Smyrna times., 1889-10-09
For The Smyrna Times.
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept.


The might building which is to cost
well nigh 100000 and which will
contain, and be sufficient to accommO-
date the Congressional Library for one
hundred years to come, is at the sec
0nd story. The walls are of a New
Hampshire granite, so like white mar
Bile that it would seem to be that sub-
stance vaguely washed with a lipbt so.
iutlon OF india ink. Librarian Spof-
tOrG Is delighted at the prospect of an
early occupancy, and is especially
| pleased with the idea of having the
inner court walls of glazed white
English tile, from which the light will
be so amply reflected that the titles of
books may be easily read by the libra
rlans even in the more remote hooks
of the library.
1t goes without saying that Mr..
Spottord has high and mighty rever-
ence for the library and he defends in
warmest terms, the mental character
OF lts patrons. First of all, Mr.. Spof-
lord believes that the Congressman is
ABOVE the average man of education in
culture ana intelligence He vindi-
Gates the literary character of the
legislator.
Mr.. SpoffOrd finds that Congressional
reading is of a practical turn. There
Is a large demand for books relating to
economic science, taxation in all forms.
internal revenue and pensions at home
and abroad. Public sentiment NAV he
sensibly traced in the tenor of this
reading. Just now the amount of
reading on tariff is greatly reduced.
The American people read compare
lively large amount of history and
the historical division of the Congress
sional Library is a we'll worked mine
OF information. Outside of pure poll
tics, science most interests the states
men. Some study electricity, while
others find hobbies in worlds fairs and
international exhibitions. The search
Is for precedents as to expenditure.
receipts, area Of ground needed and
effect on commerce and manufactur-
ing. Another class of Congressman
apply themselves to international law
and their study never ends.
Very few congressman read polite
literature. Most of the novels and
miscellaneous works taken from the
Library are drawn for the families of
these members. When YOU see the
latest novel of some giddy gusher you
can wager 1t Is not drawn for the Con-
gressman's undivided benefit.
The magnificent effort being made
by Chicago to secure the Worlds Fair
OF 1892 for that city, together with the
generous offers Of st. Louis and the
vague demands of New York, have
wakened the people Of Washington to
renewed energy in urging the claims
OF Washington to the celebration. The
necessity of having the celebration of a
national character is paramount. The
people of the other Americas visiting
tins country during the exposition can
best understand our institutions bv
seeing the fair at the centre of the gov
eminent. 1t is essentially the proper
location II money can be secured. and |
Congress can be made to appropriate
the necessary amount, and it is likely |
that after the big cities have spent !
their energy Washington will step in
the victor. All the rival cities look !
upon the worlds fair as a business
speculation. Every wholesale mer- |
chant in Chicago is urged to subscribe |
heavily on the ground that the coun. |
try merchants from all over the West |
will visit Chicago during the exposi- |
tlon and buy their stocks there. That |
IS 1t, the matter is put entirely on a |
business basis. How markets like |
Minneapolis, Nj st. Paul and Kansas City !
will relish the idea of losing half their |
trade for season is not hard to guess.
BY the time choice must be made |
Chicago will hardly be so far in ad.
vance as at present. In fact the solid.
business men and politi.
clans of the day, throwing personal in
terest aside, are favorable to Washing
toms clam.
The letter written by Commissioner
Tanner to private Dalzell eTectuallv
dispenses of the doughty Corporal. His
reflections upon the administration are
of sucn character as to antagonize
the President, and l doubt if Mr.. Tan
ner will ever obtain another good posi-
ton. The writing of the letter was in
itself blunder, writing it to such a
man as Private DalZell was a crime.
Dalzell is well known to every prom
lnent ex-sOldier as a blatherskite of the
cheapest class. For years he has itched
for sensationalism. Last spring he
found temporary nOtOriety by pub
fishing letter "to the American sol
der in which he informed the sol
diers that he was entitled to certain
bounty to which the law
gave him no color of right.