Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Room.

33. House document room.

34. Engrossing and Enrolling Clerks of the House.
35. Committee on Enrolled Bills.

36. Office of the Clerk of the House of Representa-
tives. It was in this room, then occupied by the
Speaker of the House, that ex-President John
Quincy Adams died, two days after he fell at his
seat in the House, February 23, 1848.

37. Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court.
38. Robing room of the Judges of the Supreme Court.
39. Withdrawing room of the Supreme Court.
40. Office of the Marshal of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, formerly the Senate Cham-

[blocks in formation]

Room.

[blocks in formation]
[graphic][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
[blocks in formation]

THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

(West front of Capitol, main floor.)

Librarian of Congress.-AINSWORTH R. SPOFFORD, 1621 Massachusetts avenue NW. Assistants.-Louis Solyom, Montgomery County, Md.; David Hutcheson, 401 B street NE.; James C. Strout, 124 E street NW.; John Savary, 2124 M street NW.; Paul Neuhaus, 424 Fourth street SE.; P. Lee Phillips, 1707 H street NW.; Vernon Dorsey, 2025 N street NW.; George F. Curtis, The Arno; T. J. Putnam, Anacostia, D. C.; J. F. N. Wilkinson, 901 E street SW.; Arthur Crisfield, 1723 G street NW.; P. C. Nicholas, 818 Connecticut avenue; Daniel Murray, 934 S street NW.; J. G. Morrison, 811 Thirteenth street NW.; W. T. Moore, 1318 S street NW.; George Kearney, 3425 Prospect avenue, West Washington; Hugh A. Morrison, Baltimore, Md.; George T. Ritchie, Baltimore, Md.; Mark H. Hopkins, 647 Massachusetts avenue NE.; Lewis M. Turner, Lanhams Station, Md.; H. C. Chase, Congressional Hotel; Barry Mohun, 1011 Eleventh street NW.; Wilson Young, 1711 Pennsylvania avenue NW.; W. H. H. Hart, 1130 Fifteenth street NW.; W. S. Scott, 201 East Capitol street; B. A. Dwyer, 200 East Capitol street; Carl A. Clemons, 1443 Corcoran street; J. Q. Howard, 907 Thirteenth street NW.; R. W. Bulkley, 702 Twentieth street NW.; Samuel M. Croft, 816 Eighth street NE.; J. S. Burlingham, 204 Eleventh street SE.; Fred. Fowler, 141 A street NE.; Hamilton Rucker, 1311 Third street NW.

The Library of Congress occupies the entire western projection of the central Capitol building. The original library was commenced in 1800, but was destroyed with the Capitol in 1814 during the war with England. It was afterwards replenished by the purchase by Congress of the library belonging to ex-President Jefferson, embracing about 7,000 volumes. In 1851 it contained 55,000 volumes, and by an accidental fire in that year the whole collection was destroyed except 20,000 volumes. It was rebuilt in 1852, when $75,000 was appropriated in one sum to replenish the collection. The new library halls, three in number, are fitted up with ornamental iron cases and iron ceilings, the whole being perfectly fireproof. The library is recruited by regular appropriations made by Congress, which average about $11,000 per annum; also by additions received by copyright, by exchanges, and from the Smithsonian Institution. The library of the Smithsonian Institution has now been deposited in the Library of Congress, where it is secured against loss by fire. This collection is especially rich in scientific works, embracing the largest assemblage of the transactions of learned societies which exists in the country. The library was also enriched by the presentation to the Government, in 1882, of the large private library of the late Dr. Joseph M. Toner, of Washington, numbering over 27,000 volumes, besides nearly as many pamphlets. The donor, whose public spirit is worthy of emulation, added to the collection annually. The library of copyright books was removed here from the Patent Office in 1870, and all copyrights issued in the United States are now recorded in the books deposited in the office of the Librarian of Congress. The present number of volumes in the whole library, including law books, which are kept in a separate library room under the Supreme Court, is over 745,000, besides about 220,000 pamphlets. A new building to contain its overflowing stores of learning and to afford room for their proper arrangement is nearly completed, a liberal appropriation having been made by successive Congresses. This collection is very rich in history, political science, jurisprudence, and in books, pamphlets, and periodicals of American publication or relating to America. At the same time the library is a universal one in its range, no department of literature or science being unrepresented. The public are privileged to use the books in the library, while Members of Congress and about fifty official members of the Government only can take away books. The library is open every day (Sundays excepted) during the session of Congress, from 9 a. m. to the hour of adjournment. In the recess of Congress it is open between the hours of 9 a. m. and 4 p. m.

The new Library Building, immediately east of the Capitol, will be completed and occupied about March 1, 1897.

THE DEPARTMENTAL TELEGRAPH.

SENATE OPERATOR.

C. W. Kenney, 412 New Jersey avenue SE.

HOUSE OPERATOR.

J. J. Constantine, Riggs House.

« PreviousContinue »