Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-03-27
THE NORTHWEST
[From the Ohio State Journal Of March itth.
The State Library and the Ohio His
torical Society.

A bill of no little importance mas Just
been introduced In the General Assem-
bly, by Mr.. ]. ]. McMaken, Of Butler
county, proposing union Of the State
library and State Historical society on
the plan first adopted in Wisconsin and
since adopted in Minnesota aud Kan.
sas. The plan Is most successful and
gratifying, and leads TO the best results
Of any yet devised. 1t simply consoli-
dates both under the management of q
board of trustees composed in part of
State officials and of persons appointed
by the Governor for their fitness fol-
such positions. In Ohio it is proposed
that the Governor, Secretary of State
aud the School Commissioner be ex-
officio members of this board. The Gov
ernOr is to appoint nine additional
members, and is to recognize the socie-
ty In such appointments. Few bills
have been introduced which contain so
wise and beneficent measures. The
Ohio Historical society now numbers
some 450 members among the best citi-
zens of the State. 1t is rapidly gather
ing valuable library and museum. 1t
does not wish to found another library
in Columbus, but to augment the pres
ent State library with its collections
and to assist to build up in Ohio's capi-
tai library OF reference works worthy
the State and her people.
The present State library is such only
in name. 1t was founded in 1918, and
contains about 58, 900 volumes not well
selected and is woefully deficient in
.l,o m nhfA II hos onck tho Sfoto
in round numbers, about Sl65, 900, or
nearly $3 per copy, including. every
thing. WiscOnsin's library was founded
in 1845. In 1858 it was united with the
State Historical society. 1t has libra
ry of some 100000 volumes, the best
selection of books in the West. 1t has
cost the State $102, 900, or less than so
cents per copy. Kansas tried the plan in
1879. and now has q well-selected libra
ry of near 10000 volumes, at a cost OF
some $4,000, or hardly 60 cents per
copy.
Ohio, the richest State in the West,
must not suffer system leading to such
results to continue. The library has
long been a place to reward party SER
vice, hence the librarians change every
few years. There can be no system un-
der sush a plan. The present bill con-
templates not only permanency, but
will secure to the State the influence
and support of the State Historical SD
ciety composed of such men as Mr..
Sherman, Mr.. Thurman, Mr.. Hayes,
Mr.. Foster, Judge Baldwin, Mr..
Sessions, Mr.. Clarke, Mr.. Cutler,
Major Dawes and hundreds of others
whose names are sufficient index of its
character, aims and work. 81
The same measure passed a Republi-
can Senate by decided majority at
the last session; too late, however for
presentation in the House. Governor
Campbell gave it a warm recommenda-
tion In his message, and now the best
men In the State, irrespective of party
ties, unite in the hope to see it passed,
and the initial step taken to secure in
Ohio library and museum of which
her people can be proud, and in which
can be consulted every work in our
eountry's history, progress, institutions
and policy. We want in our State a
library and museum that will be to.
Ohio what the British museum is to
England. Under the plan proposed
they can be secured.