New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-19
TIE PROMOTION OF MR. BANCROFT.
SOMEBODY WANTED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT
WHO WOULD M OF MORE VALUE
HIS ST'0CFSSOR.

WHO WOULD M OF MORE VALUE
HIS SUCCESSOR.
Washington, MAY IL (SpecialD.-The temper Of tho
Mugwumps has been sadly stirred up within the last
two three days BY the action Of secretary Blaine In
promoting Of the clerks of hi, Department TO Il
more lucrative place than he now holds Not Only
the Mugwumps are excited. but sterling Democrats
are highly incensed by this strange action. and on
Monday last Representative Gcary. of California in
toduced resolution in the House calling upon the
secretary Of State for hi, for this promotion
The clerk who Is affected BY this kind action OF Mr..
Blaine is Frederic \. Bancroft.
Mr. Bancroft was appointed librarian Of the state
Department by Mr.. Bsyard after that amablc gentle
man had made things 50 dsagreeabc Tor the exceed
ingy capable incumbent Of that Office that he was
forced to resign. Mr.. Bancroft is supposcd to be a
resident Of New-York and whom he appointed at
the instance Of Mr. Rives, then Assistant sccretar,
Of state his merits scholay. student and Mugwump
widely proclaimed by tho press. since his pro-
notion" II an Increase In SALARY NAV b. deemed II
promotion. all OF these great qualifications have again
been exploited But II IL nevertheless q singular
fact that while Mr.. Bancroft held the place Of chief of
the Burcau Of Rolls and Library of the state Depart
ment his great erudion and capabilities were not
devoted 10 the work OF his bureau. That work was
entirely entrusted 10 the competent clerk, under hs
charge. who not only performed the duties Of the
bureau but were called upon by him to assist In tn,
preparation OF data 10 be used In the history Of the
Confcderacy which he recently published.
IL Is said by those who are familiar with the work
lngs Of the state Department that Mr.. bancroft re-
eardcd the position which he held chiefly In The HIGHT
Of q valuable aid o. his literary labprs ana q. a
pension on the part Of liberal Government 10 one
who endowed with great gns and " A. lol'h
10 leave It. The place is one of great importance.
An Of the lnw- passed by Congress and approved
by the President hlcd In this bureau. and no law
b.. .ft If.I. mud
certified BY the librarian his assistants. Tn
Ulnnry /, the most complete in this coUnt-y the
subject OF international law, and 1t Is one Of the
chief dulles Of the Librarian 10 make himself familiar
with presidents the subjects which arc continually
coming up before the Department on questions Of
international importance MI. Bancroft surprising
Ignorance for one supposed he well qualified to
I'LL this place demonstrated during the italian
episode the Chillan affair and the Behring sea
troycrsy II is said that Sir. Blaine frequently
planned Of the lneiccncy Of Ianc OF and instead of
calling upon him for assistance detailed other clerks
TO look up precedcn's
About month ago Bancroft was asked to resign
lie refused and May IL he was promoted by
being appointed Consul to brunswick. Germany. at
salary q $500 and fees. while his old place PAYS
only saIOo But with his promotion vanished the
usurped prerogativc Of using the time OF the Govern
mcnt and the clerks Of the state Department In
piling histories
Tho promotion OF Mr.. Bancroft was not due to
politics. II act OF kindness which II seems
is not pp;cciaed lie was OF no value to the Depart
ment and a mere ngnrehcad was not needed
Mr. Blaine has appointed a. the successor Of Mr..
bancroft Andrew n. Allen. who Is one of the most
competent ana Intelligent clerks In the Department.
lie was originally appointed by Mr.. Evars and Is
thoroughly familiar with every bureau in the Depart
mcnt. lie /, graduate of Harvard. Il lawyer by
profession, l. a thorough French aud German scholar
and Is a gentleman Of refinement and culture. 1t
NAV be said that many OF the duiep which should have
been performed by Sir. Bancroft In connection with
the Italian. Chilian and Bchring SEA- controversies
were intrIsed TO Mr.. Allen.