The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-19
Poor SpOford.

Inc sttIUfSI mlnu luhI fO1ttf1DlHttS
AINswoRrH II. SPorroRp's name in indigo
ink on the psoudo-ofldml stationery Of the
Committee on Distribution will be stirred
less to indignation than to pity.
1t is quite certain that evca GROsvENoR
OF Ohio, whatever defects he might find in
S%poFPoRD's character, would never accuse
him OF being a hypocrite, or suspect him Of
cold-blooded merrenary impudenro,
We will state our theory Of Mr.. AIMS
WORTH r. S%PoFFoRD's share in the great
literary enterprise Of RICHARDSON and
BARCUs. and then dismiss him TO his own
reflections in the twilight solitude OF the
Lib7ry Of Congress.
II is right to say that this theory is based
upon certain unerring principles Of psy-
chology rather than upon direct informa-
tion or record evidence as in the case OF
the other members OF the Committee on
Distribution.
In the preface to the tenth volume OF
Messages and Papers OF the Presidents
Copyright, 1897, by JAMES D. RICHARD.
soNl that eminent historian speaks casu-
ally Of aid received from the Assistant
Librarian Of Congress in the preparation OF
the index:
81 have sought only To furnish reliable historical
data and well authenticated dennitions, and TO avoid
even the appearance Of An expression Of my own
opinion. It's proper 10 add that these articles have
all been read and approved by Mr.. a, r S~poPPoRD.
Chief AssIstAn, Librarian Of Congress. To whom |
now make acknowledgement OF my Indebtedness"
When the fraudulent operations OF the
agents OF the Committee on Distribution
were brought to the attention Of the House
last January by Congressman EDDY and
Congressman TAwNEY, Mr.. RICHARDSON
briefly described poor SPoFFoRD's connec-
ton with the business:
M TAwSEY,-l would also state that Mr.. SPoP.
poRp's name Is printed on the letterheada as Secretary
Of the Committee.
Mr.. RICHARpSON.-M %SPoFPoRp has been en-
ployed to assist, In an honorable way, IN the sale
OF the work"
Now, II is extremely probable that in
these two references to SPoFFoRD's partici-
patton, RICHARDSON rendered less than
justice to tho Assistant Librarians services
in the nctual compilation OF the ten
volumes, and much moro than Justice to
nv ulNi ~ ms II lU' ClIlNtlN
business department of the concern. Mr..
S%PoFFoRD Is a scholar and student whose
unsurpassed knowledge OF the photography
of American polit cs, and Of the exact
whereabouts Of historical material, has
been employed freely and gratuitously by
several generations Of Congressman. He
has not always got full credit for his pre-
vAnAArnnt alArA in tlA %.Al,,n. -
speeches, reports, documents, essays and
books whereon are inscribed other names
than his ros the title page or In the notice
OF copyright. We have no doubt OF RICH
ARDsoS's extensive Indebtedness to SPoF-
FoRD on tho literary and historical and
editorial side OF the undertaking.
But the idea that after the work OF COM
pilation was finished, and RICHARDSON had
secured unto himself the set OF duplicate
plates, and BARCrs and his intrepid bat
talon Of sleek takers had come TO the
front, SPoFPoRp's services could be OF any
value in promoting sales in an honorable
way, is enough to split the sides Of the
musty tones among which the Assistant
Librarian has spent his life. Perhaps no
other nan in the United States is less quail
fled by natural gifts and experience to ron
duct a bookselling campaign OF continental
dimensions organized upon Barcusian prin-
ciples. The poor old gentleman has not
always even been able TO keep straight his
own small official accounts and affairs; and
everybody who understands him knows 1t,
and knows why.
The usefulness Of AIYswoRTH X. Spor-
FORD to the Committee on Distribution
was measured by the eighteen letters Of
his name. That name meant much to
the hesitating subscriber, doubtful whether