Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-16

Unexpected opposition to some of the features
OF plan by which 1t was hoped to provide
Washington with free library was developed
IN the Senate Friday afternoon, and vet
throughout the entire discussion the establish
ment Of such an aid to intelligence was viewed
most favorably. All, or nearly all. the Senators
who participated in the debate were evidently
well disposed toward the measure. and when it
returns from the committee on the library. to
which IL vas referred, the chances are decidedly
bright for decisive action. The most serious
obstacle thrown IN its wsy was placed there by
Senator Allison. who declared that he would
not. under any circumstances. vote for the To-
cation Of the proposed library in the city post
Office building which is now in course Of cree
ton Some Senators might make such a declars-
ton tina, without importing the progress of
. ball. but the statesmen few who will do
other i-e than follow the leadings of the chair
man Of the committee on appropriations. Sena-
tor Allison. proposition that the library should
be In q building Of its own Is attractive.
but he knows that many years would elapse
before Congress would listen without sneers
and Hou:ing impatience to an application for
permission TO erect such structure. Will the
Senator provide for the building he proposes
IN the District appropriation bill now before
his committed Or will he agree to a municipal
building for the District and give a corner in it
10 this library Some place-any place-for
the books i- wanted. and If Mr.. Allison be
grudge- the library a room in the citys eight
story post ofHce building. little more than the
first floor Of winch will be used for local post
ONCE purposes then he ought in fairness
10 suggest some other available place.
Senator Morgan's suggestion TO admit the gen.
eral public to the Congressional Library upon
the same terms Congressman and to keep
the library open until or 10 o'clock every
night and all dsy Sunday would. If adopted.
meet the case Ia an extremely satisfactory
manner. But this course has been in the past
urged repeatedly in vain. and II is feared that
the only effect Of the suggestion in this connec-
ton viii be TO damage the plan proposed by
this ball Of giving the public some access to the
pubiic's books after the popularization Of the
Congressional Library had been abandoned as
hopeless.
Senator Morgan saws that the people Of this
city should not be taxed TO support and operate
q library composed Of books in the purchase of
which thew have had no voice. But Washington
has become accustomed 70 this treatment The
government which without consulting the city
buried At a total loss million dollars of the
money Of citizens in hole in the ground on
the pretext o, increasing the water supply can
hardly feel conscientious scruples about i'm
posing . few hundred dollars Of cost upon
these same unconsulted citizens when the ex-
penditure means the gain by them Of the ines
Unable blessings o. easy and timely access to
much Of the republics literary treasures.
OF course no one can prophecy with any de-
gree Of assurance to the fate of the bill, but
with 90 many friends the chances Are against
il expiring in committee. Senator Mcmillan
and Senator Wolcott are both deeply interested
IN seeing tina, Washington has such a library
~ 10 ought to possess. IL they will apply their
energy success in one form or another would
seem to be reasonably certain.