The record-union., 1896-12-23
THE STATE LIBRARY IN POLITICS.

There are three or four candidates for
the position Of State Librarian, and
more for aught we know. The office or
trust Is not to be filed for a year yet,
but the struggle for it begins now be-
cause of a vicious and altogether repre-
hensible practice that has grown up
with regard to the administration of
library affairs.
This is not a new thing; it has OBJ
tanned for number of years-we do not
undertake to say how long, but pre-
sumably from the outset-which fact,
however. in no wise lessons the vicious
ness of the system. Wrong does not
become right in morals by prescription.
The system is to elect Board Of Trus
tees to manage the State Library, and
this board in turn selects the Librarian,
the houses of the Legislature selecting
the Trustees.
If this State institution is to be gov
erned by Board of Trustees, and the
wisdom of that policy we are not now
taking issue with, it is entirely proper
for the board to select the Librarian.
who is to be subject to its direction.
But when the candidates for the posi-
ton Of Librarian select the Trustees the
very purpose of the law is reversed, and
all the ends Of library government be-
come second to the wishes and schemes
OF the Librarian The Trustees cease to
be Independent guardians of State in
terest In choosing a Librarian, and are
no more than the dummies Of the can
didate who selects them, and secures
their election by the Legislature to fur
tfer his ambition. Yet this Is precisely
the logic OF the system upon which the
State Library Is administered.
Assuredly. 1t needs no argument to
impress the people with the farcical
character of this proceeding, and with
Its unwisdOm, not to say absolute dan
ger. II all the State Commissions of
ministerial and executive character
were chosen according to such sys-
tenn, we would have a large part of the
State Government in the hands of men
looking first to their own interests, and
second after those OF the State.
Here now are three or four groups Of
reputable citizens, and perhaps more,
ment, candidates before the members
Of the Legislature. among whom an ac-
tive canvass in their behalf is in prog
ress, purporting to be desirous of serv-
ing the State for nothing as Library
Trustees. but who. as a matter of fact,
are not seeking the Office, have no spe-
cial ambition to fill it, did not announce
their own candidacy. and probably are
personally Indifferent as to whether
they are elected or not. For behind
each OF these groups is candidate for
the Office of Librarian who selected the
members of the group, put them into
nomination, announced their candidacy,
and openly, and as matter of common
practice, sends along with the an
nouncement the statement that these
men are pledged, If chosen, to elect their
nornanator as State Librarian.
It follows, therefore. that not one Of
these citizens Is running for Trustee,
hut their respective packers, who are
furnishing all the sinews of the cam
paign. are the real parties in interest.
Without intending to reflect upon the
integrity of any of>the citizens who are
permitting their names 10 De thus useo'
we cannot afford to refrain from say
ing that the system to which they lend
themselves Is bad clear through Be-
ra,,~e AZ Ia an ancient one, in no respect