Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-12

would be spared for circulating, library, but
there would still be o great many" Mr.. Spot
man has not chosen ere this to have such Q
monument a. the library would be erected to
himself.
Notwithstanding the small amount of time at
his disposal Mr.. Spofford very generously ex-
pressed his willingness to serve with commits
sion TO prepare and revise the catalogue and
aid all in his power in the establishment Of u
public library.
INDoRsINe THE PROJECT.
Those interested in educational matters were
quick to indorse the project Prot. VIM. T.
Harris, the commissioner of education. said: 81
consider public library in a city necessity.
The library ranks next to the school in educa-
tive power. The school, for the most part,
finds its formation in teaching how to read.
The library furnishes what to read. The school
gives the preliminary preparations and the
library gives the means by which the individ-
nal completes and accompanies his education.
What there is in the American school system
points toward the preparation Of the pupil for
independent study. You can always
count OH me to use my efforts to advance any
movement which will bring books within the
reach OF the people generally"
High School, spoke strongly and intelligently
OF the part that the librarian plays as the
natural ally of the teacher. The school
board has taken a lively interest in the move
ment The various school buildings have books
now to the number OF nearly 80 600 in all, but
they are scattered over the city in small collec-
| lions and contain numerous duplicates.
Col! Carroll ID. Wright, who was at the head
OF the department of labor, was already on
record In favor of such a library and heartily
Endorsed the project The workingmen of the
city, who had shown their appreciation Of the
need OF such an institution by the effort to
secure one several years before, were of course
strongly In its favor. On January II the local
Federation OF Labor formally commended and
indorsed the proposal.
Postmaster General wanamaker commended
the idea warmly
Senator Dawes took deep interest in the
proposition, and thought that while it was too
late In the session to do anything in that Con-
gress that there would be no difficulty about
getting the permission Of Congress for the oc-
cupancy Of part Of the new city post Office
building, and declared that he was in favor of
consolidating tho department Libraries and
such books as could be spared from the Con-
gressional Library to furnish foundation for
the new library.
REPRESENTATIVE HEMPHILL's VIEWS
Representative Hemphill proposed in the
House 9 measure for the establishment of the
library. In an interview published in The
STAR he said: ut is only fair that in this CITY.
as in other Cities a free public library, sit
uated In central position and open at reason
able hours, should be established. Especially
should this be done, as with little expense the
nucleus OF such q library can be formed here
In this city. The severaldepartmental Libraries
could furnish o large number of books to such
an institution without in any way Gripping
the usefulness OF the especial library Of refer
ence books needed in each department.. This
plan would work no injustice to the clerks in
the departments. as only few Of the depart
men.s nave libraries OF any extent. With the
system proposed OF allowing clerks to send for
books, much more would be gained by the gov
ment than lost - have found in dis.
cussing the matter with members that there is
very general feeling in favor of the measure.
IN fact, have found no opposition. and only
the lateness OF the season and the increased
difficulty OF obtaining time for the District will
prevent the passage of the bill before adjourn
ment. The establishment of this library is a
matter OF great importance to the District, and
hope sincerely the agitation will be kept up
In favor Of the proposal"
THE BILL INTRODUCED.
In his bill Mr.. Hemphill seeks to present the
easiest and most practical solution Of each
question that may arise in connection with it.
1t opens by providing for the establishment of
q free public and departmental library and
reading room for the use of citizens Of the
District Of Columbia and employees Of the
several departments.
Section provides that the library shall be
located In the new post Office building and
directs the architec: to provide in his plans
and specifications rooms in the second story of
the building suitable for and adapted to thess
purposes. and adequate to the accommodation
Of not less than 81, 900 volumes.
The circulating libraries Of the various de.
partments are to be turned over to the free
library, and no other library shall be main
tanned in the Offices except such as NAV be re-
CURED for their especial use. Duplicate COPIES
are to be turned over to the new library by the
Librarian Of Congress. All citizens Of the Dis
trict OF Columbia and all officers, clerks and
other employees of the government on duty in
Washington are to be entitled to its privileges.
II Is to be kept open from q. m. to 8 D. m. each
day, excepting Sundays and holidays
Inc President ID to appoint a librarian at
Sz,oOo per annum, who is to appoint two as
sistant Librarians at 81, 500 per year, two at
$500 per year and janitor at $500 per year.
Hail the expenses Of the library are to be borne
by the United States and half BY the District
OF Columbia, and it is to be the duty of the
commissioners to include these expenses in
their annual estimates submitted to Congress,
FREE LIBRARY PROJECTS IN OTHER CITIES.
The subject of q free library is one that has
been agitating some Of Washington's sister
cities considerably Of late. Men of philan-
thropic dispositions and intellectual attain
ments, men who have made the mental and
physical needs of their fellow men a study.
have In several cases made an effort to have a
portion of their fortunes go to the establishment
OF free library to perpetuate their memories
In the public mind. But in the case OF the
Pepper estate in Philadelphia and the Tilden
estate in New York the heirs have stepped in
with vigorous legal efforts to annul the portion
OF the will that made this generous but wise
provision. The strong cases which the liti-
giants made in both instances show that it is by no
means the best method Of establishing such an
Institution. In the Pepper case the court de-
clded that the money might be used for the
purpose intended by the testator only after
some very close discussion, and in the Tilden
case the library bequest was annulled, and was
carried out in spirit only through the generos-
ity OF Mrs. VIM. A. Hazard, 1ilden's grand
niece, who set aside 81, 000. 900 of her share Of
the estate for the purpose.
Washington is fortunate in having to depend
on no such uncertain processes II the consid-
alton that she can rightfully claim is shown her.
No city in the country is a repository of so
many interesting and valuable books. And vet
no city Of her size provides SO few facilities for
putting reading matter within the reach OF the
general public.
A free library for Washington is a matter
that may reasonably be expected to command
the attention OF the legislators now assembled.
LIVED HAPPILY AFTERWARD.
Romantic Ending of q Very Common and Vul.
gar Deception.
From the Chicago Herald.
about a year ago." says Brooklyn clergy