Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-07
a Voice Erom thc pnst


Even at this day Il most valuable deposit. the
state Library. is ut risk In the comhus,iblc up
per part of the Capitol, and the incstimablo
statue of Washington by lioudon may one day
DC DESTROYED Canovas splendid one 1T
iie,Sh; ~ G. \ handsome. hrcproof building
should be rcctcd for tho preservation Of both
and of other objects OF value.
WITH only slight variations the words
w quoted here apply to conditions as
they exist today, and they might have been
pcnned by any one of those loyal Virgnians
VINO still are labOring for the proper safe
guarding of the States records and art
treasures. But the passage is not modern
thousands will recognize it as copied from
Samuel Mordccai's History of Richmond
i'll By-Gone Days" His exhortation for the
adequate protection of these priceless and
irreplaceable Nirgniana was written in 1856
Ia a footnotc lie adds: Governor Wise has
followed up this suggestion and wisely
recommended tho erection OF such an edifcc
(lS17}, hut to no avail
That was siNty-four years ago upwards
OIL lhree-quaricrs of Il century, and still the
nope OF the historian, Mordeca, that vir-
GINA would protect its treasures seems lit
tie nearer realization, while the suggestion
OF Governor Wise. followed by similar sug-
sestions and recommendations OH the part
OF his successors has not been acted on
iaVoraby True. tho State Library no
longer is housed in the "combustiblo upper
part OF the Capitol This Invaluable col
lection now occupies separate building but
the ire hazard is ever present and it is
not SO long ago that il was threatened with
destruction when flames broke out in a hcan
OF rubbish that had been permitted 10 ac
cnmulate in the basement
The dire need OF hreproof structure in
which TO house Eirginias records. it's OBJ
lects OF art and its relics OF bv-gonc DAYS
mas been urged repeatedly upon the General
Assembly Only recently, in letter ad-
IN Mn
son rage, famed author and late ambassador
10 italy. expressed utter amazement that Eir.
giHia should be so careless OF its treasures
us not TO shelter them in Il place OF absolute
safety, and he made the further pertinent
comment that a gift of splendid paintings
had been withheld from Virginia because it
had no place wherein their protection could
be assured.
Happily, there arc signs that Virginia
ever slow to act. at last is being aroused
10 mo need which Mordeca regarded as so
imperative way back yonder in the last cen
sury. Several organizations are pressing the
matter and 1t will be presented in a force
1ui manner TO the General Assembly |, nav
be argued that the States financial condj-
tloh Is not such rs TO make the project feast
BILE now. but that argument will not hold
together in face OF the facts Virginia is
not SO poor as TO be justified iii shamcfullv
hegtectlng records and art possessions for
which other States would gladly give mil !
lions. 1t is spending vast sums OF money
Tor roads and schools, and rightfully So and
II can well afford TO spend the comparatively
small amount that would be necessary 10
mouse IN safety and in a manner coDlmen-
snrate with their Importance no. to this
STATE alone, but 10 the nation rs we'll its
archives, dating back to earliest Colonial
days, ana It's accumulation OF art objects
which is second to none III this country IN |
point OF historical interest