Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-06-08

books have been made to the library;
the most notable one being the Smith
sonian collection (then numbering
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
every scientific society on the face of
the globe, they have obtained practical
ly a complete library of all scientific
works.
The library at this date contains up
wards of 755,0oo books, 100000 pam
phlets, 100000 sheets of music, $4,000
maps and 10000 engravings, photo
graphs. autographs, etchings, photo
gravures and pictorial illustrations in
general. BY this it 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 marvellous growth and de-
velopment of the library, Librarian
Spotford, in 1872, recognized the neces-
slty for the rental, purchase or cree
ton of new building. He was dill
gently engaged for II 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 in
limited space; it stands preemineut
over all public buildings, and is, with.
out doubt or qualification, 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 by the
small underground tunnel, as is cur
rently 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
AIRY treasure for 80 years. Under the
eyes of Ainsworth r. Spofford the IL
brary has grown from infancy to vigor-
Gus virility. Mr.. Spotford was appoint
ed by Abraham Lincoln in 1864, and has
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 accumuating wealth of
learning.
Col. John L. Smithmeyer, of Austrian
hirth, came to this country in 1S47,
well-equipped civil engineer, with con-
siderable learning in architecture. To
him was committed the task of 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 beaus
tiful building on earth, not excepting
Tai Mahal, the famous building of
beauty on the upper Ganges, 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
tellectual labor. His claim will prob
ably be like all other claims of that char-
acter. The government is not honest.
1t is not likely that Col Smithmeyer
will ever receive the compensation due
him for his magnificent work
SMITH D. TRY