New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-19
THE REPUBLICS BUREAU CONTROVERSY

A MISUNDERSTANDING HAS ARISEN OVER THE
DIRDcTORsHIP.
Washington. March IS (speciaD.-An Interesting
controversy has arisen over the appointment Of
new Director Of the Bureau of American Republics.
The present incumbent is Clinton Furnish. He was
selected in the Cleveland Administration. on the
urgent recommendation Of Secretary Gresham
William Z. Curtis. who organized the Bureau, be-
Ing surnmarily removed TO make vacancy Presi-
dent Mckinley favors the appointment OF a sue
cessor 10 Mr.. Kurdish. and is Of the opinion that
Joseph p Smith. of Ohio is particularly well quail
fed for the place. Mr.. Smith was formerly state
Librarian OF Ohio and is man OF much ability
The management OF the bureau is controlled by an
Executive Committee, consisting Of the Secretary
OF State and the Ministers from Mexico, Brazil
Colombia and Venezuela.
Some inaccurate statements have been mace as
70 the attitude OF these Ministers on the PROPOSE
ton 10 make a change in the dictatorship FROM
what has been said il might be inferred that the
Ministers are earnestly opposing the appointment
Of Mr. Smith Remarks 10 this effect are ridiculous
and misleading The fact is that the Ministers
are not arrayed against Mr.. Smith. No personal
questions have entered into the matter. The bureau
Is virtually a mutual aid office. Not only this coun-
try, but the republics Of South America are IN
;erested In its maintenance The Ministers from
the four countries named wanted an efficient head
o. me bureau They were informed few days
ago that the President thought Of appointing ar
Smith. Then they called at the State department
and informed Secretary Sherman that under the
rules adopted by the Executive Committee last
june the director and other attaches OF the bureau
We're on something like a Civil Service basis. and
that II IL proposed name a new director
ne should be subject TO an examination as 10 IL
hess before appointment. Nothing was sald ior
or against DIR. Smith. In no sense was the repre-
sentation OF the Ministers protest
II l. question II the director Of the bureau Is
under anything like Civil Service rules secretary
saerman mas looked up some data on TINS pohi
[rom these II appears mat while the Executive
committee did prepare certain rules 10 govern ap.
yotntments AID promotions. there j. no record OF
.her approval by any country except the United
states. The proposed rules not therefore, IN
iofce OF course. the wishes OF all the South Amer
can Republics viii be consulted before new APP
p0.ntee u named President Mckinley Will observe
al the propreties IN this in other cases. But
the officials OF the State Department say there is
10 OBSTACLE In the way OF Mr. Smiths selection. as
sunlng mat the South American countries offer no
opposition o. him
The Office OF director OF the bureau Is not a
efreslcehual appointment In the sense that a con-
n Una Dy the Senate Is necessary. Under a
sric' construction OF the law creating the bureau.
- ~ probable that the Secretary Of State has the
,,sht 10 name director. A report has been pre-
tseu az the State Department for the President =
i..,DIHlhton which gives the law and customs re-
a.ns 10 me bureau The President will take no
~Hoh untl ne has carefully considered this report.