The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-04
MANAGEMENT OF
STATE Library
Bill to Take Institution
Out Of Politics.
BE OFFERED TO-DAY.
Provisions Of important Measure
Drawn by Mr.. Pattesoil.
INCREASE ITS usefulness.
INCREASE ITS USEFULNESS. Ell
Board of Trustees Elective by Board
OF Education to be it~Control In
stead OF Secretary OF Common
wealth, and Legislative Com
mit,ee-Bona Eide Libra
rian Provided For.

- measure which Is sure to attract
widespread interest will be introduced IN
the House Of Delegates to-day by MI. S.
s. p Patteson, of this city, who has
summed IN the results of a large amount
of research. Investigation and conference
with fellow lawyers in bill designed TO
take the State Library and Librarian out
of politics, and 10 increase the Pracucal
usefulness Of the institution.
The Code of Virginia constitutes the
Secretary of the Commonwealth state
librarian also, and gives that Official dl-
rect supervision and control OF the Libra
ry, responsible 10 a Library committee
of the General Assembly. In actual prac-
ticc. the Library is il charge of a gen
1iemau nominally known as u clerk in the
Office Of the Secretary of the Common
wealth. who has as his assistant u door
keeper. who receives $50 per month Inc
gentleman performing the function OF La
:orarian, who happens TO be Mr.. w w.
Scott, receives, it is stated, Sl,2te per an
mum.
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
Mr.. Pattesons bill, providing for the
management of the State Library, creates
a Board of Trustees. transferring TO them
the powers OF the Secretary OF the Com
nonwealth under chapter Is of the Code
of Virginia CSS7). and repeals section 2el
OF the Code.
E Paragraph 1 of Mr. Patteson's bill
reads:
!, BE it enacted by the General Assem-
bly, of Virginia, that the State Library
shall be under the management and con-
.rol of five trustees, citizens OF this Sta.e.
10 be elected by the Board of Education
during November, nineteen hundred. or
as soon thereafter as possible, Who shall
he known as Board of Trustees OF the
State Library. One of said trustees shall
he elected by said Board for term of
one year. one for two years, one for three
years. one for four years, and one for tive
,ears; the terms for said trustees 10 pc
sin -on January first, nineteen hundred
and one They shall receive no compen-
sation of any kind for their services
THE LIBRARIAN.
The trustees, it is provided,' shall. in
March, 1901, elect a Librarian, who, sub
ject to the orders of said trustees, shall
have charge and management OF the
State Library and the rooms proflded
for it, He shall hold Office for term Of
four years, but shall be removable al any
time for cause by said trustees. He shall
receive a salary of two thousand dollars
per year, payable monthly.
The trustees are empowered to elect a
t.clerk or Assistants Librarian who shall
hold office for one year, and who shal!
be subject to the orders Of the Librarian
and the trustees His compensation is
fixed at $500 per year.
TO BE BONDED OFFICER.
The Librarian l.; required, under the
provisions of the bill, to give bond in the
penalty of $4,000 for proper custody of the
books. maps. documents, etc, OF the LII
brary, and fer the faithful performance
of his duties. He shall accounts Tor and
nav over all moneys which may come
into his hands as Librarian. He shall
make such purchases and do such other
things as the trustees may direct wlthin
the scope of their powers.
The clerk or Assistant Librarian is re-
o,iired TO give bond in the penalty of
$1,000.
EXTEND USE OF LIBRARY
An important provision is made in para
graph seven OF the bill. concerning rules
and regulations for the government OF
the Library, in which it is provided that
suitable provision shall be made for the
loan OF the books to persons engaged in
scientific, historical or literary pursuits
in any county. city or town in the State,
provided, that the rights of the State
are properly guarded where the books are
so loaned" Touching this matter the
Code provides that 'the judges of the
Court of Appeals, the Governor the At
sorney-General, reporter Of the Court OF
Appeals. members Of the General AS
sembly. and such other officers of gov
e1nment as the Library Committee may
deem proper. shall be allowed to use the
4 Library.
Provision is made for the submission
Of an annual printed report by the Ii
brarian. showing the conduct and affairs
of the Office for the preceding twelve
Z 1nc.lttS