New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-28
CONSULAR REFORM.
lie credit.

Senator Lodge PNt'lIfni SP'''' Wv
reform ai the Board Of Trade dinner WIS III INV
with the position held by this )onrhai on '"''
imnortant subject for many years II ""' "u'!
contained an uncrring diagnosis OF the "''''I
nout effects Of political patronage III d'pas'ns
the character and paralyzlng the eh''E'N VI
the United States consular service pul II ''So
revealed practical remedy when coulh DE- '"-
forced by enlightened public OPINION we h"P'
that the Board Of Trade and DINER coIhihcr'i'i
hodlcs Of this town will set the example III ,'"'
dcmninc the present system OF poli'lc'i "i'i''"'
mou,s for the consular service ana ol ""'''''
inc tho radical measures Of reform "h'h -"
,,or Lodge favois. Congress VIII never '''
unon this question unless the pressure oil P""''
oninion can he brought TO bear upon " 'n'""-"
,h, rrincin,l chambers If commerce ana po''"S
Of trade in American elites
rho snoils system has been applied I" INC
consular service under The present Ahihh'''
,,on with fatal rhoroushnc>S and without '""'
ccolncni. The Secretary Of state WIS '"l
aside and m official subordinate. WI" n'd '"N''
an active part at National headquarters D" '"'
Democratic Presidential campaign. WIS 'n'n''
lied 10 li1nidatc political debts L" '"rp''"'"'
and individuals far ~ might hr pT"''''"''''
/ With Mr. Quincy ~ broker. the con>uihr s''N'''
WAS converted into u clearing house l'' S'''''"-
obligations incurred IN political 'ah'''s'
Since March E. lN.l3. n many rs -"' '"n,u',
have been removed and only - retained an" ~
This small minority not few ar" men VII" WIZ
annointed during the first cleveland Ahh''n''""
tion and allowed to remain IN Inc s'rN"' ""''"-
tho Harrison Administration. We 90 "o' ~
tenn, to deny that Republican ADMINISTRATION,
have made a political use ~ the patronage ~
the consular service. although We coh''hn '""'
the spoils principle has never b'rh carrie" ""'
Gu docrantly and wantonly n under the Pr'N'"'
Cleveland Government. Both policHi p"I"'S
are responsible for the degradation "i inc SET
vice This concession we frankly make III cal
inc unon the commercial bodies of ihiS '""n
and NJ other cities Ia interest themselves III the
subicct and 10 bring about the r'or-a'ii"''""
Of the service on business principles
| Tho remedy proposed by Senator Lodge Is inc
nnlica,ion Of Civil Service examinations 10 can
ddat,s for consuships The bill when he ms
| introduced i'm Congress provides for inc es'an-
usbmopt of an examining board empowered 10
ouos,ion applicants on such subjects rs ye"sra-
nhv history International law, and AT least one
! foreign language. Appointments under these
requirements will be confined TO candidates Old
tanning q certain percentage in their eNamlha-
flo, noners Without reference TO the details OF
This measure. we commend the general prin-
cinIo nc sound and wholesome. II Will take me
consular service ont of politics, aud Will make
character. natural capacity and aptitude for the
h,siDess ,bo requirements for office. II will dig
nifty and raise the standard Of the service ana
will bring it into line with the business Interests
of the country, which are now sacrlhccd through
] utofi M
Consular reform will begin. but not end, with
,bo substitution of merit and natural qlialca-
ton in place of political partisanship AS the re-
oujrcmcnts for entering the service. Nhen Il
candid,tc has obtained in appointment he ought
! to have security Of tenure so long rs MS con
duct iustifes his retention. He ought not to be
monaccd with removal whenever Il new admin
s,ration of opposite political faith comes into
power. He should have The assurance OF re-
naming permanently in the service when he has
once entered II. and Of being transferred from
most 10 most and regularly promoted whenever
he NAV deserve advancement. This Is the sys-
fem odopted by all the leading European coun-
| tries and It ought TO be introduced In the
American cons liar service We do not know
precisely how far Senator Lodge Is prepared 10
| On IN advocating consular reform but n system
of promotions with security of tenure Is The
logical conclusion OF entrance examinations ana
amendments based on merit character and nj
ness for office The present spoilS system is III
| terly indefensbc and a disgrace 10 the country.
| American merchants everywhere suffer from
consular incompetence and ignorance. and they
ought to bring their influence 10 bear through
the commercial exchanges so powerfully as To
| compel Congress TO enact radical reform meas
| ures.