The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-09-24

WASHINGTON. Sept. 23.-The Presi-
dent, by an executive order issued to-
day, but dated September 30, has ex-
tended the civil service system in q
modified form to all consular officers,
whose compensation directly or through
fees, range from 1000 to S2.5O0. This
will include about one. half Of the total
number OF consuls, who receive more
than $1,000. This change has been
gained by reviving in substance an old
order of 1873.
Vacancies in the service will be filled
hereafter by transfer or promotion by
appointment of unqualified persons
formerly in the employ of the State
Department. and by appointment of
persons selected by the President after
passing q non competitive examina ton,
The order reads:
"ENECUTIvE MANSION,
"Seps 90, 1895
'It being OF great Importance that
the consuls and commercial agents of
the United States shall possess the
proper qualifications for their respec tive
positions to be ascertained either
through satisfactory record of pre-
NiOdo oOsuol o0INtCo uuuHE ING D6D3r6-
mont OF State or through an appropria 20
examination:
1T is hereby ordered that any vacancy
in consulate or commercial agency
now or hereafter, the salary OF which is
not more than So, 500 nor less ian 81 900
or the compensation OF which, if derived
from official fees exclusive of notarial
and other uno f1icial receipts, does no
exceed go, 500. nor fall below 5000,
shall be filed by a transfer from some
other position under the D.partm ant
of State, but having previously served
hereunder to its satisfaction in a
capacity tending TO qualify him for the
poaition to be filled; or by the ap-
pointment OF q person who, having fur,
nishel the customary evidence OF char
actor, responsibility, and capacity. and
being thereupon selected by the Pres
ident for examination Is found upon
such examination to be qualified for the
posi- ion.
For the purposes OF this, ex- notarial
and unofficial fees shall be regarded,
but the compensation of consulate or
com merctsl agency shall be ascertained
II the Office is salaried by reference to
the Last preceding appropriation act,
and, II the office is not sal arled, by ref
erence TO the returns Of official fees for
the last preceding fiscal year.
THE examination heretofore pro-
vided for, shall be by board of three
persons designated by the Secretary of
State. who shall also prescribe the sub
jects to which such examination shall re-.
late and the general mode Of conducting
the came by the board
"a vacancy in q consulate can be
filled at discretion only when q suitable
appointment cannot be made in any of
the modes indicated in the second para
graph Of this order.
GROVER CLEVELAND"
The action OF the President in max
lag this order was based on q report
on the subject by Secretary Olney, who
has been giving much thought TO the
matter, and has had very careful ex-
animation made by Mr.. Renick, the
chief clerk of the department., of the his.
tory OF all that has been attem pied by
the State Department in former years
towards placing the consular servca
upon business-like basis and securing
the services of thoroughly competent
men a. cOnsuls.
The evils OF the present system are
set out tersely by the Secre tary in his
| report to the President.