The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-21
BANCROFT MIY sTAr AT HOME.
Riaine Requests the withdrawal OF Ills
Nomination Us { onsul to krunsvIck.

WASHINGTON. May 2o.-The following letter
from Secretary Blaine to tho President was
given to the press tonight:
DIrAe,aESr OF STATE WASHINGTON, May 20. 1892.
To- P,eii.nts
respectfully request that you withdraw the nomna.
ton OF Frederick Bancroft OF New York. late libra
risn OF tho Department of state for Consn! at Bruins
wick. Germany.
There is amiabie tradition in the Department Of
state that 10 removed from Its service without
being appointed to another, II nothing morally or per-
sonaly offensive Is attributed to him. In accordance
with this practice and after very careful conaidera
ton procured the nomination of Mr. Bancroft to the
Consulship in Brunswick. His record as librarian
would not have been removed" but merely trans.
ferred to tho consular service" Mr.. Bancroft did
not however desire tins arrangement and appealed to
the newspapers with little ncrimony OF statement
and with considerable personal dscourtesy to myself
assume that tho newspaper accounts were procured
by him. inasmnch as lie advised me In personal In
terview OF his intention to do so.
The cause Of his removal ms librarian was his utts
nn6ness for tho places lie has not in any sense what
may be termed tho talent OF the librarian. and four
years have failed to develop tho slightest Improvement
in him. Ills ability doubtless sufficient In some other
calling but for q librarian he has no aptitude. Mr.
Dwight his accompshcd predec librarian OF
tho Public Library in Boston hal trained number OF
his assistants. who became very efficient mon.
Mr.. Bancroft. shortly after his appointment.
quarren,d with one of the host of tbcse who
with the that tho gentleman was transferred to
another bureau in tho department. aud his Invaluable
services lost the library Mr.. Bancroft quar-
relied with another gentleman VINO has been con
nectcd with tho rolls AMI thoroughly equipped for
his place. which he has Allied tong time and to-day
there is practically non.in'ercourse between them,
which is totally against the interests OK the public ser
vice.
During the las, summer Mr. Bancroft also quar-clled
with the Third Assistant secretary of State the Hon.
Ia u Moor nnV prp. as rDf
COLUMBIA University, who desired some service from
the library. MIR Bancrotrs conduct was altogether
one Of Tie tanst,ons Of the nnrarianmr.rhan. his
p. S 81 The I' nrs as sGSG AS
the library & L. Department ste;s sn$ NV
cory given out BY the librarian II is OF ne utmost
~ sops. = ex.st NJ .nsrsn i not .ttsifor H..
t w,y '"a his I.
Responsible correctness of tic laws he IS
lie is with no tact. no skin, for directing hi.
.Ss.ns hmsSi, Of Their rSiss aud sios.thera
n sn "a 'h fhs dy ns
reproach myself With is that have not sooner made
.n Ss :pss Il hay. not the .snssss ~
TO m Nj tut S h ana
to state the reasons FOR hi. removal from the Office
u Mr Xndrsw Il Alien has bee" Appointed succeed
m at a time. or Ii
the Department OF state Ito o. iirrvmt4
he succeed as librarian.
The Department o: state never changes its subordi
officers except for gooi and sufficient excuse In
the three years NOR" that have been in Office
have removed requested the resignation OF but two
men-suhort!nute clerks ot the lowest HraIe-Doth tor
undu. and excessive absence from duty. The depart.
lnen has always been 1T snguished for the long
ure the mark ed ability and fathtuiness of its cicr
iral force. 1t bad this characteristic before
the civil service rules were Instituted. In
fact from the first Secretary OF Sinte Mr. Jefferson to
this the hppoiutnes OK the Department have rec
rviIly maintained in their places during cool be.
hnvio-. inquiry whatever into their political
opinions 1t has been the purpose and the am b"n Of
Secretary in turn to maintain the character OF
tho Depart In this respect nviolate. Respect.
fully submitted, JAMES u. BLAINE.