The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1910-10-15
Department IS One Of Useful
ness Although Some VIII
Not Believe II
CChnrIea llrool.s sn1itIa.l


Republican admins tion when
has been subjected to the criticism
OF some OF the Democratic leaders
who want to get tack into ONCE, has
been the Department OF Archives
and History. In 1905 nearly a half
century had passed away since West
Virginia had become a state. Every
other state In the Union had libra
ry-West Virginia had none.
Through all these years our people
who desired to consult library,
were required to go to neighbortng
states to do this. Every other state
had its Department OF Archives and
History, or was engaged in doing
work OF such department under some,
Virginia, though the
whole state was a vast museum Of
history, had no such department, or,
other means or collecting and pre-
serving her history or the records Of
her people. the state did not possess
copies OF the works OF her own an -ii
thors, or of those who had written
books about West virginia and her
people. But worse still. nowhere
was there any collection of her pub
lie documents or state papers-no
collection OF the messages and proc
IamatIons of her governors; no col
lection OF the reports of her execu-
tive ofIlcers- auditor, treasurer,
state superintendent of schools or at
torney general; no collection of the
reports OF the boards OF directors or
regents OF her state institutions; and
above all no collections OF the jour
nails OF the House and Senate, OF
state papers OF the legislature, and
thus It was that the records OF the
whole legislative and executive bust
ness and history OF the state weFs
so widely scattered that some of tie
best informed citizens of the state
expressed serious doubt as to
whether these all important publle
documents could all ever be found
ana brought together in one collec-
tlon. Not only this. but West Vir-
GINA was without q single pubAc
document or state paper of Virginia
the old Mother State-of which
she had been an integral part for full
two hundred and fifty years. THESE
were most important to our people
who must 20 or send an attorney to
Richmond to search for them; ana
counties, at great expense, must do.
This. when it was necessary to have
information regarding old-ttme
roads, bridges, etc. In short the
state OF West virginia stood alone
among the states OF the Union in
1905, as the one state which had
permitted it's public documents
state papers and literature to bs
scattered far and wide, and hao
practically made no effort at collec-
ton or preservation What was 20
he done? Governors in their mes
sases had called attention to these
conditions. and many citizens haa
urged some action on the part OF the
state MS remedy for these. At last
there was an awakening and prompt
action was taken on the part of the
Legislature.
In 1905 Governor A. B. White
once more called attention to existing
conditions. and various plans as
remedy therefor were discussed;
then the creation OF a Department OF
Archives and History similar to those
in some other states was deemed
hest. In accordance herewith the
Hon. John j. Cornwel, senator
from Hampshire county. submitted
January 10, 1905, Senate Bill No.
81. "a Bill providing for the estab-
lisf,ment of a State Bureau Of Arch
ives and History" This was refer.
red TO the committee on public libra
nv the chairman thereof, the Hon
ira G. Bicks, reporting same back 70
.the senate three days later, with the
Recommendation that 1t do pass. The
body did pass it with but three dis
senting votes. Then it went to the
House where it was passed with but
one dissenting vote.
In the short space OF five years
this department. has become the
pride Of the state. because no other
gency has done more, OF so much.
to give to our people a high rank
in culture and intelligence among
he people OF other states. Herein
ave been collected and arranged
early GO, 900 volumes and pamph-
Is. such as are, in the language o.
le law, usually found IN such col
cctions." These embrace wide
ange OF history and other branches
II literature; herein is a museum
,,+jor 11Ius4rative OF the pioneer