Tuesday, December 29.
Library of Congress.
Mr. Randolph reported a "bill concerning the library for the use of both Houses of Congress;" which, after being twice read, was committed to a Committee of the whole House: Mr. Rutledge in the chair.
The bill provided that the members of both Houses, the President and Vice President of the United States, and the Judges of the Supreme Court, should have liberty to take any book from the library to read.
Mr. Sprigg moved, to add the Judges of the District of Columbia. He was supported in argument by Mr. Dennis, upon the ground of the importance of the causes which this especial district would present, and the great expense and extreme scarcity of some most valuable and necessary law books.
Mr. Bayard objected to the motion, because he could discover no reason for distinguishing the judges of the district from others; but Judges of the Supreme Court being far from their libraries, required such references. He hoped the Congressional Library would never be subjected to the abuse which books used in courts of justice were too liable to.
The motion was not agreed to.
Some observations were made as to the time which the library was to remain open.
Mr. Griswold moved to confine it to the time of the session of Congress.
It was carried, with an exception moved by Mr. Southard, in favor of the Judges of the Supreme Court, whose sessions do not accord with those of Congress.
A blank was left as to the sum to be appropriated, in addition to the remaining part of the five thousand dollars heretofore appropriated, for the purchase of books.
On the Chairman's asking the sum with which to fill the blank, Mr. Randolph moved to strike out the sections, observing that, of that sum, not more than $2,200 had been used, and $2,800 remained unexpended. He entertained no doubt but Congress would aid the institution by every timely grant.