New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-21
MR.. BANCROFTS REMOVAL.
SECRETARY BLAINES LETTER TO THE
PRESIDENT
THE LATE LIBRARIAN OF THE STATE DEPART.
MENT WAS UTTERLY INCOMPETENT--THE
WITHDRAWAL OF HIS NOMINATION As

THE LATE LIBRARIAN OF THE STATE DEPART.
MENT WAS UTTERLY INCoMPETENT--THE
WITHDRAWAL OF HIS NOMINATION As
CONSUL At BRUNSWICK REQUESTED.
Washington. May 90 secretary Blaine has ad
dressed the following letter TO the President In rela
hon to the removal Of Mr. Bancroft
Department OF STATE, Washington May 90 1892
To the President:
respectfully request that withdraw the nomination
of Frederic A. bancroft NcwYork letc Librarian Of the
Department Of State for Consul at Brunswick Germany.
There is an amable tradition in the Department OF state
that removed from It's service without being az
pointed smother Place nothing morally or personally
offensive is attributed to him. In accordance with this
practice, and very careful considerations procured
the nomination OF Mr. Bancroft consulshp at Brun
wick. His record librarian would been not rc
moved but merely ransfered to consular service
Mr. Bancroft did not desire this arrangement and
appealed the newspapers with no little acrmony
ment considerable personal discouresy myself
assume that the newspaper accounts procured
hin, inasmuch he advised me in personal interview OF
his intention TO do
The cause Of his removal librarian was his utter
unhtness place. He has not in any sense what
may be termed the talent" Of the librarian and four years
failed develop the slightest improvement him.
His ability Is doubtless sufficient some other calling
but librarian he has aptitude Mr. Dwight his
accomplished predecessor, Librarian Of Public
Library Boston had trained number OF assistants who
became very efficient men, Mr.. bancroft shortly after
who had teen in his place for nearly nine years, with the
that the gentleman vas transferred another lu
Department and his invaluable services
lost the library
Mr. Bancroft quarreled with another gentleman who he's
connected with the rolls ana is thoroughly equipped
for his place which he has filed for long time, and To-.
day practically ntercome between them, which
is totally against the interests OF Tho public service.
During the last summer Mr. Bancroft Quarrelled
with Third Assistant Secretary of State, The Hon
John b. Moore now professor international law in
Columbia University, who desired some service from
the library Mr.. Boncroft's conduct al
together censurabe. and II justice had been
done hs would have instantly removed.
Of the functions Of the neutrality-suspicious. his
important function-is that in connection with the pro-
mul CATION OF the laws. The laws, they
approved by the President. deposited Depart
Of State, and the first copy is given out BY the
librarian. 1t is Of the utmost Importance that proofs
be accurately read. and that the copies Ire exact. Mr.
Bancroft is fitted for this duty. He is educated
proofreader. and many wholly escape his OBJ
Thus although responsible for the correctness
OF the laws, lie IS unable guarantee It, He IS man
with tact skill for directing his interiors in office
for eiciting their sympathy eva!ng himself OF their
abilities aud is altogether foreign and irritating element
In the Department. usually harmonious in oil It's branches
The only thing repioach myself with that have not
sooner made the change in tho library.
Despite all these facts. have the slightest il-will
toward Mr.. Bancroft and was willing a. indicated. to
him; but he has made II incumbent on me to
state of his removal fem the Office Of librarian
| have frankly done
Andrew H. Allen has been appointed N succeed MI
Bancroft He connected in various capacities at
different times for eight yeas with the Department OF
State lie Is graduate OF Harvard Of 1873. OF studou
tastes and habits and IL IS hoped he may succeed as IL
brarian.
The Department Of changes It's subordinate
officers except FOR good sufficient IN the three
vears or more that in office have removed
or requested the resignation Of but two men, subodhdt'
clerks Of the lowest gradeboth Tor undue ana excessive
absence from duty The Department has always oeel
distinguished for the long tenure the marked sonY ana
,L,uo =, TIA clerical force IL had this Characteristic
before the Civil Service rules were Instituted In act
t,om .he first Secretary OF State. Mr.. Jefferson, 70
this hour the appointees Of the Department have been
ricdy maintained in their places during good behavior
with no inquiry whatever into their political opnioh-
7, has been the purpose and ambition Of sch scre
try in turn 20 maintain the character OF the DepaL
meat in this respect inyioate Respectfully submitted
JAMES G. BLAINE