The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-25
Col. Hepburn on Library Regulation.

Colonel WILLIAM PETERS HEPBURN,
the venerable Clarinda statesman whose
fame is associated in a very conditional
immortality with rate regulation, has
strong and peculiar views on library
regulation also. He is good enough to
approve the architecture and ornamental
ton of the Library of Congress, but he
doesn't like its librarian, Mr.. HERBERT
PUTNAM; and that gentleman's expen-
ditures for books and his taste in books
stir the bile of the venerable Clarindian:
with this extraordinary expenditure. wi,hou,
recommendation In the way OF economy, without,
q suggestion as 10 how this grand totaY can be
made less, 500. 900 are put into the hands OF this
gentleman, and I understand that he is ransacking
the second hand book stores OF the world by COM
munlcation and by his messengers TO find books,
books. What klnd' What do the American peo.
pie care for the curiositics in the bookbinder's art
or for these old and musty tones probably re.
printed over and over again! What do we or the
American people care for being the owners and
custodians OF this class OF literary curosltyl
think that something ought TO be done In order to
curtail the wonderful expenditure that is imposed
upon the American people"
What kind of books should be in the
Library Of Congress, a great, national
library? Should it not collect such
treasures as it can? Should it not seek
to become the repository of old and
curious and rare books as well of the
inestimable contemporary productions
which the copyright law sends to it in
ever increasing food? Even Mr.. BUR-
TON of Ohio turned away from his
beloved and appropriation filed rivers
and harbors to remind Colonel HEPBURN
and the House that the purpose of the
Library Of Congress, a reference and
n~on-circulating institution, was like that
of great national collections like the
British Museum and the National Lii
brary of Paris. There is a first folio
Shakespeare in the Congress Library, and
it contains also numerous books from
THOMAS J%EFFERsoN's library which not
only have his bookmark, but thumb
marks as well, and his notes written in
the margin"
This not too long a peep at old and
musty tones irritated still more the
venerable Clarindian. In fact, it stung
him to retort with his wonted subtle
and refined irony;
81 do not know whether the gentleman. in pur.
suing his Shakespeanan studies, would prefer TO
get hold OF that old and musty and dog cared
volume or 10 have a clean one IN modern print.
! think that. perhaps, would be valuable In a coll
lection OF curiosities In our National Museum, per-
haps. II II did not cost too much. And why should
the gentleman especially desire that volume Of
THoMAs JEPFERsoN's that has the thumbmarks. OF
THoMAs JEFFERSON on the margin7 Docs he take
any pleasure in ascertaining the fact that THOMAS
JEFFERSON was not as cleanly In his habits as he
ought TO have been' lLaughter.l Does that i'm.
prove the public mindI Does that give value TO
this great institution"
The opinion of the Hon. JAMES BRECK
PERKINS OF Rochester, who not only
reads but WITHSTAND WELLS perhaps
some diameterS more expert and valu-
able as to the management Of the Library
of Congress and the fitness, intelligence
and efficiency OF its librarian:
Il, has been my fortune 20 see some Of the great
foreign libraries. and to some extent to carry on.
with others. studies In the great libraries OF the
! world. Ny friend from Iowa, l presume, will say
that those studies were Of small Importance. and
certainly no one values their Importance less than
myself; but still In that wayI have had the pppor.
tunity of comparing the great libraries Of Paris
and London with the great library Of the United
States. and I have risen here to-day TO say that
In the opportunities which our library furnishes to
scholars, however little value my friend from Iowa
may attach To their labors, In the promptness with
which they can 1be attended to. in the facilities
which are furnished 10 them for the careful lnves'
ugatlon Of any branch Of history or science. there