The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-11-29
President Mckinney. Opportunity.

Commercial Traveller, ST. Louis
More than year ago this paper advocat-
ed the recognition OF commercial travellers
In the matter of appointment to positions
In the consular service Of the government,
urging in support OF that contention, that,
inasmuch as the functions Of our consul'r
agents abroad were almost entirely COM
mercial in their character. II was mex
pedient and not TO the best interests of
our industries to have those positions
filled with broken down politicians. Who
were utterly devoid of business qsal.ica-
lions and the ability to extend tho foreign
demand for our products, which condition
has prevailed to such Il great uxteas ncre-
tofore.
With a view OF presenting the, claims
OF commercial travellers In this CORRECTION.
to the next Observation-Disclosures II lie
republican or domocratic-the CONNIE. cial
Traveller took time by the toreock, AMI In
October 1898, addressed letters to the
most prominent statesman in each party
who were looked upon as presidential pos
sibiltics. concisey setting forth the facts
as here referred TO. and asking an express
sion Of opinion from each in regard thereto,
In due course of time replies we're re-
ceived from nearly all the gentlemen so
Traveller OF November, 1898. The cne Of
the greatest interest at the present tine,
however, is the following:
MIR. Burt W Lyon, Editor Commercial
Traveller, St Louis, Mo.
State of Ohio. Executive Department
Office of the Governor. columbus. October
% 1895. Dear Sir: Replying 10 your
inquiry. | have no hesitation in saying
that in my Judgment the commercial tray
elcrs have peculiar qualifications 'cr the
consular service, requiring, as " IL rs
business methods and onergy-that rs, as
Stunning the possession OF the other lcces-
sary requirements. My observation is that
there is no class OF our citizens more alert
TO the demands Of trade than our conf
mercial travellers Business men aerus-
toned to trade; knowing the value OF
trade and markets. are rc0Sired III Cur
consular service, and such men constantly
on the alert as the commercial 'ta'clrIs
are educated to be- would improve cur
business with the countries OF trc world.
| Very truly yours, VIM Mchiniey'
This letter from the gentleman VITO is
TO be the next president OF tie United
States certainly shows a ilatterinS fetog-
milton of the capabilities of travelling mt n
in the direction indicated, and while MIR.
Mckinley may not have thought ri the
time il was written that he might be called
upon to pass directly upon the merits OF
| the Proposition events nave so 'l"h9f'i W
as to make such a condition not only posi-
Bile but probable.
During the campaign just ended Mr. NC
Kinlcy had no more loyal, earnest. intein
gent and energetic supporters than those
| commercial travellers who were In harmony
with the principles enunclated /" tie pat
form upon which he stood AMI the opior-
unity will now be offered him to not ohV
show an appreciation for these services,
hut al the same time inject new nc Ai'
yisor into consular seryic, which has
To- wears been the laughing stock ot an
! the Great commercial powers OF the worlc'
Ne have an abiding faith In MI Mchm .
llsy's sense OF the eternal htnesN oi 'nihEs
sufficient to lead us to bslcvc mat tn'
tlair.. of any commercial trav2le.. who-!s
otherwise qualified, will receive careful
consideration at his hands, and our only
apprehension lies in the fact that as com
merrial travellers have never been seeker
after political plums a few men WHO haN'
bocn active throughout this campaign a.
self-constitutod leaders Of the profession
who have never taken an order n t1'i
lives as a travelling salesman, VIII ne Prs
in the field and the most Voraeious III tho''
demands for recognition. -
After March President Mckinney VII
have a splendid opportunity to rc'osh,Ar
fraternity OF 300 900 of the most int'lil'
cent and tireless toilers in the tounty
ct us see what we shall see.