Evening star., 1914-12-23
THOMAS JEFFERSON'S
LIBRARY.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

January 80, 1915, the Library of Con-
gress it now exists will be 100 years
old. 1t was begun with the purchase
by Congress of the library of Thomas
jefferson. The original library desig-
mated for the use of congressman was
destroyed by the British when the
Capitol was burned in August of 1914.
Recognizing the loss to the nation In
having its lawmakers deprived of the
| reference books so greatly needed.
Mr.. Jefferson wrote to the President
Offering his library upon any terms
formulated by Congress. After much
discussion and some opposition, bill
was passed upon January 80, 1915, pro-
vding for the purchase of the Jeffer-
son library This was the largest and
best selected private library in the
United States 1t covered a range of
many subjects, and was a fitting nu-
! cleus for the present library. which is
in reality the reference library of last
resort for the entire nation.
The progress of the nation during
century may be typified by the great
national library developed from the
few volumes secured from Mr.. Jeffer-
son to the hundreds of thousands when
are now so well taken care of. The IN
telligence and versatility SHOWN by
MIR. jefferson in the selection and ar
rangement of his books was founda-
ton also for the library science when
has since been developed in this coun-
try.
Only a little over 1000 of the original
volumes owned by Mr.. jefferson are
now in exist
Griuina1 Volumes ence. These are
Number Over z, 600. steel Shelves in
the private office of Me. Bishop, the
superintendent Of the reading roonl'
and therefore under his daily super
vision Most of these books are still
In their original bindings. A few have
been rebound in substantial leather
worthy of their historic Importance.
They may not be taken from the
library, but can be consulted undef
certain conditions by students who can
not obtain elsewhere the material con-
tanned in them. While their condition
is remarkably good, the importance OF
preserving them from needless han
ding is obvious.
1t is doubtful if the present war tax
or any other measure caused greater
dissension in both houses of Congress
than did the proposal to purchase these
books in the Congress of 1914. Polltl-
cal rancor was more bitter then than
now, and free speech upon the floor OF
both legislative bodies was strongly
encouraged. The purchase of the books
was opposed by many, not only 1or
reasons of economy, but also because II
was seriously believed that some of the
contents of the volumes might be pref
judicial to Legislative morality. cyrus
KING of New York was especially bitter
in his objections, SO that a part OF his
speech has been handed down to pos
terity in the following language:
ut might be inferred from the char
acter of the man (Jefferson), who col
lected the books. and of France, where
the collection was principally made,
that the library should contain ire
ligious and immoral books-works Of
French philosophers who caused and
influenced the French revolution which
dissolved Europe and extended to this
country. 1 am opposed to the general
dissemination of that infidel philosophy
and of the principles of the man (Jef-
ferson) who has inflicted greater In