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


AINSWORTH r. SPOFFORD.
it is hoped that the narration will at
the same time prove to be somewhat in |
teresting.
The United States is a benefcent gov |
eminent. particularly in the matter
of literature. 1.-THE glory of a country |
is it's authors" and, IN the matter of
authors, America bids fair to rival the
world if she continues as she has be-
gun. Irving, Cooper, Bancroft. Pres
colt, Longfellow. Whittier, Bryant, Poe,
Lowell and hosts of others have placed
our literature high in the rank of the
worlds productions. If we have not as
yet produced an author whose works
equal those of Homer. Shakespeare or
Milton, we have at least our Longfei-
low. the quality of whose works will
fall not far behind that of the masters.
In the. year 1900 the United States
government was as yet in its infancy
Congress then convened in PEiladel-
phia, but the corner stone of the new
capitol at Washington had been laid,
the north wing finished; and at its first
session the propriety of holding the
next session there was decided upon
by the members of the Sixth congress
AT this session Professionally APP
propria ticn of $500 was made, which
appropriation was to be used in the
purchase of books to form the nucleus
OF a library at Washington, which
should perhaps one day not only be the
first in our country, but be second TO
none in the world. The collection thus
formed was placed in room assigned
for the purpose in the capitol build
ing at Washington.
The esta blishment of the library was
notably due to Thomas Jefferson; and,
having been so favorably started. con-
gress made appropriations from time
to time for its increase and mainte-
nance until the British entered Wash
ington in 1914 and destroyed the whole.
To make good this loss congress in the
year 1915 appropriated $4,000 for the
purchase of the jefferson collection of
C,7CO volumes. George Wasterson was
appointed librarian at a salary of $1,000
and the library again begun.
On the Sd day of December, 1878. con-
gress made an appropriation of $4,000
for the purchase of books for the new
library, and from 1920 to 1923 $1,000
We're appropriated
Again, on the Goth day of May. 1921.
congress made a similar appropriation
OF p0,UUU. ana an one Oh Pl,0fO
for furniture to be used in the library
room.
On the 18th of February, 1925. con-
gress passed an act directing that the
secretary of the treasury should remit
all duties on such books. maps and
charts las have been during the present
year or may hereafter be imported in
to the United States by the authority
of the joint committee of congress for
the use of the library of congress"
On the 25th of February, 1925. anoth-
er act was passed appropriating $1,000
for books for the congressional library,
and from that time until the fire of 1851
congress made annual appropriations
for the increase of the library, rs fol-
lows:
On March 5. 1925. $4,000 for the pur-
chase of books and $685. for coal and
stoves.
On March .. 1927, $1,000 for books and
$500 for the employment of an assist
ant.
On Nav 81. 1928. $1,000 were added for
the purchase of books and the librarian
authorized to employ an assistant az a
salary of $500 per annum.
a resolution passed May "a, 1928. pro-
yided that duplicates. imperfect. dam
aged or other works not wanted may
be removed from the library"
On the 2Sth of May. 1929. Andrew
sentatives, and few other privileged
characters; but on the 30th day of jan
uary, 1880, congress passed resolution
granting the privileges of the library to
the following officials:
The secretary of state. the secretary
of the treasury. the secretary of war,
the secretary of the navy. the postmas-
ter-general. the secretary of the senate,
the clerk of the house of represen tatives,
the chaplain of congress and any indi-
vidual in the district who may have
been president of the United States.
The usual annual appropriations for
many years after the accession of Jack
son were $1,000, exclusive of expendi-
lures for the law library and contingent
expenses-for law library had grown
In connection with the regular one.
since which time. having received an an
nual appropriation of about $1,000. it