least this was the total Of the sums
mentioned as necessary to be expended and it
was even said that this would furnish the
shelving for 3 600 600 volumes These state
ments were reiterated frequently in the de-
bates, but no one seems to have discovered the
misappTehension under which Congress was
laboring. The building was to be 4G3 feet
long by 1872 wide, and it never seems to have
occurred TO any one to suggest that structure
much larger than the State. War and Navy
Building could not be put up for less than one
third Of the cost Of that pile. The Commission
in whose charge the work was placed, consist
ing Of the Secretary of the Interior, the Lii
Capitol, proceeded to make excavation for the
entire building. and Congress now discovers,
to its diSmay. that it cannot be built for less
than 81 100000, and that it will probably
cost considerably more.
There seems to have been laundering on all
sides. Undoubtedly the committees which
promised Congress that the cost should not ex-
ceed $1,000 900, meant the cost Of so much of
the building as it should be necessary to erect
at this time for the accommodation Of the IL
brary. building capable of permanently
housing 100000 volumes ought to be sufli-
cent for the use Of the library for many years
to come, if not for half a century. The largest
library in the world, the National Library in
Paris, contains not much more than 1000, 600
volumes, while the Congressional Library has
now but about 100000 volumes. Such a
building ought to be so constructed, as mat
ter Of course, that while it shall be complete
and convenient in itself, as well as architect
urally beautiful 1T shall be possible TO enlarge
it from time to time in the future to meet the
needs Of the library, which grows with great
rapidity. 1t should not be for a generation,
but for ell time. But, on the other hand there
- III obvious tAtIdN dSdDtc III constructing III
the present time building far beyond the
needs of the library many years hence and it
is difficult to comprehend why an enormous
sum Of money should have been expended in
digging great hole in the ground for the en-
tire building when no one, apparently, has
seriously proposed that more than part Of it
shall be used at present.
Many members Of the House blame Mr..
Smithmeyer because they allege that he was
in frequent consultation with members while
the original bill was under discussion, and
permitted the general misapprehension to con
unue and they manifested a disposition TO hold
him responsible. although technically all ex-
ecutive authority resides in the Commission.
This Commission both houses are ready to
abolish, but they disagree as to the steps that
shall follow. The House provision in the Sun