The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-05

Inc DltoEAtllA III AiAS tiat0SAbC announces
that 1876 consulships have been placed I'M
der the civil service rules. Hereafter APP
pOlntments to vacancies at these posts will
he made either from other state depart
rnent positions or from those who have
passed satisfactory examinations before
a board consisting OF the third assistant
secretary OF state, the solicitor Of the de-
partment OF state and the chief of the con-
sular bureau. An idea has prevailed. and
q is perhaps warranted. that our consular
service can be improved, and If the exec
utlve order Of September 20. 1885, results
in bringing about the desired improve
ment, there will be no serious complaint
made because the presidential patronage
has been reduced.
A good deal OF abuse has been heaped
upon this highly important foreign service.
and much OF it has been undeserved. 1t is
a well-known fact that many incompetent
people have been sent 20 foreign posts to
represent the United States. and that they
have reflected very little credit upon them
selves or the government they represent
ed. They have been persons OF no breed
few instances their retention in Office has
been a serious detriment to our CONNER
c!al interests abroad. These. men arc the
exception, however, but their inefficiency
has been such as 70 reflect upon the whole
consular service. and make the people be-
iieve that Il IL entirely made up OF Doors
and blockheads.
rl4a ruth Of n ma a that
sular service VIII compare very favorably
with that Of other countries. II is true
that IN many cases the consulships have
been distributed around as political re-
wards. and that often party hacks and
played-out politicians have secured the
plums. but, as rule. the efficiency Of the
service has been kept up TO fairly high
standard Bismarck once said that our
consular reports were better. fuller and OF
greater worth than those OF any other
country, and such commentator would
never have been given had our consulates
been filed with a crowd of hungry heelers.
such as they are often described to be.
There is no doubt the service can be
improved. but whether putting II under
the civil service rules viii DO II. remains
TO be seen. II the examinations 10 which
applicants are TO be subjected are SINH
lar 10 those now held IA other govern
mental departments the chances are we
shall lie furnished with a consular ser
vice inferior 20 that we now have. II the
examinations require a knowledge or for
eign languages. slight acquaintance
with consular and maritime law and so
much Of international law as relates TO
the rights OF citizenship, II is very proba-
bic those passing such examinations VIII
in some respects be better equipped for
the foreign service than a good many now
holding Office. But 81 the test requires
answers TO a lot u insane questions as
to the height OF the mountains OF the
moon and kindred queries. successful
examination viii by no means be a guar
autea that the applicant is lifted fer the
duties he Is expected TO perform
The president seems TO be solicitors as to
the personnel or the consular service. but
great many people viii seriously ques-
ton the sincerity OF professions made at
this late day. when he vas inauguratod
In 1898 he found our consuiates filled gen-
orally with men OF good repute and quail
fed ny experience 70 perform their duties
efficiently Mr. Joseph Quincy. the star
Mugwump civil service reformer OF Bos-
ton. as an assistant secretary OF state
did not seem 90 have the same ideas on
elgvatinE the service which Mr. Cleveland
now expounds IN so sanity way. and
consular heads fen right and LETT. Many