The daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1906-1907, 1907-03-06
THE STATE LIBRARY
FULL TEXT OF THE SUPREME COURTS LETTER TO THE
LEGISLATURE CRITIC|SMG PRESENT MANAGEMENT

Court, ask your Indulgence that we
may, in the most public manner pos
sible state our reasons for requesting
the passage of this bill
Any statement that We have any
ulterlOr motive in advocating this
measure; that we are seeking addi-
tional power or patronage; that any
party politics are involved in it; or
mat we are attempting to- interfere
with business that belongs exclusively
to another officer and another branch
OF the State Government, is unworthy
the dignity Of a denial. We have no
desire TO interfere with any other
officer or the conduct Of his business
except in so far as such busiess af-
fects the Court and the judicial
branch Of government. To the ex-
tent tnat matters affect the interests
Of the Court, We believe we have a
clear right to recommend such legis-
latiOn as we deem to be in the inter-
est CT the puDllc service.
The sole object OF Senate Bill No.
- is TO insure the States valuable
and magnificent Library will be plac-
ed il the highest degree of efficiency
and commensurate with the money
which has been and will be expended
upon it. While the Court is not no
minally in control of the State Ii
brary, nevertheless the Library was
established and is maintained prim-
arily for its benefit and the benefit Of
attorneys, officers Of the Court, who
have business before it, and for the
use of the Legislature The Librar-
ian, whoever he may be. is, in a very
large sense, a trusteee for the benefit
of the Court. This statement should
not only be manifest upon reflection
out is indicated from the statute itself
Complied Laws, Section 1922, pro
vide. Upon assuming the duties OF
his office the Secretary of State, as eA
offcio State Librarian shall execute
a receipt and deliver the same to the
Justices of the Supreme Court for a.
books and other property in the State
Library (See Secretary of States
Report, 1907, page 227)
4 The Justices of the Supreme Cour
have a far greater direct interest il
all matters pertaining to the State
Library than any other official cal
possibly have, though he may be thu
= one nominally in charge of its man
, agement and safe-keepinS. Therefore
: to say that the Justices of the Su
. preme Court are meddling in a mat
ter that is zone of their concern i
contrary to both fact and reason, ant
- is as false as -: statement that tn
Justices of the Supreme Court desir
to wreSt control of the Library fror
- the Secretary of State in order t
. make a position for some friend.
We have one Of the best law i
braries in the United States, and W
are desirous that it be made secon
. to none We believe that in order t
. make the Library fully accomplis
- its purpose, and to maitain it in tn
highest degree of efficiency, it shoul
- be directly in the hands of a prof
- cent librarian. The position of libra
=, ian has become a position in itsel
- and schools have been es+ ablishe
-. for such education. We believe ths
- library to house it, representing
=, value quarter of million or MOI
of dollars, should be presided over /
person skilled in library work. w
90 have not the slightest desire to nam
such person, and we do not care wh
that person may be, if he or she /
qualified for the position, but We fe
that the public service will be co
I'd served if we are permitted to pas
N upon the qualifications of the persC
nominated Should the bill become
O. law, whoever the Secretary of Sta
,e may recommend, and who is qualifie
r. to conduct the Library with efficient
i'll proportionate to it's size and valu
IN will meet with the hearty approx
Is of the Justices of the Supreme Coul
t. We believe we have the welfare
W the Library more at heart than ca
I'd the Secretary of State or any 9TH
O. officer, for the Library is our wor
ne shop, and it's books are our tools, al