Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-17

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messengers to wait on him, and he could
keep that room as long as he wanted. That
just shows one of the little details of his
management, all tending to make the
library the grand institution which it has
become.
Il regard it as a great misfortune to the
country that he should die before he could
carry out all the plans he had for the
library. Socially he was genial, companion
able, bright and witty. He was prophetic
in political matters, thoroughly acquainted
with the politics of the country, and knew
every great politician Intimately.
Loss TO Public Service.
Representative Dockery, a member of the
appropriations committee, who was thrown
into contact with. Mr. Young frequently,
said of him:
Il only knew Mr. Young in his official
capacity and through his relations as an
official of the government with the appro-
priations committee
He was an honest man, a capable Off
cial. and his death is loss to the public
service q ~
Mr.. spoffdFdsI Tender Reference.
THE sudden dssth of Librarian Young
has come with a shock of surprise and sor-
row to all who knew him. said Mr.. A. r.
SDofford today. 'hThose connected with the
librarys servfce- nave been a year and
half witnesses, of9his great and intelligent
devotion to the interests of the library.
Mr. Young had asvery high ideal of the
scope and this proper aim of the national
library. 1t WAS hisfconstant endeavor with
the aid of experienced assistants, to build
up the collection all directions as a COM
plete library at research.
He devoted much time to careful prepa-
ration while ImproN ing the library service
in its various departments. The annual re-
port of the libd arY just printed win show
in detail the growth of the collection. and
many suggestion for its future expansion
in every Important direction, He originated
through the Department of State cor
respondence with the diplomatic representa-
tives of the United States in foreign coun-
tries which is leading to very considerable
accessions to the treasures of the library.
THE library staff deeply feel his loss
My private grief at this sudden cutting off
of so fine mind and so noble a heart can
not be expressed in words.
After consultation with the President
and the acting chairman of the joint COM
mittee on the library, it has been deter
mined to close the library building during
the funeral ceremony in memory of the
late librarian. The customary business of
the library will go on without interruption
and 1t devolves upon the chief assistant Ii
brarian to perform all the duties as acting
librarian for the time being.
Retards Progress.
The death of Mr.. Young has put the
library back at least ten years." said Mr..
Alvord, chief clerk Of the Congressional
Library, today. He had given the devel-
opment of the library a great deal of study
and had thoroughly mastered the lines on
which it should be developed. After this
close study he began to put his plans into
operation and the Institution was just be-
ginning to feel the steam.
He was not only a writer, a diplomat and
n { .axrar L
but a man of most profound reflective.
powers.
"A great mary of his plans will not be
found on paper nor can they be followed
out from what little he was able to accom-
plish in the short time he held his office.
Il was very often impressed by his grasp
Of the subject, and the sorrow at his loss is
greatly augmented by the regret that he
could not have lived to make the Library
of Congress the colossal institution it would
have been if he could have developed all his
plans
Talk of "a Successor.
Those who speculate upon the question
of who will be the successor of John Rus
sell Young as librarian of Congress quite
generally agree that the chief qualification
of the man to be selected for the place
will be executive ability of a high order
If a librarian of pronounced technical abiI-
ty in the matter of books is selected it
will be desired to have one who has dem
onstated his business qualifications in the
conduct of affairs. and who has considera-
Bile general library knowledge. This matter
was SO fully discussed when Mr. Young
was appointed librarian by the President
that 1t Is by many regarded as settled that
executive ability is the chief requisite 1t
is said that many of the most successful
librarians in the county freely acknowl-
edge that thar sllbordinateS know far more
about the books than they do, and believe
that such an arrangement is the best one
for the success of a great library
The general SDDfrlitn appears To he hat
Mr.. Spofford win not be a candidate for
the libraransfYfp, But will prefer to con-
tinue in the pace-he now holds, which
while paying a slightly less salary is in
many respects more ucongenial to his tastes.
Possible Candidates.
Mr.. Bernard Green, now in charge of the
library building and disbursing officer of
the library, istspoksn of as a possible can
didate for the place, though it is thought
Mr.. Green would prefer another field of
labor He was connected with the con-
struction of the library building from the
laying of the founagion stone, and was the
executive offioHr in that work until the
death of Gen. ICast3y, after which he was
the officer in Charge. He is regarded as a
man of unusual executive ability, although
his experience has not been in the line of
library work.
Mr. Thomas G. Alvord, chief clerk of the
library, and in charge of the art depart-
ment is also spoken of as possible strong
candidate for the place of librarian He
has been connected with the library since
Mr. Young's appointment, and is reputed to
be thoroughly familiar with all details in
the administration of the great institution.
while he understands its needs.
When Mr. Young received his appoint
ment Mr.. Hayes, SON of the ex-PFesident
was prominently spoken of a candidate
for the place, Mr. Hayes was chairman of
the committee in charge of the state library
at Columbus, Ohio, and while not a IL
brarian, was KNOWN to- be very familiar
with library needs. -
Mr.. Porter considered. !
It is understood that Mr.. John Addison
Porter. private secretary to the President,
will be considered by. the President in con-