The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-14

in order to See their way In the dark al.
coves They have piled books upon books
In great, dusty heaps. 1t is not surprising
that they are eager to get into the palace
built for their use, where there will be
plenty of light, air and room.
A Veteran Librarian.
Some day the nation will realize how
much it owes to the patience, the skill, the
genius, of this veteran librarian. He has
been the life and soul of the great library
for quarter of a century. The library
has been his hobby, his passion. He knows
literally every book and pamphlet within
Its walls. He gives more suggestions to
students and investigators than any other
librarian ever seen in this country. He
has made the great library what it is, and
the whole country will be rejoiced to SEE
him installed with his literary treasures In
the splendid building now almost ready to
receive them.
Some time ago there was q great ado
about the accounts of Librarian Spofford.
Careless newspaper men even went so far
as TO insinuate that he was defaulter It
was true there was an apparent shortage
In his accounts, but the trouble was Who'll
ly one of bookkeeping, and not of pecula-
ton or irreg ularity. Mr.. Spofford 8 friends
never doubted his rugged honesty, and In
the mind OF the president there was never
a thought OF removing him. The trouble
was wholly one due to the confusion at
tendant upon the copyright business of the
library, which by law is in the librarians
hands, but with no adequate provision for
discharge Of the work.
Balls and Dancing.
If the ball be held In the library, thou
sands of Americans will be given an op-
portunity to see what magnificent struc-
ture congress has provided for the literary
accumulations Of the past 80 years. The
chief trouble with this building for the
purposes Of an inaugural ball Is that the
affair will have to be split up between four
apartments instead of being concentrated
In one great hall, as Is the case at the pen
sion Office. That may destroy TO some ex-
tent the ensemble and mar the picture.
But from every other point Of view 1t will
be an advantage. Inaugural balls, as a
rule, are farcical so far as dancing Is con-
cerned. The crowd is so great that waltz
Ing Is almost impossible. Try as hard as
they may, the floor managers are unable
to Keep sufficient space In which the rev.
elers may enjoy themselves. A ball with
from 10000 to $4,000 persons in attend
ance Is pretty big affair, and vast as is
the great court Of the pension Office &c Ia
not equal to the demands made upon &c.
An inaugural ball, therefore, becomes
much more reception than anything else.
Inc people come to meet the then president
ana his wife, to see and be seen in their
nne clothes, to eat and drink, be merry
ana get their names In the newspapers.
The president and his wife do not dance.
Few people do dance. The reception of
the presidential party IL the principal at
traction. Those who advocate the uss Of
the library building say II offers unequaled
advantages for a reception. There arc
many apartments and halle, each of which
can be SGT apart for q certain purpose.
THOSE rooms devoted 10 dancing can be
kept cleared. There IL ample space for the
supper rooms, and, above all, . grand
golden hall, In which Presidsnt Mckinley
and his party may hold their reception 70
The multitude. :.