Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-04-22

AINSWORTH r. SPOFFORD.
1t is hoped that the narration will at
the same time prove to be somewhat in
tercsting. ..r..r rsn...
The United States is beneficent gov
eminent. particularly SO in the matter
of literature. "The glory ofn 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 Longfel-
low, the quality of whose-AGnrks 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 Philadel-
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
preparation 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 a room assigned
for the purpose in the capitol build
ing at Washington.
The establishment 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
lngton IN 1914 and destroyed the whole.
TO maze good this loss congress in the
year 1915 appropriated $4,000 for the
purchase of the jefferson collection of
6,700 volumes. George Watterson was
appointed librarian al salary of $1,000
and the library again begun.
On the Sd day of December, 1918, con-
SSo iAIo'S al VI pSN'Co
for the purchase of books for the new
library, and from 1920 to 1928 $1,000
were appropriated.
Again, on the Goth day of May, 1924.
congress made similar appropriation
of 5000, and an additional one of $l,546
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
ali duties on such books, maps sand
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 5000
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. as fol-
lows:
On March 3, 1925, $4,000 for the pur-
chase of books and 1925 for coal and
stoves.
On March 2. 1927, $4,000 for books and
$4GO for the employment Of an assist
ant.
On May "a. 1928. 5000 were added for
the purchase of books and the librarian
authorized to employ an assistant AT
salary of $500 per annum.
a resolution passed May "a, 1928. pro-
vided 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
rary, 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 representatives,
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 $4,000, 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 !