The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-10
STATE; LIBRARY.

4 "A would lie a history OF North
America itself" wrote Burke
In 1905 Tile materials for correct
history are diminishing every daJ the
war hath already made n mechanically
chasm in the public recordn."
Although from time to time farsec-
Ing men wrote OF the danger in the
hand-to mouth policy OF tho infant
State in caring for the then easily
available history of the past and The
present, tile General Assembly vent
on for years eating It's cake and fall
ins to make adequate preparation for
the needs OF posterity In the matter
Of historical records. In 1854 Thomas
Jefferson ondeavorcd 10 secure the
passage of q b!ll establishing q public
library. but not until 1879 WAS any real
uction taken in this regard. In fact,
not for 4 century after the founda-
ton OF the Commonwealth was the Inn
portince OF the collation. OF such ma
terlaI fully realized and adequate pre-
paration made tor It's care aud protec-
ton.
NirRinin Not In Front.
AS it, IS. the Virginia State Library
is 10 day FAR behind those ot other
States, notably, Massachusetts. in tho
matter OF facilities afforded for tho
proper gathering OF Information which
belongs there and in tho publications
OF matter oil interest to the people ut
large. When one considers the amount
Of money made available. the Size OF
tho force, tho inattention given To Tie
library by the lawmakers Of genera
lions. one IL reminded Of The famous
allusion to the dog who walked on his
hind leKs-thc surprise being not that
ii was done so well. but that II was
done al all.
Occupying. a. II now does the en-
tire upper floor OF tho state Library
building. the contrast with tho very
limited quarters OF only few years
ago In the old Capitol building. is
striking, The modern stacks, rePiac-
ing antlquated furniture. help 10 show
an increasing interest in the needs and
possibilities of the library. But many
moro Of these arc badly needed, as are
facilities for the handling of the vari-
ous de artments-refcrence, archives
periodicals and travelling libraries.
Jefferson Is Founder.
II in a rather remarkable fact. If
aggression may be here made, that
many writer's who have treated Of
Thomas Jencrson's views on the sub
ject OF public education have handled
the question without the fulncss OF
knowledge which would come only
from "a first-hand acquaintance with
three bills written by him and present
ed TO the General Assembly. These
wcro embraced in report of the Com
Inittee of revers (of the code), and
were entitled. respectively. "A bill for
the more general diffusion of know
LEDGE" "a bill for amending the con-
stitution OF the College OF William and
Mary, and substituting more certain
revenues for It's support" and "a bill
for establishing n public library" The
entire scheme. as pointed out by State
Librarian II. Fl. McIlwainc. in a note on
the subject, was most comprehensive,
ombodying these ideas That school
teaching the rudiments of knowledge
and supported by public money should
be within reach of every child in the
State; that there should be high
school accessible to all who proved
themselves capable of taking adHant-
nge of tho opportunities presented:
that William and Mary College should
be converted into IL State university
for the reception of those iitted to
pursue their studies beyond the high
school courses: and that there should
be a public library for the encourage
mont of work of research.
The committee OF reyisers referred
to was appointed in 1875 by the Gem
cral Assembly to make Of tho old
laws consistent code and to suggest
additions suited to the new condi tons.
1t was composed of Thomas Jefferson,
Edmund PendIcton. George Wythe,
George Mason, and Thomas I.udwell
Lee. Only 500 copies OF their report
were printed, and tho copies arc now
rare. accounting. In DIR. McTlwaine's
opinion, for tho lack of general know
ledge concerning their findings
The First BiIi.
Jeffersons plans had to wait for
many :,ears for realization, his library
bill failing of passage. This measure
was in part as follows:
"on the first day of January. in
every year, there shall be paid out of
the treasury the sum of two thous-
and pounds. to be laid out In such
books and maps rs may be proper to
be preserved in public library and
In defraylng the expenses. necessary
for the care and preservation thereof,
which library shall be established at
the town OF Richmond.
II Tho two Houses OF Assembly shall
appoint three persons of learning and
of attention to literary matters. to BIO
visitors of the said library. 1t shall
not be lawful for the keeper. or the
visitors themselves. or any other per-
son to remove any book or map out
of the said library. unless 1t be for
the necessary repair thereof: but the
Same shall be mado useful by including
=, q ]. Z.