Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1897-07-08

| SPOFFORD'S DECLINATTON
His Letter to the President Sug-
gesting the Appointment of
IA Younger Man

John Russell Young, the new
librarian to Congress, took
charge Of his Office yesterday, and
at once commissioned ex-Libra-
rian Spofford as the chief assis-
tant Further steps in the direc-
ton of reorganization will be ta-
ken deliberately.
Mr.. Spofford's letter to Presis
dent Mckinley, declining to be
| considered as candidate for re-
nomination, is as follows
Washington, June 2S, '97.
To the President The office
of Librarian of Congress is short
ly to be filed by Executive ap-
pointment, under provisions of
the Legislative act of February
19, 1897. AS the name of the
present incumbent has been wide>
Iy suggested for reappointment,
and, perhaps, urged by members
of Congress, though not by the
Librarian, ! desire to lay before
you some reasons why | should
prefer not to be considered can
didate.
My long and laborious service
of thirty-five years has now
brought me to somewhat ads
yanced term of life, where the
manifold duties of the position
already admonish me to increased
care in preserving that measure
of good health which has attended
me hitherto. The duties devoIved
upon me, onerous as they already
are, are to be largely extended
upon removal to the new Library
Building,
This extension of labor involves
the selection and organization of q
greatly increased force of library
assistants, the removal Of the en-
tire collections of the library from
their present quarters, their rear
rangement and classification IN
the new building, the undertaking
of q new and complete printed
catalogue of subjects, the increase
of the library by extensive selec~
tions Of books to repair its def
ciencies, the final supervision Of
the business of the register and
copyrights, and the daily conduct
land care of the entire library ad-
ministration. From undertaking
these multifarious and pressing
labors, especially with the per
picking task Of appointment, am
we'll convinced that prudent re-
gard for my health and strength
should dissuade me.
At the same time I desire to
give to the library the full
benefit of my knowledge and long
experience in installing it in its
new home, and to co operate il
. all its diversified interests II
5 rendering its administration ane
} advancement completely worthy
of the country and of the magni.
fcent home provided for ir BY
t Congress.
t In furtherance of these ends
; and with the sincere endeavOr tt
7 reconcile the proper care of my
health and attendant usefulnes!
with the highest welfare of th'
library. I should be pleased tt
relinquish to younger and able
= organizing hands the enormou
and wearing labors of the re
sponsible librarianship, and.
consistent with your desires AM
those of Congress, to assume tn
duties of Chief Assistant Librar
ian, at my present salary, wit
Especial reference to the wants o
Congress for aid and informa
tion, to the increasing demand
e of scholars in their widely ex
II tended inquiries, and to the in
: crease Of the library along tn
lines of its highest utility. re
: main. with high regard, yer
: respectfully.
= A. r. SPOFFORD,
Librarian of Congress: