Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-22

-Alfl unanimously. IL Woulo
V'fb be fitting consecra-
A% ton of that ill-fated
building that 1t should
be devoted to the dis
tribution Of knowledge
among men. The effort
toward the end Of the last session OF Congress
by Senator Wolcott to establish q city library
was received with general approval, the only
objection urged against it being TO the PROPOSE
ton to use portion OF the new city post Office
building, now in course Of cree ton, for that
purpose. The chairman Of the committee on
public buildings and grounds objected to yield
ing any portion Of that building for any pur-
pose but that for which it was erected He
stated the committee had fully understood what
vided for them in this building, and expressed
himself as favoring the object Of providing for
a library as proposed but rather than yield any
portion Of that building he would favor the
erection Of library building for the city.
the recent distressing calamity which renders
vacant Ford's Theater makes It very inprob-
able that it will be again used for Offices. The
gloom which surrounds it would be more
effectualiy dispelied by devoting it to such q
beneficent purpose rs public free library. There
is hardly city in this country where the want
Of library is more keenly felt than here at the
Library, with it's large and valuable accumula-
ton Of books, cannot be regarded in any way
as a city library. What it may be in the future
remains to be seen, and some years must eiapse
before its treasures can be spread before the
world. In the meanwhile the Congressional
Library. by the law creating it, cannot DO con-
verted into such library the needs Of the
large reading and studious population Of Wash
ington demand. The debate on Mr. Wolcott's
bill, reported from the library committee, de-
veioped no opposition except as to its location
and occupancy Of any portion Of the new city
post Office. The details only required more
careful study. and as it was near the adjourn
ment it IVES referred back to the committee on
the library for more careful revision Of detail.
We have seen propositions to do this and that
with that building, gloomv enough in the men,
DRY of the country from the events Of the fatal
April night Of 1865. but now darkened by the
recent tragedy. where SO many human lives we're
sacrificed by an economy SO fruitful Of ill.
Its devotion to this cause, none more holy, OF
instruction would, in some measure remove the
unpleasant. memories that now hang around 1t.
There is hardly a city in this country where
there is not public library That need Is pro-
vided for among the very first requirements
of its existence.
Increase OF Libraries.
The increase of libraries Of all kinds has kept
pace with every other advance Of civilization.
The study Of that advanceis an interesting one.
In 1900 careful estimate placed the number Of
volumes in all the public and private collections
at barely $4,000.
In 1850 q report from the board Of education
gave the number Of Libraries in this country as
4, 500, aggregating IS. 100000 volumes. These
libraries embrace those supported by subscrip-
tons. as the mercantile libraries, those by in
dividual endowment, and those depending on
municipal and state support. The ''mother Of
all subscription libraries in North America was
tho dol I'D in
Franklin aided greatly in the establishment OF
this library and says. $50 few were the readers,
he with difficulty procured fifty subscribers,
mostly young tradesmen." New York, Phia-
delphia and Boston have heretofore taken the
lead in the formation and support of libraries,
but the recent endowment of Mr.. Walter l..
Newberry of $500, 900 for the purpose Of found
ing great public library in Chicago, and the
more recent bequest Of Mr.. Crerar Of some
thing over two million Of dollars for like pur-
pose. will equip that western metropolis more
adequately than any city in the Union with
those benefcent institutions.
There universal regret that the decisions
Of the courts deprived the city of New York Of
the benefits it would have derived from the
large bequest Of Gov. Tilden. The sum de-
million. Since the decision Mrs. Hazard, the
daughter of Col. VIM. T. Pelton, and one Of
the heirs Of Gov. Tilden. relinquished to the
executors about s2.OO0.000 to be devoted to
carrying out the provisions of the will as far as
that sum will 60.
Only those who are obliged to use a great
library in the pursuit OF literature o means
Of living can adequately measure its usefulness.
The Astor library, the Leuox library, the Ii
brary OF the Historical Society of New York are
among the most benefcent institutions in that
city.
The city of Washington is greatly favored by
the Congressional Library. Its stores OF learn
ing are accessible, and the vast knowledge OF
books possessed by its accomplished librarian,
Mr.. Spofford, bestowed most cheerfully
upon all who seek ii. The law, however, closes
that repository of learning just at time when
1t would be most available to the thousands
whose hours Of labor deprive them of its bene-
fits. 1t is to be hoped that the idea suggested
| in The EVENING STAR will be pressed upon
Congress, and that the session may not close
without the necessary steps being taken to
secure SO important an institution for our city
The opposition to the Sunday opening Of
libraries and galleries of art failed to move the
late Peter Cooper. who provided in founding
the Cooper Institute, that its library and read
ing rooms should be open on that day, and
have had occasion more than once to visit 1t on
Sunday to consult it's excellent collection and
found 1t crowded with attentive readers. A
like provision should be made in the contem-
plated library here. but, taking the advice OF
the famed Mrs. Glass, first catch your hare. u
Bachelor Philanthropists.
A remarkable coincidence in connection with
the great benefsctions which have been made
in this country and By our countrymen is that
the great philanthropists were bachelors
Commencing with stephen Girard, who was
within my memory about the only millionaire
in the country: Geo. Peabody, Mcdonald, Jas.
Lenox, Samuel J. Tilden. John Crerar. samuel
Wood. JAS Lick, Enoch Pratt Of Baltimore, all
were bachelors. Mr.. Crerar's benefaction to
the city Of Chicago, amounting to o. 500. 900,
gives that city. with the munifcence OF Mr.. New
berry. over s5, 500. 600 for library purposes.
While in Baltimore met one Of the veterans,
happily spared to us, who a boarder at
Barnum's when Mr.. Peabody boarded there,
long before he removed to London. Mr.. Pea
body paid for his room and board at Bsrnum' 8
1856 year, under contract with old Davy Bar
mum, and one Of the conditions Of the contract
was that he was to sit next to Mr.. Barnum at
the head Of the table, fnvorite seat in the days
when the landlord presided and carved. as old
Mr.. Barnum did for years.