Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-02-06

ment now crowded for room can then
be well arranged and complete, with
ample room for the many who come
from all over the state to use it. Its
historical department., now divided be-
tween the state library proper and the
library of the historical department,
Will sbe united and thereby immeasur-
ably strengthened. 1t means that with
the present curator, relieved of the
care of the historical library, a great
museum of history can be developed
from these small beginnings a museum
which will be of invaluable interest
and information to future generations.
1t means that the present state libra
rian, Mr.. Brigham, will in due time
relieve me of the cares that hinder
the completion of work in which
4 am most deeply interested, aud will
he given a position commensurate with
the large and valuable experience
which he will bring to his new duties.
1t means that Iowa is about to take
her place beside Wisconsin in library
and historical collections. The COM
parison Mr.. Brigham makes in his ar
ticle in the January Forum, between
the good beginning Iowa has made and
the splendid work Wisconsin has all
ready done in the matter of historical
collections is full of suggestions which
will not be lost on the members of
the twenty-eighth general assembly,
Thus in few words did Iowa's great
historical collector outline the future
of the work to which he has given the
best years of his long and useful life.
These words are replete with sugges-
tons. They take on additional weight
from the known fact that Mr.. Aldrich
is not planning for his own personal
glory and advancement, but simply
for the Strengthening and developing
of his own special work for the state,
after he shall have been relieved of the
larger burden of care which the con-
solidation will impose. 1t points the
way, also, to the succession, after he
shall have passed away.an event which
we hope may be long delayed.
State Librarian Brigham's intimate
knowledge of the work of the historI-
cal collection is seen on every page OF
his article in the Forum. His love and
knowledge of books began early in
life, and his interest in literature, and
especially in history, has developed
into life. work.
The state is fortunate in having al
ready in it's service man of mature
judgment, whose enthusiasts all tend
in the direction toward which this
plan of consolidation tends. And
more fortunate still, Mr.. Aldrich and
Mr.. Brigham are fast friends and
have been for years, and looking the
whole state over Mr.. Aldrich has found
no one so well fitted as the present
state librarian, to take up his work,
or SO much of it as he may choose to
lay down.
Let us have great state and histo>
rical library worthy of a great state,
aud having such men as Aldrich and
Brigham willing to give their whole
time and their trained enthusiasm to
the worll'of building such a library for
all coming time, let us not be Mig
gardly in doing out salaries to them.
Here, with our consolidated library
and historical department is good
place to begin a more liberal, far-see-
ing and far-reaching policy, one which
will enable the state to draw to her.
self her ablest and best men in the
several departments Of her service.