The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-03-26
L1azaARY oEc0uz1eSsS5

soul of the scholarly Edward Ever
EFT, who years ago exclaimed: "Who
can see without shame that the fed
!: !. !: !: !: !
,s1sIA eral government of America is the
NEfSSN. only government in the civilized
EXT NsN world that has never founded
SH Nh literary institution of any description
NSk IH1 or sort?"
M1C&NfW So said Representative Simeon D.
VTMSSRk Tess of Ohio the other day in the
sd w house in address on the subject
of the library Mr. Fess Is a scholar
himself He is a lawyer. He has served as col
Sege president and professor in several institu-
lions. He is the author of works on American
politics and history. In connection with appro-
priations for the Congressional Library he was
asked to deliver address upon the Library as
q literary institution for the information of the
members In his address, reported in the Con-
gressionai Record, the following interesting facts
are found:
East of the Capitol stands the most beautiful
building In the world, the creation OF the genius
Of the architect, sculptor, and painter Within
its walls is found collection of publications
which rapidly o~ertaking the Bibliotheque Ma
d0naIe of Paris and the British Museum of Lon
don. the only other Libraries which exceed in
aumber of books the Congressional Library.
Like all other great institutions this had its
email and insignificant beginning 1t started some
Time before the beginning of the last century with
the appointment of committee to report need
and selection Of suitable books. Five thousand
&ollars was appropriated in 1900. Beckley of
Virginia was appointed librarian by jefferson in
1902. The first catalogue was Of nine pages, pre-
pared In 1902, the Library then containing 964
volumes and nine maps classified on the basis Of
sine into quartos. octavos and forth. The pur-
pose of the Library was stated by Senator Mtchill
I'm 1906 to be ito furnish with such materials
will enable statesmen to be correct in their In
sesdgatfons, and by becoming display Of erudi-
don ana research give higher dignity and
brighter luster to truth"
The catalogue Of 1912 contained titles of 3076
volumes and 53 maps and charts When the Car
f0l burned in 1874 by the British, the Library
had cost all told about 1900 for books and oper-
alton The librarians salary at first 50 per
day. The Library was DESTROYED August "a, and
on September u Jefferson wrote from his rome
rendering his library to congress. The commit
Tee was authorized By act of congress to purchase
die 1000 volumes for $23,95O. which was done in
January. 1915. jefferson catalogued the Library
wfich was later declared by Spofford as IAN adj
mirab1e selection of the best ancient and modern
literature up TO the beginning of the present GEN.
Jury These books were hauled from Monticello
10 Washington in farm wagons. = III
From 1915 to 1851 the Library grew from 1000
- 5000 volumes
On the evening Of December % 1926 Edward
Everp4. discovered fire In the galleries 81 the
LNs<xry. and lie. assisted by Daniel Webster Rd
oGher members Of congress- put 1t out. In 1851
n 0GG00U
lAe then handsome collection of $1,000 volumes.
Only one-third OF the Jefferson collection was
saved Congress at once took steps to rebuild the
1o@ Before the year was ended in several spe-a
slc acts 1t had appropriated $26S70O for the pur-
pose Ten years later general catalogue Of
iSs0 pages was published. In 1869 the last COM
Qsete catalogue, arranged by subjects. was pub
1sased "a two volumes Of LIZA pages
Tns card catalogue was adopted about 1855.
rnd WINS perfected from time to time to its pres
-1nt wonderfully serviceable system.
N 1884 A. r. Spo1cord was selected as librarian,
sand that year might be taken as the beginning OF
- third stage of Congressional Library history.
snnsuess sympathetically responded to iegisla-
NE demands. Frequent appropriations were
lter ne fashion Of the famous beginning In 1916.
rAree pears after the selection Of Sronord. con-
$780, anthorixed the purchase Of tile valuable
rclIek45sn of Americana from Peter Force. II
eonfnlned 10000 volumes and cost 100000. It
uns regafded MS I rare collection Of books and
paMphlets "a American subjects manuscripts
aewopapers. maps. autographs and 80 forth.
Abcuf the same time the collection of the Smith
ao0inn sInstitution, comprising 10000 volumes.
wxs transferred to the Congressional Library. It
suunfalned Invaluable publications Of the various
learned 1ocieties throughout the world with which
Mke 1nsaitution had exchanse arrangements
Accesstons were cor 1nnfiy made. among which
$3.50 - 1854 fhe petigru law library 1882, the
unasnScrtpt papers Of Benjamin Franklin: 1883.
- matthew Carpenter law library; 1882, the
TnDer collection Or 1900 volumes which con-
ca5ned ann0ug other Invaluable publications. m
Snsaf conplefe collection 0f copies Of letters md
- - General Washington.
- ~ beck q 1846 provision q the ccpy-
= ~ reaulred deposit n the Library Of one
4 - y evesy book. map chart musical comDod-