Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-04-29

has come to be one of the best
equipped law libraries in the country.
The regular library again received an
appropriation in 1892 of $1,000. for fur
niture and repairs.
In 1S4S the new library received a
bonus of $2.412 for its enlargement; and
in 1880 the usual appropriation of ST 900
for the same was increased to Sc, 900 by
act of congress.
BY 1881 the library of congress had
become the pride of the nation, having
increased to $1,000 volumes; but again
sustained check by the fire of Decem
Der "a of that year. when $4,000 volumes
were destroyed.
Congress Immediately made an appro-
p1iation of $4,000 to replace this loss,
and again. in 1852. another appropria-
ton of S72.O 900 for the repairs of the IL
brary room, and $4,000 for the pur-
chase of books to make good the loss of
those destroyed by the fire.
John j. Stephenson was appointed
librarian of congress in 1851 by AGRA
ham Lincoln. He only remained in
office three years, when, upon his resig-
nation, A. r. Spofford. the present in
cumbent, was appointed.
1t is needless to recite the various
acts of congress whereby additions IF
books have been made to the library:
the most nota BILE one being the Smith
sonian collection (then mum bering
1000 volumes, but now 100000. or al
most one-half of the stock of the whole
national library), whereby the most
valuable collection of scientific books
extant has been added to the national
library; for, by the Smithsonian sys-
tenn of exchange, whereby copies of
their publications are exchanged with
Jackson appointed John S. Meehan, of
Washington. librarian of congress. He
continued in office until the accession
of Lincoln. and died at the advanced age
of ~. having continued in office 81
years.
Heretofore the library had been fo1
the exclusive use of senator's and repre-
every scientific society on the face of
the globe. they have obtained practical
| ly complete library of all scientific
works.
The library at this date contains up
wards of $4,000 books. 100000 pam
phlets, 100000 sheets of music. $4,000
maps and $4,000 engravings. photo
graphs. Autographs. etchings, photo
gravures and pictorial illustrations in
general. BY this it will be seen that
the library has outgrown it's accommo-
dations. for its room at the capitol
only gives shelf space for 100000. Be
cause of the marvellous growth and de-
velopment of the library, Librarian
Spofford. in 1872, recognized the neces'
sity for the rental, purchase or cree
ton of a new building. He was dill
gently engaged for IA years in the
effort before decisive act of congress:
permitted the corner stone of the pres
ent beautiful library building to be
laid. A description of this architec
tural conception cannot be given il
limited space; it stands preeminen
over all public buildings, and is. with
out doubt or gualificat ton, the creates
and most beautiful building in the
world.
The work of removing the books from
the present library room in the CAPT
toll will begin shortly. the transfer tt
be made by wagons and not by tn,
small underground tunnel, as is cur
rently believed. Shelves in the new
library are now being correctly mum
bered in accordance with those in tn
capitol room, so as to prevent confu
sion.
The present librarian has been i
charge of this great collection of Liter