The times., 1897-07-09
PIANOS AND ORGANS.

The Sad History of the Library.
Washington, July Ca strange fatality
has attended the progress ri the new LII
nrarv OF Congress from start TO finish, as
regards rher persons most prominent in push
ing il forward. The idea of a separate
home Cor tPe Library. and of the rate Of
growth OF the collection which made it
necessary, was iirst pat into print by Mr.
sraffora. the veteran llHrar an. Earl and
late be Iabored TO arouse, by official re-
ports puliic addresses, and data furnished
10 mernbers of both houses OF Congress for
speechmaIang purposes, puile sentiment
which 1srouId respond promptly 70 the rec
essary Legislation when put upon it's pas
sage.
In Congress he was strongly Lacked bT
the two Committees on Library and the
successful legislation was procured largely
through the Instrumental ty % tfeiE MEM
beTs that DAY
The promoter who worked hardest on
the scheme from its architectural side was
John L Smithmeyer. He had large
acquaintance among Senators and Repre-
seRtatives, and he let almost all bis
other professional work go in order to de-
vote his attention, night and day, TO urg-
ing the need OF a new library building,
and explaining the merits OF the plans
he ana Eis partner had prepared for it.
When these plans, with Some mGdifica-
tions, were adopted. he was put in Charge
OF their execution. But il WAS not long
before be came into collision with con-
tractor with "Puil, and was dismissed.
His partner, Louis Pelz, succeeded 20 his
place as architect of the building. Mean
while, Gen Thomas L. Casey, chief of
engineers OF the Army, had assumed gen
eraT control as superintendent of construe-
ton, Casey had other views from Pelz
In suntiry particulars, and, on the pretexJ
1hat the strictly architectural work on
the building had been done, called for
his resignation while everything was still
in the raw. Before the finishing touches
had been put upon the interior Gen Casey
himself died.
TaaS t-e ee DOT oae % the SIX nseflh'.iss o T
ti'e orfniitioe faviaG ofaipe o. ne lesislas
tion and oversight Of tie work
at the eatset stiii in his rlaoe. rwe II tErnt
are dead and thee have passed wi,oly ou1
Of public view Both arehiueets wlatilslsaanRf.
and s1FeriRtendedthe building OF r.. etiifice
were elbewcd 0pl af place ie5osa :beir wnTf
was complete. The rnGiaser who had
charge of everything is dead. And last
of all cofaes the annoanceEiept glaai IRE
venerable ,aan whose brain aSfsSRceivsd
the idea and who neither sste Rer sIepr
when anything could he core Ia promote
it's fulfnIln4ent, has escaped death ar dis-
.nisssaI 10 le leseiNesi foi Ii stt ali ljs. ewn.
For Ire win soon rass fioni Tic old litlary
where be ~ for so nraaY rrP7s fcen chief
70 the new ulIl "a rounJ out his cs,e ear q q a
suboTdl-tate.
Taking into account tie victories Of con-
tractors VITO are stTnBeeTfbhn tff sen ~.i
90 watch them, oGaTTeIs bet xeen the pur-
veyors of plstts a. sCience sac oiEaH5enael
art' and tie latest revival OF TIE efosies of
the spoiis era, the history cf tie ten yea ~
which have been spent in bufidfng the new
Literary Of Congress furnishes ret a isrrle
fo.ld frr 'nflcrfsr,n- s.ver' :. 7l
who are not superstftiucs-Ne York Post.