New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-05

arranged subjectvely by classes and then alpha:
bctcally. whenever practicable, by the names OF
subjects of the memoirs With0u. entering upon the
much controverted merits OF the numerous systems
best system IS that which combines practical utinty
with logical arrangement and which results results In the
most prompt service to the reading puDlic.
The great scientific library of the SMITHSONIAN IN
stution, deposited in the Congressional Library ny
the act OF 1866 bur for which there has been no
allow Of easy investigation can be accom-
modated in the stack-ropm alfeady ,nevsd IN c tne
lection is rich In the serial publications OF sGen,inc
Of which are out Of print and unobtainable. The
Toner collection of books. periodicals ana manu-
scripts presented the Government in 1852 and ac-
cepted by special act OF Congress may be well &C
commodated in one Of the corner pavllions, on ths
in history and biography and having as one OF rs
special features full collection OF literal Transcript
OF all the letters. journals and other Writings OF
liberal ard don9r Mr SRomGpo
dedicated to public use and reference may be
worhy followed by others now that Congress has
In the reorganization OF the great c9iiections now
stored in the Capit9 the werNs o. psarv ar,
quarter OF million OF engravings, photographs,
tra OF every kind. many OF them OF great value
and beauty. acquired without dollar OF expense s Sc
by the Government through the steady operation OF
be ARRANGED in classes, with proper discrimination
ii Of the prorpes Of the arts Of design
one OF the larger galleries in tne building 10
OF this exhibit long buried from view and SO In
teresting art students and the eeneral public
The large and rich collection OF maps, numbering
over .Oco which the library has accumulated, VII
also require Of the large halls in the rev build
MSny Of those are original manuscript maps ana
plans OF the Revolutionary period drawn 3y Br,,i,n
camps marches and bajtlo-felds during that mem
0n4"S - setlemen Of America to the most modern
example. form valuable series Illustrating tne
boundaries and topography Of the country IN every
mart largely
before the Supreme Court OF The ntei states ana
al various periods. Another room will be given 10
the immense accumulation Of music Al compositions
numbering 10000. The department Of bound news
papers believed to DE the largest In any American
library now crowded and MED in the crypts ana
that each paper may be arranged chronologicaliy.
MR. sPoFFORDs DUTIES.
Mr. Spofrord has been a very busy since NJ
has been Librarian OF Congress The two positions
If Librarian OF Congress well as REGISTER o.
Copyrights have entaied immense amount OF
work which no one man. he thinks, could have &c.
number OF his duties he must always be at the dis
Sides exercisng an eye to prevent far possible
hall In excavation OF the difficulty he recently had
in Keeping his accounts Strengthened he says: "Au
this mutifarious labor has been performed by tbs
Librarian lhowever imperfrctly In some portions)
for twenty-five years with a force OF assistants
quite INADEQUATE to the task and IN the midst OF
obs ructions arising from want OF room for its per
Torrance which believed be without parallel
in the business Of the Government Under all the
disadvantages in the way OF prompt and thorough
service that this library has done much for the
informa ton OF Congress and the public and 10 for
ward the interests OF all seeking 10 secure or to
verify copyright records is often remarked
with surprise But there have been times when tho
utterly Insufficient force and the pressure upon tho
Librarian OF official work which could not be post
ponei or neglected have led to arrears in accounts.
which were deeply regretted. He shrlnks from
responsibility in this in any other matter. and
while candidy admitting sense OF humiliation
that any errors should be laid 10 his charge, re
claims with equal candor that while he may have
erred In constituting too literally certain provisions
OF law he is free from any cors ious wrong dong.