The advocate., 1891-02-18

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departments of the library, in such
proportions for each department o.
may seem 10 the directors 10 be iol
the best interests Of the library"
Section 20 repeals Che general
statutes of 1889; sections 5897 10 Goal
inclusive and sections 5955 10 1857 In
elusive being chapter twelve of the
session laws Of 1870, chapter l48 Of
1891; chapter 1876 Of 1873 and chapter
1877 OF the laws OF 1879,
Section q provides the act shall
take effect after It's publication in the
statute books.
In presenting the foregoing brief
outline of the work sought 10 be 40.
complished by a body Of men, repre-
senting a thirty-third part Of the
whole law making power OF the state,
none whatever Of the popular
branch of the Legislature, and
but one-eighth part Of the SenGtei
neither one Of the FIVE would have
hardly been chosen in 1S9O) il seems
at least sudacious to thrust upon the
large plebeianistiC element Of this fair
state, this deliberate effort 10 virtually
destroy the society 30 most highly
priced by those whose homes are in
Kansas, who are either native OF
adopted citizens thereof. This is moi
much of anything else than what
would be liable TO be Classed under
the head OF hasty, unwisO Legislation,
with no sort Of an sppreCiable esti-
mate Of what great present and pros
peCtive value this society, cherished by
It's ardent lovers, possesses, the while
growing in favor among those whose
attention might not have been called
to its lasting blessings.
In speaking Of the character of the
library, the secretary thus remarks:
The purchase OF books has been mainly con-
0ned 10 books m)re or less pertaining 10 Kansas
Gifts and exchanges have been more mlSCel
laneOus AS formerly, they have been largely
the publications OF the educational scientific
social charitable and economic departments o.
other states aud OF the United States govern
ment; and OF the publications Of che voluntary
societies OF this and foreign countries. These gC
TO enrich our library In those departments which,
30 much al Che presenttlme engage the attention
Of students and writer's seeking full and exact
information as TO the social and oCOnOmlc prob
lens Of the day. Our library IL constantly con
suited by such inqulrers, not merely OF the local.
ty Of Topeka, but from oil parts Of the state.
While OUr'accessIOns have been largely such 81
pertain % the history and progress OF the state
and country In the more remote past, they
have been complete In the collection of the mate
rlals Of the history OF Kansas for the period Oi
two years covered by this report. u is the work
Of saving the materials OF the history and that Of
the intellectual and moral lie OF the present
that historical society in tho final suminguT
has been found TO have been most useful, The
books and pamphlets issued from the press Of
Kansas have been more numerous during che
past two years than I'm any other IKE period
These have all been gathered into our library
They embrace wide range Of subjects, hiStOTi'
cal, social, political, scientific, and literary.
The addition TO the number OF volumes OF our
newspapers and periodicals continues 10 be q
marked feature In the growth Of our library
Experience brings constant proof OF the great
value OF this department, We have now iO,O5C
volumes Of this class OF these, nearly 5000
volumes are Of Kansas newspapers. These rep