The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-01
PASSING INTO HISTORY
Old Congressional Library Rooms
losing Their Identity.
worISmen Engaged In Reconstruct
ing Them for Use by House md
Senate Committees-Eariy History
of the Observation-Disclosures Books
Destroyed by the British Army.

While the Senators and Representatives.
are at home or on the stump looking af-
ter their political fences. hundreds of work
men are engaged in making extensive re-
pairs at the Capitol. By the time Con-
gress convenes in December the old Con-
gressional Library will be a thing Of the
past, and the space it occupied for almost
one hundred years will have been converted
into committee rooms for the nations law
makers. The architect of the Capitol has
been given carte blanche in making the
alterations, and the new rooms where the
legislators will consider bills will be fitted
up in a style which will add to the beauty
s OF the great structure on the hill.
The old Congressional Library was one
OF the most interesting Of the institutions
under the control of the National Govern
ment. Its early history has been so
meagrely recorded that the narrative OF
its humble beginning and first struggles is
almost legendary, and tradition figures in
the recital fully as much as accurate in
formation. 1t has also been unlucky the
rayages of war and fire having destroyed
its carefully boarded volumes. 1t is to be
hoped that the impro tements now under
way will break the ilI-omened spell which
has hung over it for so long, and that in
the future it will be visited by no DIS
aster.
That portion of the Capitol which was
known as the old Congressional Library,
consists Of the entire west projection of
the centre Of the old building 1t in
cluded the central connecting hail. 81 1-2
feet long, "a feet wide, and SS feet high.
1t had adjoining rooms on the north and
south, each 90 feet long, 2s 1-2 feet v ide,
and 3S feet high, this being the form in
which it was completed in 1866 after the
fire in 1851
This space is now being cut up into
twenty eight committee rooms, fourteen
for the use of the Senate and fourteen for
the use of the House. 1t is probable that
some of the darker rooms will be utilized
for the storing OF documents and for
similar purposes. These new apartments
will be among the most attractive at the
Capitol, and the Senator or Representa-
tive who secures one for the use Of his
committee will probably be the envy Of
his colleagues. The view from the win
dows over the city is commanding The
rooms are to be fitted up in the most lux
urious style. They will have tiled floors,
over which, in the winter, will be laid
carpets, which will be fastened to strips
OF walnut wood next TO the wainscoting.
The most striking feature of the IN
provements perhaps will be the staircase
leading from the great rotun,la TO the
floors above. II will be constructed Of
Italian marble. highly polished, and in
places ornately carved. There will be
other artistic effects.
On the Eeor above the committee
rooms will be the reference library for
the use of the members Of both houses
of Congress. Since the new Congress
sienal Library was opened the Senator's
and Representatives have cbtainSd
books from that building. The volum s
were brought over as rapidly as pcssi-
bic by means Of the tunnel which con
meets the two buildings. The means CT
transportation, while quite rSpid, did
not Gil the requirements, as tn aTa were
times when a book was needed at once.
This reference library was DESIGNED 10
remedy that defect II will be stored
with such books as are NEST commonly
needed by the lesisltors-law boobs
governmental compilations. reports and
similar publications.
The Improvements during the present
summer have been under the supervision
of Elliot Woods. chief clerk in the office
of tho architect Of the Capitol and he
expects to have the work completed by
December. The bill authorizing the re-
pairs left the question of cost open, and
the appearance Of the Capitol when
Congress again convenes will be sure
to delight the eyes OF the members
The passing Of this old landmark re-
calls the history of the ongressionaI
Library. full of incident and American
perseverance. On April "a. 1900. Con
gress. then in Eassion at PhiladeIphia
passed an appropriation OF 5000 for
the purchase Of such books as may be
necessary for the use of Congress at
said city of Washington, and fer fitting
up suitable apartment for containing
them and placing them therein" 4
joint committee of both houses of Con-
gress was appointed TO select the books
John Randolph Of Roanoke being made
its chairman.
Congress met in Washington for its
first session in October, 1890. The law
makers were SO crowded in the north
wing of the Capitol that nothing was
done toward providing a home for the
infant library. In 1901, urged by Jeffer-
son, who was then President. Congress-