New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-12
EXPL1NITLONS WINTED.


aft protractcd period Of service at Panama
is an act which somebody connected with the
| Administration ought to explain. 1t is gen
| orally understood at Washington that Secre-
tary Gresham has no influence in securing APP
pointmcnts for the diplomatic or consular ser
vice. He is held responsible for the policies Of
the Department, bat has apparently been re-
lcvcd from the official duty of considering ap-
pli All ms for vacancies in the service direct Il
by him. That is matter Of practical polite,
which is rclcgatcd to Il subordinate. Nlr. Quincy
presumably on account of his official conncc-
ton with National Democratic headquarters last
year. Pos IDLY Mr. Quincy can tell why il was
necessary - remove from Office the oldest mem
Der of the United states consular service in
order to make room for a candidate favored by
the Canal Company and the Panama Railroad.
Mr.. Adamson had been in the consular scr
vice over thirty years. He had held many i'm
por;ant posts, and was respected wherever hc
was known. He had been Consul n Honolulu.
Melbourne Pernamburo and other foreign ports
before his appointment under Secretary Eyai>
as ConSul-Gcncla at RIO d. Janciro. There his
service was marked by courage and honesty in
exposing scandals connected with the admins
tration of that Office. Thence he was trans
ferrcd to Panama where for many Yeas he
represented the United states with conspicuou,
intelligence and efficiency. During the canal
revclS he was almost the only American on the
Isthmus who never list his senses His func-
tons were largely diplomatic. and h. exercised
greater influence over President Nunez and the
Colombian officials than any other foreign
representative. At the same time his judgment
respecting the practIcability of the canal scheme
was uncrrng and was indicated in due time
by the collapse of the enterprise. The files of
the state Department bear witness 10 the abil
ity tact and practical Nagaclty with which he
represented American interests AT Panama.
Dming Mr.. Ccvc.and'S first Administration
Consul General Adam>on was secretary Bayard :
chief adviser when the revolutionary outbrcal,
made il necessary for the Navy 10 land marines
after the burning of Colon, and t. protect the
property of the Panama Railroad. In that
crisis the city of Panama was in imminent peril
BY the testimony of the President Of Colombia
and the Archbishop Of Panama it was largely
through Mr.. Adamson prompt action in over
ruling the hasty decisions of naval officers and
in obtaining Secretary BayaId's intervention
that the city escaped the fate Of Colon. His
services were warmly appreciated by President
Nuncz, and were generally recognized on the
lsthmus. While his lack of faith in the canal
enterprise had never been concealed, he was
personally popular, and was respected by every
one having dealings with the Consulate. No
member Of the consular service had more
honorable record than Mr.. Adamson.
We learn on what appears to be Trustworthy
information that Mr.. Adam>on did not desire
to leave the consular service, with which he
had been connected since Iincoln's time and
that he has been virtually removed. Since
appointments We trust that Mr.. Quincy will
promptly explain the motives for a fragrant act
which does not square with the Presidents
professions of interest and faith in Civil Service
Reform. Is the country to understand that pro-
tIactcd experience and eminent fitness for con
suar work will not Justify the retention Of vet
Grams appointed under Republican Adminisra-
lions? There is Consul Baker, who has been
in BucnoS Ayrcs since Grants Administla-
ton, and has proved himself most efficient
man. Is he 10 be forced out? And is Con-
sul-Gcnoral Williams. tho bcst-informed Amcri-
can in Cuba TO abandon a most important Office
TO some ambitious Democratic partisan, in order
that a political debt incurred by Mr. Quincy
and his associates last year may be paid? In
formation on these matters from the business
end Of the State Department will be timely.