Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-11-18

OeinR PROBABLY one acres tcs1e>
That is between three and four acres Of
area enclosed under one roof as home
for books 1t Is q uniform square en-
closing rotunda and four court yards.
Twice the Congressional Library has
been destroyed by fire. The first time
in 1914 when the British burned the
Capitol. That FIRE cost US many vaiua-
BILE historical works and records. and Ia
1s5l-when all the library but 10000
volumes went 10 In smoke, the remain
der was greatly reduced.
The Capitol building library Is now
are-proof, as the new library building
Is also.
Purchasing agents are constantly be-
ing sent abroad TO get duplicate copies
OF the rarest new books. aud many
choice bargains OF rare editions OF old
ones, such as can be occasionally picked
up At sales. Fifteen thousand dollars
year Is appropriated by Congress for
this purpose.
The Smithsonian Library was added
to the National Collection TO make room
for exhibits. some years ago. and for
technical and scientific research Is un-
surpassed by any in this country.
DR.. Joseph Nj. Toner, resident OF
Washington, donated some twenty-seven
thousand volumes TO the library, and as
many more pamphlets on all possible
subjects.
In the new library the north and
south wings, eco feet long, will be
fitted up with the large aud interest,"
ing collection OF engrayings, photo
graphs, helotypes. electrotypes and
other decorative material now packed
away. II will also doubtless 90 Gu
riched by the portrait busts ADD many
portraits of eminent men aud women In
literary and scientific circles. Here
Harriet Beecher Stoves friends can
place her bust portrait, and no nan
can say them nay; and George Elliott
and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Mrs
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, or even
Sappho, the rejected typical woman
for poetry, may be placed by any one
desiring to honor there Representatives
women.
A great library always attracts 10
itself population OF thinkers, students,
writer's and scholars, who delve Ia its
depths and make the voices Of the
past to speak again-perhaps new
truths; or, redress old ones In model
form. There are they bound 10 cali or
yellum who are the true "Immortals,"
they who represent dead issues" bus
who created the public opinions OF me
past, in some Instances causing rep0luA.
tions without drawing q svordFin oth-
ers word battles for freedom, that came
later through baptism Of blodd.
The great library. which " a mere
store house for books, Is typical OF the
mausoleums OF kings, full OF scaled up
treasures OF no value 10 any on9.
The Congressiona al library Is mot free
circulating medium for books. The
public are at liberty to use the books 10
library, but IL the books are token out
a deposit OF five dollars is required.
Members OF Congress (and heir FAINT.
lies on their order,) and about thirty
official members OF the government, are
privileged to take out books Without =
deposit
A portion Of the library why remain
In it's present quarters az thel Capitol,
about seventy thousand books, for
greater convenience. These hTin con-
sst OF sets OF the standard English au-
thors and books OF reference IL will
be some months yet before th9 removal
begins.
The new building ia situated about
two hundred yards from the Capitol,
and II has been q question /of much in
terest to the Librarian ADD architect 70
decide upon the best method for trans
hitting books TO and Efo. The plan bit
upon Is to construef al UNDERGROUND
conduit between the Two buildings, and
pneumatic tubs TO be used for or
derlng the books A clerk will be
stationed at the Capitol at a
covenient place near the center OF the
building. for the equal accommodation
OF the two Houses, who will receive all
orders for books and transmit them 70
the library through the pneumatic tube.
and who will also receive the books
when sent on the carrying machine.
The carrying device 20 be used In the
proposed conduit will also form fea-
ture OF everyday work In the new
library building Itself II will be so
constructed that IT will carry book TO
any desia mated floor or section OF the
structure aud deposit II at the proper
spot, thus saving an immense amount
OF time to both reader and library en-
ploye.
The working and planning for this
new library building has been the big
"bee" In Mr.. AlnsWorth Spoford's
bonnet" for the past twenty years. II
has never stopped buzzIng.
TO say that h0 IL happy when be
looks at this magnificent structure, is
TO put IL very mildly. He may we'll be
proud and exultani, for his name and
fame will be identified with IL forever
His head should have been one OF the
ornaments at the keystones, al least so
thinks one who is always attracted % =
great library. ss the water Il to the
sun; Zoe who never feels she is 10 such
good company, and so much OF II. -
when in the presence OF these great
ones. bound IN leather, cloth or velDm,
who sag their say, and let you reply ~
length, and never talk back, 20 matter
how absurd you may have made your
self. II takes live person 10 call you
fool when he happens TO differ from
you, AUNT EMILY