Evening star., 1896-12-08
Objection to the Buildings Uss for an
Inaugural Ball.
THE JOINT ! COMMITTEE OPPOSED
Librarian Spofford Gives His Views
at Some Length.
MR.. CUMMINGS AGAINST 1T

both sides of the Capitol to the proposition
for the holding of the inaugural ball in the
new library building. Democratic Senators
and members have largely felt that this
was matter to be dealt with by the re-
publicans. and while, as rule, they feel
that the holding of the inaugural ball in
the new building would be a piece of un-
pardonable vandalism, they are not in
clined to press their views. because of the
criticism that might follow such action.
While they opposed the election of Mr.. Nc
Kinley. they are not inclined to do any
thing that could be construed as antagon-
istic to any plan toward making the cere-
monies Of his Inauguration as grand as
possible.
For this reason the outspoken opposition
to the plan for holding the ball in the
library building is being developed on the
republican side The Joint committee on
the library, well the committee on
additional accommoda atoms for the Library
of Congress. are almost to man opposed
to the project.
was expected to have introduced resolu-
ton in the Senate this morning which
would indirectly prevent the use OF the
building for the inaugural ball. This reso-
luton was to provide that no use be made
of the library building beyond the purposes
for which it was created. except by special
act OF Congress.
No one would authorize the use Of the
building for inaugural purposes without
authority from the joint committee on the
library, and even this committee, 1t Is be-
Heyed. would not assume such responsible
ty without authority from Congress. Since
the subject has been agitated. there Is no
l;ke hood that the library building will be
invaded for the purposes OF assembling
great mass Of people. the result of which
could not be other than injury to the beau
ia TO VI h.
in day or two at least resolution will be
introduced In the Senate or House forbid
ding such use Of the new building.
Representative CumminHs' Objections
Representative Amos Cummings is strong
ly opposed to the use of the Congressional
library building for the inaugural ball. and
So stated in an interview with a Star re-
porter this afternoon. "One reason for my
opposition is this." said Mr.. Cummings.
THE Congressional Library is a public
building that comes directly under the con-
troll of Congress. The use of the Capitol
has always been refused for lectures
anything whatever Of public nature. This
building is practically part of the Capitol.
and the same rule that applies to the Capt.
tol should apply to that So far regards
its interior it is the finest public building
or the continent, and an inaugural ball
cannot be held in 1t without endangerinG
| its columns and its adornments. The deli
cately carved marble pillars can be easily
broken. The removal of the desks in the
main reading room cannot be made with
out marrirg the room. The center of the
rccm is raised foot or more above the
main floor. This cannot be leveled. and TO-.
all practical purposes this would destroy It
as dancing room. / am opposed to the
use Of the library building for balls OF any
| kind. The building will he completed about
the last Of February. and the work of re-
moving the books from the present library
| to tie new BUILDING will then he in pro-
gress. 1t would take a month or more to
accomplish this work. and the library
| building will have to be practically closed
until the work Is done. If there Is an ex-
ira session the work must be done as soon
as possible, without regard to inaugural
balls. which are after all, virtually private
Enterprises"
What Mr.. Spofford Says.
Mr.. Spofrord, librarian of Congress. said:
1.-The opposition to the use Of the new Il
brary building for such great public rout
as experience shows every inaugural ball
to be, Is manifest. Those who favor this
project of opening the library building to
such a gathering on the evening nj the
| 4th of next March do not appear to have
considered these objections. The entire
plan and arrangement of that noble edifice
contemplate almost commodious accom-
mediation for vast congrega tion of books
and not of people. The fixtures In the CEN
| trail rotunda or reading room. which, by
| the way. Is only of the size of the ro.unda
In the Capitol, seem to render that CEN
| trail apartment out of the question as a
| hall for dancing. While the 249 desks al
ready fastened to the floor by iron sup
ports, might be removed at some cost, the
central elevation, or catalogue desk are
fixtures, and could not be removed under
any circumstances.
They constitute a permanent obstruction
| to any such use of the room as hall Of as
semoty as could be made of the rotunda in
| the Capitol or of the quadrangle in the pen
| sion office building. There remain for pur-
poses of assembly rooms and dancing ac-
| commOdations only long apartments of very
| narrow width. the widest being only thirty
| five feet in width by go feet in length How
| imperfectly such fixed and contracted
spaces are adapted to the circulation of a
great throng of dancers can be best ap-
preciated by those who have had expert
ence as floor managers under such cfrcum-
stances
More Serious Obstacles.
But more serious obstacles seem to rem
der the propriety of devoting the library
building to the purposes suggested at the
very least doubtful. There are innumera-
| BILE delicate sculptures Of ornamental char
acter of leaves, flowers. cornucopias and
other decorative features. all within the
| reach of everybody on the ground stair
cases, and in many other parts of the
| building.
mo one who has witnessed the vandalism
which has defaced and despoiled the finest
apartments in the Executive Mansion and
other public buildings in Washington can
1ah 10 see that nothing could preserve
these delicate sculptures from defacemen:
and their fines. features from being carried
away rellLs souvenirs, except an ex-
traordiliary force of policemen 20 watch
every foot Of sp ice exposed.
"Of course much might be said of the
eclat which SO beautiful building in its
interior appointments and decorations
| both sculpturaf and pictorial. lend to the
spectacle of an inaugural ball. But would
it be wise to submit to irreparable injury
the ornamental features so completely ex-
posed to DETACHMENT when there exist ac-
commodations far more spacious in an
other public building? I understand that
the capacity of the pension Office central
hall is something like five times, at least in
width, the largest hall in the library build
ing. Also that ample aecommoda tions in