The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-01

act, was "a sum not to exceed 50 per
diem for every day of necessary attend
ance'
This bill. which was drawn UP by John
Randolph. was approved by Jefferson on
the 18th of January. 1902, and three days
afterward he appointed as Librarian his
friend John Beckley. a Virginian, and the
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
The first catalogue of the Library Of
Congress was promptly issued by the new
ly appointed Librarian in April, 1902, from
the press of William Duane. 1t embraced
the titles of 212 falios, 1874 quartos 5Sl
octavos. duodeciinos and 8 maps, and con-
stituted the only library of reference of
the National Capital. This nucleus was
gradually increased In size by annual pur-
chases made with the small available por-
tion OF the contingent funds of the two
houses OF Congress until 1906, when an
urgent appeal for a larger appropriation
was made by Senator Samuel Latham
Mitchell an accomplished physician of
New York City. Every member" said he
in the conclusion of a report which he
made to the Senate. knows that the en-
quiries OF standing and select commit
tees can not here be aided by large public
libraries. as in New York, Baltimore, and
Philadelphia. Nor has 1t hitherto appeared
that SO much benefit is to be derived
from private collections at the present
scat Of Government as in those large cities.
Every week Of the session causes addition
al regret that the volumes OF literature
and science within The reach Of the Nation
al Legislature are not more rich and COM
plete. The want of geographical illustra-
tons is truly distressing, and the def
cheney of historical and political works
is scarcely less severely felt. There is,
nS I,-;v r.
of parliamentum in doctum in this coun-
try, especially if steps be reasonably taken
to furnish the Library with such materials
as will enable statesmen to be correct il
their investigations, and, by becoming
display Of eruditon and research, give a
higher dignity and a brighter lustre to
truth" The result of this appeal was the
appropriation of $1,000 annually for five
years for the increase of the Library of
Congress.
Many Changes of Location.
The location of the Library in the Capt.
FOL was changed several times-once be-
cause the books were damaged by leaky
roof In the absence of places of fashion
able resort in Washington during the early
days. the Library of Congress became
favorite place of meeting. where students,
politicians, diplomats. claimants. and cor
respondents mingled together ON friendly
terms. while the ladies made 1t the head
quarters Of fashionable society.
Chief Justice Marshall acknowledged in
1912. with many thanks. the privilege of
taking out books from the Library, which
Congress had just then granted 10 the
Justices of the Supreme Court. The emf
nent jurist and statesman appreciated the
boon highly, and always went to the LII
brary in person where he sometimes rum
mayed for hours among the books. One
day. in taking a law book from the upper
shelf of an alcove, he pulled down dozen
ponderous tones. one Of which struck him
on the forehead with such force that he
fell PROSTATE. An assistant librarian, who
FASTENED to the old gentleman's assist
ance. found him slightly stunned by the
fall: but he soon recovered. and declined
to be aided to his feet, saying. with
merry twinkle in his eye. I've laid down
the law out Of the books many time
in my long life. but this is the first time
they have laid me down. l am completely
foored!" And he remained seated upon
the floor. surrounded by the books which
he had pulled down. until he had found
what he sought and made a note Of"
When the British Army entered Wash |
ingtor, after the sktrmish known as the |
"Bladensburg Races" on August "a. 1914, |
they first occupied the Capitol. the two
wings Of what is now the central portion
being only at that time finished. and con-