The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-02
JUDGES WANT A CATALOGUE
Appropriation to Arrange the Law
Library Probable.
Big Job and VIII BE Costly, But VIII
Make the Collection More
Valuable.

The joint resolution providing for the
preparation of subject catalogue of the
books OF the Senate law library, it is ex
pected, wiz a once be taken Bpand passed.
1t was stated that Senator Hansbrough,
chairman of the Senate Library Committee,
had been badly deceived as to the amount
of work required. 4 comparison was made
10 shoW that the same work had been done
for The House Library al a cost Of $500.
The fact is that the work whichcOSt $500
ana was done by one man last sunni er, was
merely the arranging of the cards of the
subject catalogue of the House Library
for transmission 10 the Public Printer. The
preparation OF these cards, it is asserted,
required threeneu AT 81 500 a year through
five Congresses, making u total of $4,000
TO $50 GOO.
The Joint resolution providing for the
lawlibraTy atalogueappropriates only such
part OF $50 coo as may be necessary. The
work required TO be done is "a compilation
OF the titles of all the books in the new
library, classified alphabetically by legal
subjects. arranged, indexed, and bound
in sUita ble volumes, As a law subject cata-
logue for the use OF the standing committees
OF the two Houses of Congress, the members
of the two Houses, and the judges of the
supreme court
The number or volumes in the library, ac-
Hansbrough, is zoe. 900. Whether this in
Guides a number OF pamphlets is not known;
but upon The SuppOsitiOn that these are
counted ia that total very large amount
OF work is 10 be done, and tlie suggestion
that it can be paid for with $500 is said
TO be absurd.
In the case OF the House Library re-
ferred to that amount only paid for the
arrangement OF the cards IS copy for
the printer when the House was ready to
have the catalogue printed.
The library for which a key is now
proposed is located in the basement of the
Capitol Immediately urder the Supreme
Court marshafs office. 1t Is really the
library OF the Supreme Court, and is used
by the most prominent attorneys from all
parts OF the Union, as they come here on
business before the court Of final adjCd.-
cation OF all great cases.
The preparation OF the catalogue is to
be under the direction of CHIEF Justice
Fuller. This is said TO be the largest pro-
fessional library in this country, if not in
the world. or the necessity for a cata-
logue, Senator IIansbrough says III his
Committee report:
ITO this large collection there is no index
or other facility for finding just what
frcatiSes or laws there are on any subject,
the very knowi ledge the most important TO
judge aEd lawyer. 1t is one thing o know
thing to know where to find it. The
judges OF the Cnited States Supreme Court
feel the need OF a subject catalogue aud
desire that one be provided. In fact, this
proposition has been called very generally
t6 the attention Of the legal profession,
who, with unanimity, join in urging The
absolute need of the action asked and the
proprety OF this measure.
The Bar Association OF the city Of
New York and the st. Louis Law Library
Association. as well as the managers of
other public and private law libraries, see
the absolute need OF subject catalogues,
and do not hesitate TO provide them. The
State OF New York has provided one at "a
large expense.
Your committee do not deem il neces-
sary to make an elaborate report on this
resolution or TO advance any arguments
- convince this Congress OF the necessity
a1d adyisab bility Of giving 4 subject cata-
Iogue to such a rich storehouse Of legal
lcre as that of the Law Library of the
Uuited States.''
rhis report was adopted without dis
sent. The House takes a similarly favor
aide view OF the matter.