The morning times., 1896-12-20
Clever Scheme to Get Library
Patronage for His Committee.
AN ATTACK ON MIR. SPOFFORD
Mr.. Dockery Punctured the Plan
to Elope With 1877 Appointments
Friend TO Speak for Htm-Dis-
cussion on Other Parts of the Bill.

has been threatening for the week since
tie legislative bill was completed in the
appropriations subcommittee.
There are 1877 places TO fiji and nearly
a quarter of million OF dollars to dis
tribute. 1t was plainly intimated at the
close OF the debate yesterday that the
contest is over patronage, though yelled
under contention that proposed changes
are for the good of the public service.
Mr.. Spofford came in for Il quiet scoring
from Mr.. Qugg and no one took the
trouble to recall, in the librarians de-
Tense, his ready despatch of business, his
wonderful knowledge of books or the fact
that the condition OF the library is due
i'll part al least TO tie neglect Of Congress
The indications are that an effort will be
made by the House at least To get a new
librarian.
The fight over patronage is between the
Appropriation Committee proposition, leav-
ing appointments to a librarian named by
the President and Mr.. Quigg's plan to
put the places and regulations under con-
troll OF the joint Library Committee.
When the legislative appropriation bill
had been read in Committee OF the Whole
a discussion arose. 1t was found that the
usual general reservation OF points of
| order had not been made when the bill
was introduced and no point would hold
against any of its provisions. This ruling
| by Mr.. Hepburn, who was chairman Of
the committee, was sustained by citation
| of two similar rulings by Speaker Reed.
TO BUY NEW BOOKS.
The paragraphs OF the bill which organ
ize the new library force. providing for
| its payment, etc. were then read. When
the item giving 81 900 for the purchase
| OF new books was reached Mr. Parker
| moved an amendment making the amount
| So. 900.
In support OF this he said that while
| the Library OF Congress was to get un-
der the bill $4,000 for the purchase OF
books, with $4,000 added for additions
| to the Supreme Court Library, the great
libraries OF the world receive many times
| that amount.
The motion was defeated without a di.
vision.
Mr.. Dockery offered an amendment TO
the effect that after July, 1897, the
| librarian furnish $50, ZOO bond, With
sureries approved by the Secretary Cf
the Treasury. and each year make re-
! port VI MS u ldiIstNtitHNi tpNNliliB HAoC IlJt
| copyright departments business.
He did not ask to be heard upon the
amendment Gen. Bingham said he was
| in favor of this modification and eX-
planned how the librarian is now under
three different bonds, aggregating $14.
600. In view Of the increased responsibility
$4,000 was not too much.
The amendment was adopted without
opposition.
Mr. Quigg then Offered his substitute for
the paragraphs OF the bill relating to the
library, as printed in the Morning Tiu4s
| exclusively, on December 16, He had the
clerk read only the portions which would
change the committees plan.
These parts provide that the President
shall appoint, upon approval by the Sen
ate, a director OF the library, who shah
have charge under such rules as may be
lawfully established. and shall give S50,-
Ouo bond. He is to have the duties Of
librarian and that office is abolished
POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE
The library committee is to have the
custody OF the new building and make
rules for its occupancy and the display OF
the library collections. 1t is to employ
| and remove all persons except the director
Supt Bernard R. Green, upon satisfactory
proof that he has performed all duties
Of construction, is to be relived OF fur
ther responsibility, and the money re-
naming Of the the appropriation put at
bis disposal, 100000, is made available
for removing the books and furnishing the
new building. The library committee is
, to manage the removal OF the books and
purchase the furniture.
In order that the control OF the library
by the House members may be continuous
the Speaker is authorized to appoint al
the expiration of each Congress three
members TO serve on the joint coIn.nItteC
till the new Congress is organized.
Mr.. Bailey asked if the library employe:
were employees of the House. Mr.. Quigl
thought they We're.
Then" asked Mr.. Bailey, when W,
pass a resolution allowing the employs
of the House an extra months pay doel
the library force also get it,
} This rather staggered Mr.. Quigg for
moment, but he rallied, and said: OF Cours
1 do not mean that they are employees .
the House. but of Congress"
Mr.. Bailey said If they were employees @
Congress he could not see how the librarian
was appointed by the President and him
self appoint his own subordinates.
Mr.. Quigg explained how the Hbrar.
had grown up, the President had been au
thorized to appoint librarian, and ha
, named the clerk of the House.
Mr.. Bailey continued TO talk of Mr.
Quigg's 'employes OF the House"
Not of the House, but OF Congress
: surely" replied Mr.. Quigg quickly
'.The Constitution" said MI. Bailey
; t''recOgniZes no such thing as an office
or employe of Congress, 1t recognizes q
ficers of each house separately"
WHERE HE HEsITATED.
Mr.. Quigg said that he had observed tha
i statesmen of the present day know muc
r more about the Constitution than did th
= trainers of il. He read resolution Of tn
! ! Sixth Congress, creating two offices unde
, Congress and directing the purchase {
books.
Mr.. William A Stone suggested tha
under Mr. Qmgg's substitute the appoin
, ment of the librarian was by the Pres
: dent with the consent of the Senate tt
bill made no approval by the Senate nece
. sary. He wanted to know if Mr. Quig
desired the Senate to have this power owe
the library beyond tn at accorded tt
L House.
Y Mr.. Quigg was not Jealous to reta
! that provision. He went en- to expla
the needs of control by a library comnlittt
and said:
d Now, 1 conceive that that state und,
+ which the condition of the library h;
q become absolutely chaotic, and under whi
IA serious a-abuses have arisen, is Gu
. to the lack Of specific power 10 the .;oir
e committee on library. The librarian /
e forms the committee that he had name