The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-02
a Frcsl, Egg
s Reserve.
STAT. reference Library.

Editor of The Tlmes-D,s p ,aahaa "statei
Reference library which appeared in
The Times Dispatch. this morning: you
very properly emphasize the great
benefit derived by legislators IN ~.
sister states from the work in com. conie
parative legislation conducted in those
States either by the State libraries or
by other Institutions located Wlt,li,
their borders. After descending ne
Won close by saying This is but a.
meagre outline OF the reference library
and its work, but 1T is suiiicienl ~
show the plan and scope. ana II ouSii
TO be sufficient to show the desirabihty
and Importance of having such an
adjunct to the State Library of Nir-
ginia.
The purpose of the present communl.
cation is TO prove that those in charge
of tre Virginia State Library have Tor
sore time realized the desirability
of having such an ad-
junct.'' and that the library has been
doing a great deal toward aiding the
'members of our General Assembly in
the performance of their duties. 1t IS
n fact that more than two years ago
81 department of comparative leSlsla-
ton was organized in this library. Dur
ing the last session of the General AS.
scmbly this department compiled and
distributed among the members forty-
two lists of references TO laws passed
within the last ten or twelve years by
our sister States on subjects occupy.
Ing the attention of lawmakers; and
for the approaching session the work
has already been we'll begun. Early
in November circular letter was
sent to each member Of the Lesisla-
ture which. as 1t gives description
OF the work in comparative legislation.
II should be very much pleased II YOU
would insert in fun. 1t Is as fol-
My Dear sir.-In anticipation of the
approaching session of the Legislature
of Virginia, ] wish to say that the
state Library is prepared TO continue
the legislative reference work which
ut the 1906 session was found by many
members TO be SO helpful This work
is simply that Of furnishing to any
lit a list of references to laws passed
in the last ten or fifteen years by the
various States of the Union on any
subject in which the applicant may
be. especially interested. With these
references he can go to the Law Library
and with very little trouble find all
the acts that lie wishes TO study. Be
ing thus relieved Of the task OF con- n
volumes--and this he would otherwise
| frequently be compelled to do IT he
aspired to thoroughness In his work
of the laws themselves, and n com
| pairing them one with another.
During the last session OF the Leg
islature forty-two ouch lists were pre-
varying III ltUSln 4iIDIFl 4oHS
typewritten page containing references
! 10 laws on the subject of the place
| for carrying ont the death penalty to
eighteen pages filled with references
! to food adulteration laws. few 9TH
ier Interesting topics were: Mines and
4 miners. inspection of cattle, road con-
jstruction, Institutions for epileptics
/ Incorporation OF towns and cities, anti
! cigarette legislation travelling audit.
ors and monopoies.
I 1T is hoped that the demands made
| on the library for this Kind OF SER
vice Will be even greater during thu
Though. of course the, preparation Q,
these lists Is work demanding boil
itimc and skill, the difficulties are
/ thanks TO the reference book In thu
| able. ] should be much gratified, how,
ever. If members would submit topics
even before the Legislature is con
y,s.ned--in TACT as soon, as possible
/ by the library over moro eXtendet
/ period, the number OF hurry calls
when the Legislature Is in. session
would he smaller. and the service coul'
requests OF yours viii receive promp
and careful attention. am,
Very truly yours.
STATE LIBRAR1AN."
tplicattons for references have been re
lceiyed, and ALREADY nine. lists hay
lheen sent out. while others arc Il
Icourse Of preparation.
i In addition to these referenceH t
laws. there are row being -preparc
hy the library staff lists Of reference
To helpful material IN books and perl
| odIcaIs. These lists VIII be printed an
Y distrIi,uted among the members OF tn
4 Lei ialature, arm
II Very truly yours.
II. X. MnILW AINE.
-, State Librarian
II Pufrle.
}, "Thers'K wan thing" said Cassidy. In tn
fsataprabt that's always puzzled me-"
"Cp,y wan lliing7N piped Casey, satcnsti