And State Papers 599 



any other through purchase, exchange, and the oper- 

 ation of the copyright law, this library has a unique 

 opportunity to render to the libraries of this coun- 

 try to American scholarship service of the high- 

 est importance. It is housed in a building which is 

 the largest. and most magnificent yet erected for li- 

 brary uses. Resources are now being provided which 

 will develop the collection properly, equip it with the 

 apparatus and service necessary to its effective use, 

 render its bibliographic work widely available, and 

 enable it to become, not merely a centre of research, 

 but the chief factor in great co-operative efforts for 

 the diffusion of knowledge and the advancement of 

 learning. 



For the sake of good administration, sound econ- 

 omy, and the advancement of science, the Census 

 Office as now constituted should be made a perma- 

 nent government bureau. This would insure better, 

 cheaper, and more satisfactory work, in the interest 

 not only of our business but of statistic, economic, 

 and social science. 



The remarkable growth of the postal service is 

 shown in the fact that its revenues have doubled and 

 its expenditures have nearly doubled within twelve 

 years. Its progressive development compels con- 

 stantly increasing outlay, but in this period of busi- 

 ness energy and prosperity its receipts grow so much 

 faster than its expenses that the annual deficit has 

 been steadily reduced from $11,411,779 in 1897 to 



