New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG AND HIS WORK
AS LIBRARIAN

wAsu1sGroN.s LACK OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
THE NEW VERMONT SENATOR, MR. ROSS
ADMIRAL KIRKIAND's GRUFFNEss
Washington. Jan. 21-ID the death OF John
Russell Young the Government loses conscleh-
tious and painstaking official. When Mr. Young
was named as Librarian his appointment was
widely criticised because he had had no expert
ence in library work He had something better.
however-loye OF books and OF literature. knOwl-
edge Of their use and ambition for the future or
the Library, his conduct OF which has confirmed
the Presidents wise judgment in selecting him.
With characteristic thOroughness he mastered
the knowledge necessary to the proper admins
tration Of his office. and I'm this connection stud
fed the history and present condition Of all the
noted libraries His ambition for the Library OF
Congress was almost without limit He was anx-
ious that 1t should be the leading library of the
world, and spared no pains to make it so. In
choosing his assistants Mr.. Young showed won
derful knowledge OF character. and in few Gov
eminent offices is there so much esprit de corps
as among the staff Of the National Library Mr..
Young was much liked by his subordnates, and
It will be long before his place in their hearts
can be filled.
The philosophical people of Washington
rejoicing at Mr.. Andrew Carnegie's offer 10 give
the sum Of $2j0000 for the erection here of a
public library. Washington is probably the only
city in the United States Of its size which pos
sesses no adequate public library. and this is
said with the knowledge OF the benefit the
Library Of Congress is to the reading public and
TO students. But, unhappily, no books can be
taken away from the Congressional Library, and
thousands of people whose habits of life do not
deprived Of its use.
What Washington needs. more perhaps, than
anything else, is good public library. The only
one il now has Is very small. collected mostly
through the charity Of the citizens. and the de-
mands it far beyond its resources. There
is no doubt that Congress will accept Mr..
Carnegies generous offer. and the only question
seems to be where the library shall be located.
Neutrality-suspicious. are noted for their pickering
sites for their local buildings. The erection
Of the City Postonice was postponed for years
because Of the objection by certain cliques most
OF them with axes to grind, to every Site and
the same story is true Of the Hospital for Con-
tagious Diseases. money for the building OF
which was raised years ago The site proposed
on Pennsylvania-aye and Seyenth-st., not far
distant from the new postofice is already at the
disposal Of the city authorities. and there are no
serious objections to it. 1t is central and acces-
sible. and those who oppose It's selection are ac-
tuated by entirely commercial reasons in doing
30. Mr.. Trentonove, the sculptor, who Is noted
for his public spirit. has offered to execute and
present n bust of Mr.. Carnegie. OF heroic size 10
the new public library.
George Clark. counsellor Of the Canadian Pa
cifc Railroad, was In town last week. He Is q
NaI
shown in his rugged features and does not look
his seventy years. The scenery over his railroad
the Canadian Pacific. Mr.. Clark says Is more
beautiful than any In Europe and even the
famous mountains Of Switzerland are dwarfed
in his opinion. by the magnificent mountains Of
the North Canadian country. Some time ago"
said Mr.. Clark, Il riding with an engineer
from the old country over our road. He was
speeches. in wondernent at the magnificent
scenery through which we were passing. but
even more delighted with the wonderful feats Of
engineering that he saw.
That's it; that's it, he said, gcefully. as we
crossed bridge which spanned very deep
canyon; I like TO get hold Of Nature occasionally
and give her Il twst-a twist you know"
The new Senator from Vermont is n typical
citizen Of the Green Mountain State. tall and
straight and stalwart, his long beard reaching
almost to his waist. 1t is said of him that he
possesses many Of the attributes characteristic
of his lamented predecessor. lie impresses one
certainly as having great reserve power and
force of character 1t is said of Vermonters that
while they have vigorous and strong opinions on |
nearly all subjects they never try to force these
opinions upon other people. but allow them TO
think for themselves. This was emnenty true
OF Senator Morrill,. and it is said to be equally /
true OF Senator Ross, whose first appearance in |
public was made at Mr. Dingley's funeral on
Monday.