River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-04-22

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 80
years.
Heretofore the library had been for
the exclusive use of senators 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, 25. 900
maps and 10000 engravings. photo
graphs, Autographs, etchings, photo
gravures and pictorial illustrations in
general. BY this IL will be seen that
the library has outgrown its accommo-
dations, for its room at the capitol
only gives shelf space for $4,000. Be
cause of the marN elous growth and de-
velopment of the library. Librarian
Spofford. in 1872. recognized the neces-
sty for the rental. purchase or cree
tion of a new building. He was dill
gently engaged for IA years in the
effort before a 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 in
limited space; il stands preeminent
over all public buildings, and is. with
out doubt or qualifica ton. the greatest
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 to
be made by wagons and not bv the
small underground tunnel. as is cur
rcntlv believed. Shelves in the new
library are now being correctly num-
bered IN accordance with those in the
capitol room, so as TO prevent confu-
sion.
The present librarian has been in
charge of this great collection of liter
airy treasure for 80 years. Under the
eyes of Ainsworth U. Spofford the IL
brary has grown from infancy to vigor-
Gus ,irility Mr.. Spofford was appoint
~
held his position without interruption
or political Intervention from that date
until the present.
The new congressional library build
ing, which is now being celebrated
both in song and story, is the result
of the continuous and persistent eff
forts on the part of Mr.. Spofford to in
duce congress to make proper provision
for the rapidly -accumulating wealth of
learning.
Col. John J.. Smithnleyer, of Austrian
birth, came to this country in 1s47, a
well-eouipped civil engineer, with con-
siderable learning ia architecture. To
him was committed the task If prepar-
ing plans for the new library building
which was authorized by congress. He
did the work with exceptional skill, and
everybody who has seen the work de-
clares that the library is the most beau
tiful building on earth, not excepting
Tai Mahal, the famous building of
beauty on the uppe Gauges. in India.
Col. Smithmeyer never received pay
from the government for his work.
and now has a claim pending before
congress for compensation for his in
tcllectual labor. His claim will prob
ably be like all other claims of that char
acter. The government is not honest.
IL is not likely that Col. Smithmeyer
will ever receive the compensation due
him for his magnificent work
SMITH ID. FRY.