The times., 1897-07-02
MR. sPaFFORD HIS ASSISTANT
s.xsE-five New Places to BE Filaea
IsGt 10 Hurry in Making Appoint
Inents-Ihe Work OF moving the
Boohs- AR. Speffora's Letter to
the President.


chief clerk Of the Supreme Court. Mr.
Youne's first officiJd act was tie appoint-
ment in writing OF MT. Spoiford as his
chief assistant. This was d pleasant and
agreeable duty for Mr. Young TO perform
and was in accordance with the wishes
OF the President. When, a few days ago,
Mr.. Young and Mi. Spofiord talked over I
I-ftrary matters WITH tine President MI
RatsK lIsIey TOLD MIR. Young that le %Hfs5ea /
Air SpufTord retained in TINS capacity, 10
tl4s1 ne could give hls entire JlIne 10 Inc
book work of theinstitution and be useful .
To Congress and the nation On account or
tfs e1zprrience with books and theiT con-
TENTS.
AfEtr hrs fnauguTatiUn as the head OF the
fusatution, Mr.. Young returned 10 the
Library, where he had long conference
wfch Mr. SpofTord relative TO the work
and the needs OF the Library. he viii
hereafter be found at the Library daily,
giving his personal attention TO Tie re-
organization OF the institution over which
ne VIII preside The matter of appoint
Inents VIII be taken up very slowly and
Carefully.
Ithas been stated that there are some
thing Ike 700 places TO fill. This is an
error There are now AZ persons EN-
ployed in the Library proper Under the
reorganization there VIII be 1O7 IN all,
thus leaving but 90 new positions 10 be
filled In addition TO this there are a
few more than eighty places That come
under the superintendent OF the Library.
SO far as the appointments TO places
in the Library proper are concerned, they
VIII be made with an eye single 10 the lit
ness of the applicants and all assistants
VIII be chosen 10y reason OF their special
ay3titnde Tor the work Of the library
This appears to require, both in the cata-
keg1e department, in the work OF classifica-
tion, and in the service OF books and in
formation. experts who have had ex-
perience in library work, OF training In
schoo. OF library science In the copyright
Department, where only clerical work Is
required, there are but six new assistants
provided for.
K VIII therefore be readily seen that
the recommendations for places in this
library win not he on the Endorsement only
OF a member of Congress Special quail
fications VIII be required, and il Is under
stood that MI. Young viii insist that
these qualifications be possessed by every
one apnlying foI c place There VIII be
DO hurry about TIE matter for these en-
ploVes will not be needed until the Library
has been removed. Mr.. Young has not
vet given the subject attention
Tire real work OF removing the books
will begin when Congress ad ioTDs- Already
a20De0 volumes, representing the duph-
cate sets and thecollections thathave been
donated TO Congress, have been removed.
No prediction would be made yesterday as
TO tine probaEjie time il would require to
move the library, but it was suggested
that the removal Of the Boston Library,
containing only about one-third the num-
beS. OF books, required seven weeks. ow-
Ing 10 the superior arrangements here how
ever, tits aot thought thatneaIly 50 much
time VIII be required. and long before Con-
gress gain meets the library VIII be
housed in its new home and in good work
ing order.
LitJra rian spofscrd has consented TO make
public the letter he wrote TO President Nc
Kiiiley, declining TO accepta reapp0intmenu
o. librarian OF Congress. TIE letter ex-
85iaTrE itself ans is as follows
Washington, June e8, 1887.
Tothe President: Theoffice OF Librarian
OF Congress is shortly 10 be filled bg Elk
-eoEsiEe appointment, under provisions of
zl,e Legislative act OF February 19, i $50.
AS the name 1f the present incumbent
mas been widely suggested for re-appuint
nent, and perhaps urged by members oil
Congress, though not by the Librarian.
desire SO lay before you some Reasons
why I should prefer not 10 be considered
a candidate.
My long and Iallorieus service OF thirty
five haC ne tn a
wlgat advanced term of life, where tie
manifold duties OF the position already
sdmoEish me TO increased care in preserv-
ing that measure OF gcod health VIII Ii
has attended me hitherto. The duties de
Ea1red upon me, enormous as they alFeaiy
are, al re TO be largely extended apon re
moval to the new Library building.
This extension of labor involves the
selection and organization of a greatly
darreased force of library assistants, tie
removal Of the entire collections of :he
library from their present quarters, tneir
Encouragement and classification in the
new building, the undertaking Of "A new
and complete printed catalogue OF sub
5eots. the increase OF the library by ex
tensive selections OF bOuks TO repair it.
deficiencies the final Supervision of tkt
ard the daily conduct and care of tn,
entire library administration From un
dertalzing these mulufarious and press
ing Laiaors. especially with the perple X
ing task of appointments, / am vel
convinced that prudent regard for mr.
health and strength should dissu8de me
AT the same time, / desire to give Il
the Library the full benefit Of my knewI
edge and long experience in installing il
in its new home. and 10 Cooperate in al
its diversified interests, in rendering itl
administration, and advancement com-
pietely worthy of the country and of th,
magnificent home provided for it by Con
gress.
In fmfherance OF these ends, and with
the esinceTeepdeaTor toreconcilethe proper
care o. my health ard attendant useful
ness with the highest welfare of the Ii
fTarT, I should he pleased 10 refinquisf
60 r0Huger aud ahle organizing hands tht
oneroris and wearing labors of the re
sponsifde librarianship, and, if consistent
with yot:r desires and those of Congress
20 assume the Duties of chief assistant H.
braz1ar at rny present salary, with special
reference 30 the wants OF Congress fol
sid aud information, 10 the incres sing de
Faan6s OF scholars In their widely ex
tended inquiries, and 10 the innrease Of
the Library along the lines of its highest
kHsis1v. ] remain, with high regard,
Very respectfully,
:Signedl A r. SPOFFORD,
librarian of Congress