The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1901-03-23
Misplaced Politics.

The contest for the Office of state librarian of Ten.
nesee recently concluded by the defeat of Miss Lauder
dale by Mrs Epperson, Its attendant circumstances
has served at least useful purpose 1t has emphasized
the existence of condition in too many states, most of
them southern, at once anomalous aDd farccal.
1t is number of years since the inauguration OF
the movement, the development of which has added
brariaDshp to the list of the learned professions Such
lit become and but the ignorant will question it's
title to the place The ability to dust of books, to
sort hem according to affinity of titles and to learn their
location in ROOM today constitute better of
fitness for this profession than does familiarity with
magistrates form book guarantee ability lawyer.
In calling native bent of mind essential to its
thorough mastery than in this in few does training play
greater part in the achievement of The truth
of these propositions established the world over and
Europe and the northern and eastern states of America
schools for the instruction and training of librarians
recognized institutions of learning
In part of the country have had, until re-
Gently, but few individuals wealthy enough to found pub
lie libraries and such institutions have been confined
largely to those maintained by the state For this
alone the states should have made their libraries the OBJ
jects of peculiar Yet is mild proposition to say
that the Southern states have managed them so as
guarantee minimum of efficiency and the smallest pos
sibe contribution to the public good In most, if nota
of the of the SOUTH this Office so important in its
day. plaything of politics 1t is by regarded
too small 'ob,' in its salary attachment, to justify
the expenditure Of effort at securing it by the male
politician, and is therefore left crumb to his sister
And sweet mess she makes of it, There is something
amusing yet pathetic, the thought of such place be-
ing canvassed for by Tom Dick and Harry the interest
of young woman, whose principal qualification is
that she needs the salary; witnessing the buttonho
ing of legislators by fair candidates. each of whom
hor
should and elsewhere does muchto the people
large, with is made to merely the perverted and
ridiculous purpose of catering to the feminine ambition
for holding Office Small wonder that beyond two three
exceptions, Estate library country prac
tcally nothing but fair collection of law books-ts IL
brarian merely favored office seeker
This paper has than made plea for a
state library for Mississippi, in fact well in name.
We would earnestly seek change in the law providing
for librarian The salary should be made large enough
to command the services of some one woman,
trained to the duties of such positions Above all else
should the manner of selection be changed The Office
should be absolutely removed from the field of politics
Not the governor should have anything do with
the seecon-for governors have politics. well leg
satures The librarian should be selected by the trus
tees of the brarYthe justices of the supreme court
The law should direct that they look especially to the
fitness of an applicant; it. should provide term of at
least IOur years. suDecL 10 removal Dy the trustees for
incapacity other unftnesg Mississippi viii have need
Of trained ability in this limo daywe hope In the
immediate future-and We know Of no surer means Of /
securing it than this.
With ample accommodations for books the state /
should endeavor to make amends for previous shorcom
ngs and build up library commensurate with her ability
md her needs With the adoption of such plan as
uggested she could also secure librarian. One thor
,ughly qualified u.s. under existing conditions, merely
ccident of politics.
Sotna tanars IN Tho etata cont;n.. 70 horn a,