The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-24
VIRGLNIA,SLLBF2ARY ONE. or STATES M
MOST VALUABLE2ASSETS T7SBEGLNNLNG

= ~ tyehli 3AoVt, WHlutl SIlts ClcttIly SSis7
tablished tho right OF Virginia TO many
valuable historic nssets has made one
oi her richest posscssotls her Library,
u centre OF lively interest.
Miss Ilair's Richmond Calendar in.
Forms her reader thnt tie "sStntc Liz
hrary was formed January 20, 1898,
with colonial aud other collections as
n nucleus.''S s4
The legislative tenactme1,t founding
tho Library first became actively Of
ficient m ebr,lary II, ls2S, when tho
following law was PASSED: 5t
"Bc 1t enacted by the General AS
sembly: That tho Executive Of this
Commonwealth be- Ind they arc hcra-l|
by required so soon as may be after
the passage Of this act, to select with
in tho Capitol, n suitable room for the |
location Of tho public Library; pro-
Vidod the Same be not now In the oc-i
cupntion OF any public officer OF tho
Commonwealth; which room thay are
hereby authorized and required to fit
Nn and prepare for the purpose aforo-
said. the expcnscs whereof shall be
betrayed out of any money In tho
treasury, not otharwise appropriated
"Bo 1t further enacted: That It shall
BIO the duty OF the Executive. after the
preparation Of the room aforesaid, to
cause al book now In their possession
belonging to the public Library, or
which may hereafter be procured for
tho same, ia beEdepnsited therein. under
the superintendsnce and preservation
OF tho clerk Of tho executive council
who shall for the present act ex off
1ieio Us public librarian, and be nl-H
lowed for his services a yearly salary
at the discretion OF the Executlye.""'
It's Modest Beginnl n x.
The committee appointed by the Cow
clnor under this act. on March as, 1898,
selected the room in the southeast
corner Of the Capitol, on the same floor
With the council chamber. The collec,
3 ton OF books. which up to this time
T had been kep IN the council chamber.
4 wasS removed to this room, and library
service, with rules as to length OF
hours, the duties OF the librarian, and
the use OF the books. was formally in-E
nugurated.
unt!l the completion OF the now State
Library building in 1895. this room was
the home Of the State Library, and
those who rememberSits big open fire.
& plnces It's delightful atmospheric its
deep window seats and its charming
outlook, Sigh to think that increase OF
books and the Imperative need for
more space to render these books avail-
rble, could ever have brought about
the abolition OF anything SO pictur-
esque and SO intimately associated with
past State history and life.
During the War Between the States,
john Reuben Thompson, one OF the
war poets OF Virginia, author OF many
iMperishable and beautiful lyrics was
ftatc librarian. Among his successors
has been the latea,.well- remembered
George w. Ragby, Charles PoIndexter
and w w Scott.
Has DoAe Fine Work.
The old Library served a splendid
purpose and did q fino work. The
building In which twas situated was
the scene or many of the most mem-
orahle gatherings held ON the soil OF
Virginia. 5
Lafayette visited this Library In lsei,
when he came TO revisit Richmond and
lock at Houdon'a statue of Washington
IL the rotunda ofAthe Capitol build
y Ing. Ono can imagine what distin.
guished company looked into the
Library volumes for referance and in-
formation during the convention to
change the State Constitution on DC.
tober s. 1929. which brought together
most brilliant assembly of intellect
4 and legal wisdom.
One imagines how the rugged form
OF Daniel Webater looked there as a
visitor IN October OF 1910, when, aftor
speaking to- an inlmense crowd from
tho Capitol portico. he finally won the
1 hearts OF the fair-dnmes OF the; city
whom he talked over at the LOG
Cabin" One pictures the quick ster
and comprehensive glance OF William