Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-27
COMMERCIAL CLUB
Called Upon to Use Its Influence in Certain Legislation-What Briar-
 field and Blocton Want.

The Birmingham Commercial club seems to be paving road in many ways which is being followed up by the commercial clubs all ove the United States. Not only the clubs in the smaller cities in the southern states are doing this, but even the National Civil Service Reform league of New York is following in line with our own club.
 The following letter was received by Sec. retary Thompson yesterday:
 NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 1895. Secretary Chamber of Commerce., Birming-
 ham, Ala
 My DEAR SIR: It is probable that through concerted effort on the part of those interested in administrative reform and in the commercial welfare of the coun- try, the bill now pending in the senate for the reform of the consular service may be passed during the present session of con- gress.
 Lodge on the 9th instant as an amendment to the diplomatic and consular appropria- tion bill, and in this form has been re- ferred to the committee ou foreign rela- tions. Its features include the creation of Q commission to assist the president in re- organizing the consular and diplomatic service on basis of merit and fitness; the classification of consulships and other po- sitions up to the grade of minister resident; entrance to the service ln future at the lowest grade only, after competitive exam ination; promotion from grade to grade through examination; removal only on charges; the fixing of adequate annual sal aries, and the abolition of all private fees.
 It is important to the success of the measure that immediate action be taken by commercial bodies throughout the country, calling upon the senate to pass it in it's present form and it will be most effective if the action taken be communicated through individual members of the. con- mittee on foreign relations-Senators Morgan, Butler, Gray, Turpie, Daniel, Sherman, Frye, Dolph and Davis.
 sented to the New York chamber of com merce at it's next meeting, and would urge earnestly in behalf of the Civil Service Reform league that similar action be taken by your organization at the earliest prac- ticable date. I shall be indebted for copies oflany resolutions adopted. Very sincerely yours,
 GEORGE MoANERY, Secretary.
 Here are the resolutions to be presented to the New York chamber of commerce:
 Whereas, This chamber has recorded it's opinion that appointces to the consular service Of the United States should be se- selected by an adequate civil service exam inaton, aud that the efficiency of this service demands permanency of tenure and promotion from the less to the more de- sirable places; and,
 Whereas, There is now KPasdiqg in the senate of the United States a l<zAsure in- JrOuuCeQ Dy SeQhtOr LOug6 lo64DTOVluo lOr the reorganization of the cd Nsnlar and diplomatic service which fulhlA the essen tial conditions considered by t-ys chamber necessary to secure efficient and 1Cred1tabie service,
 Resolved, That the chambe of com merce of the state of New York heartily approves this measures now before the committee on foreign relations ofthe sen- ate as an amendment to the dipp tic and consular appropriation bill, at fecom- ynandq ite aQriu hv hath hOua9S of congress.
 Resolved, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the members of the United States senate and house of representatives, and that the senators and representatives of this state be requested to contribute their best endeavors towards the passage of the measure.
 This resolution, while worded little differently, is in line with the one the Con- mercal club passed over month ago, and shows, moreover, how our club is keeping up to date in the grand work it is accom- plishing.
 WHAT BRIARFIELD WANTS. Secretary Thompson has received letters | from merchants at Briarfield asking the | club to do what it can in the way of getting | the Southern Railway to put on an accom- | modation train from Brtarfield and Blocton | to Birmingham.
 The desire of this move is to accommo- | date the people from those points and along that line so that they can come into | the city in the morning and after transact | ing business return iuIthe afternoon. The | putting on of this train, it is conceded, l will greatly benefit the merchants of this | city by bringingin considerable trade that | is otherwise lost.
 wAsHfNaToN BOARD OF TRADE.
 The Washington board of trade has sent | an invitation to the Birmingham Com mercial club, extending the use of their rooms at any time the club or any mem-
 bers of the club may have occasion to use | them.
 1 The IL s. G0X'f RenGrfS