New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-23
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
MR. YRARRAzvAL AND HIS DISTINCTION
IN POSTAL WORK.
Mr. sPoFFoRD TO RETAIN HIS PLACE AT THE
HEAD OF THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. MIL
ILoNAIREs IN THE sENATE-THE
BRIcEs AND THE ALGERs.

HEAD OF THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. MIL
IIoNAIREs IN THE sENATE-THE
BRIcEs AND THE ALGERs.
Washington May 22-The Postal Congress con-
tinues to occupy public attention. and its delegates
are In constant evidence at the theatres at social
functions and In the public buildings, while the
Hobbies Of the hotels, where French, Spanish and
German are as frequently heard as English. have
acquired quite a cosmopolitan character The VISIT
ing foreigners express admiration OF the capitol
and congratulate themselves that speciai Session
of Congress enables them TO see this body al WORK.
but OF all delegates no one is more enthusiastic
than Ramon Yrarrazval. OF Chill whose name Is
as difficult for an English tongue TO pronounce as
II looks
There is nothing in this country this distinguished
gentleman has so far met with that ne docs no'
regard with appreciation. The climate, the people
the methods in vogue excite his admiration ana ne
expresses astonishment ct the prosperity he wit
nesses every hand.
Mr.. Yrarrazvals reception hero has oeeh an UNI
usually warm and gratifying one, OWING u INC
popularity OF the CHILEAN Minister. MI ua''a' one Oh
the agreeable and interesting members vi 'he
Diplomatic Corps His many friends are glad OF
the privilege to do honor TO his compatriot; which
NAV in a measure account for this gentlemans
him cannon fail to make friends for this great Re
public of North America among me pScS Se is
Mr. Yrarrazval who is of the Spanish t type dis,
past fifty, although he appears younger has nS en-,
oyed long and SS snerea While e he was
SIN very Young man. lie was for time IN the
dpiomac branch of the Sns
and Of the Municipal Council of Santiago. IT Is MS
ok in Pa w Se longest and
which his reputation must stand for TO MN iore
Jsn 20 s a m operation in his country which
Is claimed TO be superior TO that OF any vou INV IN
the American continent, ana equai 10 any III
Europe
For moro than a quarter OF century MI
Yrarrazval has been Director-General OF the Chi,-
ton Postal Department an Office that corresponds
10 the Postmaster-Generai of the Unlted otates'
and during his administration he mas cduseu w o0
adopted every idea in regard 10 pos'ai a"
which has been proved TO be practicai anu uso.ui'
no matter where II originated and mas
In the CHILEAN postal system all that Is pes' Il. '.'
various nostal departments of to-day IN no couN-
trv IL the postoflce OF greater use 10 us ol'i%e'
than in Chilli .. .,o
Money orders parcel delivery. sight drafts 'he
c. O. D. system subscriptions 70 Journals ama
books OF Identification are some o. Inc con,
that Mr. Yrarrazval has introduced INTO 'ii0 p
ss.cr, If his country, and he is constantly stuuy
ing how to extend ard improve It. mat HIS WIN
&c apDreclated by his Government is eVioehceo D!
the fact that he was sent to vienna anu "s"iA -
washington 10 represent her. and that for more
'n,s !rarrnzva ,s a man Of broad culture. widely
,raticIled and an Interesting talker. Unfortunately
he sneak. no English. and his audiences at the
Capital limited to those VINO h carlos
Iarrain the Chief of the Foreign service Oh t i
Postal Department who acts as secretary and m
iernrcter Of the delegation. Mr. Larrain is Young
man OF agreeable peTso1aty e awyGr e VITA
.bn nCstaI service on the adjournment OF Con,
gress Mr. Yrarrazva and Mr. Larrn nave bIart ba
foreign postal systems.
I, is stated on the authority, that Mr.. Spot
ford will not be relieved OF his present POSITION pu'
will be allowed 10 superntend the moving into the
now library Building organizs the library under
tho rulos which were adopted by Congress during
tho last session. and continue IN his present posi-
ton as long his strength endures ana uh''i ne
asks TO be retired In the light OF MS ioHs anu
faithful service. and the part he has played IN 'he
building of the library the unfounded gossip
that the President contemplating either re-
moving him or reducing him from his present post
70 that of an under librarian Is unwarranteo ana
cruel In the extreme
For thirtv-nve years MI spofford has been con-
,oo,oa with the Confessional Library, and tina
Glory ~ his appointment 10 a position there ID an
interesting one AT the beginning OF the war ne
was a reporter THE Cincinnati Commercial
md was sent East TO report the Battle or bul run
HIS colleagues on this occasion were Mura. ma
.tood willard Boynton and Whitelaw Keld oh
,t NV home Mr. Spofford stopped for few Gays
a., 1.,.sb,neton and In his round OF sightseeing
visited the library OF which John Stevenson Oh
Kentucky was the librarian. HIS WISH proven !"
have been an opportune one. Mr.. SteVehsoh was
tired OF the position. The salary was small oiiis
e. ON the work onerous. the responsibility great
ca no was anxious TO surrender his position and
return home 70 practise law; II that were not pos
sible he wished to find some one VINO wou.o reneFo
b,r, from a part at least. OF the responsibility
He had a long and interesting chat with MT
had and
knowledge of books and then and there onereo MN
,ha rosi,ton of assistant librarian, which Mr.
snorord accepted. From the hrst MS services
were Invaluable: he Instituted order anu system
and infused q new spirit into tho administrators oi
the affairs Of the library. Six months iatei' o' Wv
restoration OF NJ, Stevenson, President Lincoln APP
nointed him Lib. ,ran. which position ne mas heiu
continuously since
The nresen. Librarian of Congress is one OF inc
best known and one Of tho most Hteies'iHs az
picturesque officials at the Capital FOR 'hAi'9 "'
wears his spare wiry figure his pale earnest race
framed IN with smooth. slightly waVy h"'' VIM"
has grown from black 10 white IN the years iio mas.
stood behind the Librarians desk, nave DceIi lam"
lar N tho frequenters Of the library. lie IS a
native Of New England. the son OF Il Cohsies"
tional clergyman. and when he accepted the poS'
he now occupies only twenty-sx years oiu'
In manner and speech he has the reputation Oh
being sharp almost cross but no one less deserved
such q reputation He is, to be sure ABSORBED anu
preoccupicd and his language is simple ana direct'
bur no has that kndliness Of heart characteristic
9, nearly all scholars. II one can penetrate benea'h
their outer shell OF reserve and every one VINO mas
,asted him can bear witness TO his patience hlS
svmnathv and interest In the work OF others, espc-
ciaIly when that work brings them mo MS
province oo,c..,,
ness 10 respond TO the demands made upon hin by
literary societies schools. clubs lDraIles ana or
gan.zations OF every description Tor papeis anu
essays lie rot only acccdcs 10 every son
request but writes rev paper 1or eacH 0Ccastuii,
his conscience not permitting him 10 reau ,he Sa
- Nor twice. and although he IS often ABSORBED ana
preoccupied he is never TOO busy 10 atehG 20 as -
lining whether strictly pertaining 10 inc uu'ieS Vi
;The little daughter OF some Senator or !ie ,o
un go 10 lihrary for book: she uOes IOl hIIoM