The Washington times., 1894-08-14
LIBRARY BILL ATTACKED
Representatives IgnOrantly Opposed
the District Measure.
ON THE SCORE OF ECONOMY
They Feared It Would Involve Heavy APP
preparation of Government Money-Mr.
Heard Explained the True Situations
Strong Pleas Made for the Bills Passage.

Tariff business seriously interfered with
District business at the House slated for yes
terday, the result, as usual, being nil.
The first measure brought forward by
Chairman Heard was the bill for circulat-
ing library in the District, and as had been
anticipated, the belief, on which The TINES
tried to enlighten the House, that the bill in
volyed heavy appropriation OF government
money, lead to continued attacks on the
measure, and prevented action until the tariff
matter was brought into the House.
Mr. Heard explained the measure as one
TO provide for circulating library for the
people who are unable to make use of the
Congressional and departmental libraries.
He explained that no money would be needed
for books as a nucleus would be obtained by
taking duplicate copies from the Congres
sional and other Libraries.
Mr.. Kilgore, OF Texas, was the first OBJ
jector. He thought the people could use the
present libraries and that this new library
would crowd the present Post-office building.
Mr.. Heard explained the true situation
to him and also surprised Mr.. kilgore by
stating that the government would eventually
make a saving by the process.
Mr. Hermann, of Oregon, then expressed
fear that the government would be called
upon to buy books. Mr.. Heard explained &c
him that the government would not have to
spend one Tarthing. Between the books
which would be received from the libraries
and those which people would voluntarily
contribute a very fair-siZed library would be
formed.
The next objection came from Mr.. Talbot,
OF South Carolina. He thought tine city
ought to take care Of itself in this respect and
not call upon the government for help. Mr..
Heard had to do some more explaining; thar
the District had to get the consent OF Congress
before it could spend any money, and also
told Mr.. Talbot, that, while States had re-
ceived public lands for school purposes, the
District had never received anything.
Mr. Cannon of Illinois. was willing TO have
space allowed for the new collection in the
Congressional Library building, but as the
object in erecting the new city post-ofiico
building was to relieve the government OF the
necessity of paying large rent, he could not
favor a scheme which looked to taking the
valuable space in the new city post-oitice Mr..
Cannon expressed his willingness TO accept
proposition that circulating library building
should be erected az the joint expense of the
District and the Federal governments.
Mr.. Henderson said he was always ready to
answer the knock of education or labor at the
door of Congress. He quoted Carlisie's re-
mark that there is a maiesty's jail and GAL
lows in every town, and why not majesty's
library?'
Mr. Bartlett, OF New York. opposed the bill
under the impression that it would result
in the taking from the departmental libraries
of their scientific books. He also WAS OPP
posed to the giving away of the duplicate
copies in the Congressional and other librar
les.
Mr. Cannon then said he felt like doing
justice to the District. and was ready to do all
for it he could But wnen he suggested that
any one could use the Congressional Library,
Mr. Henderson, of Iowa. said. Yes. by pro-
ducng S5 bill" Mr.. Cannon then said the
deposit could easily be lessened.
Mr.. Dockery then urged that the District
ought to pay the expenses OF the whole
| library. H. was opposed. he said. to spend
ing one dollar for the purposes proposed by
the bill.
Gen. Grosvenor, of Ohio, made a strong
plea for justice to the District. He thought
Congress altogether too little disposed to do
the right thing in this matter and commented
on the fact that all European cities had their
public libraries.
Mr. Cooper, OF Florida. then closed the
discussion by an urgent appeal for the library.
He thought it better TO make libraries than
to make jails and he urged that the House
accept the bill.
The bringing in of the tariff resolution cut
of further debate.