Evening star., 1897-02-12
THE CONSULAR SERVICE
M. Adams Bill to htrodnce Civil Service
Principles into It.
Methods Of Examination
PropGeed.

The House committee on foreign affairs
has under consideration a bill prepared by
Mr. Adams of Pennsylvania, to introduce
civil service principleHfn the consular ser
vice of the country.
The bill provides that the President be
authorized to appoint commission to as
sist him in the reorganization OF the con-
sular service. to be composed Of two sena-
tors (both of whom are not to belong to
the same political party. and two members
Of the House of Representatives (both of
whom are not to belong to the same po-
litical party, and Ole officer of the De-
oartment of State.
The Offices of consular agent and vice
consul, except when such offices are held
by citizens of the United States. shall be
excluded from the present reorganization
and the compensation attached to each
office shall not exceed $3.50 per annum
which amount shall be derived from un-
official and notarial fees only. The offices
of consular clerk shall be transformed into
vice consul. and of commercial agent trans
formed into consul of the second class.
Classes of Offices.
The reorganized service 81 all provide for
the following classes of offices in the con-
sular service: Offices of consul general of
the first class, with a salary 10 each office
of 5000: offices of consul general of the
second class. with a salary to each office Of
5000; offices of consul of the first class
with a salary to each Office of $1,000; offices
of consul of the second class, with a salary
to each office of $500: Offices of vice con-
sui of the first class, with a salary to each
office of 800; offices of vice consul of the
second class, with a salary to each office of
81. 500; offices of vice consul of the third
class with salary to each office of 81 200,
and offices of consular agents 70 be paid by
fees.
Nh fha
and over the age of forty-five shall be ad-
rnitted to the consular service after the re-
organization herein provided shall have
been established but persons who shall
have been previously employed in the con-
sular service for a period of not less than
four years may be admitted up to the age
or hfty-fve years. Two-thiTls of the pres
ent incumbents of the consular offices shall
be gradually recalled within three years
from the date of the passage of this act:
those having the requisite age may he re-
admitted to the same grade of the service
they held on passing the prescribed exam
inatiOn or such lower grade as they may
qualify for.
Method of Examination.
The President shall also appoint board
of examiners. consisting of five members,
who are to be the civil service commits
sioners and two officials of the Department
Of State. The functions Of this board shall
be the following: 1t shall determine the
method of conducting the examina tions
for entrance and promotion in the service,
the scope of the subjects to be submitted
as tests of knowledge and all other mat
ters appertaining to the subjects of exam
nations: but this board Shall have no fur
ther connection with the plan of reorgan-
ization of the service, The subjects of ex
aminations admission to and for promo
ticn In the service shall be chiefly, but not
exclusively. related to the duties and the
Work OF the consular service. Promotion
to the grade of consul OF the first clas,
shall require passing an examina ton in at
least one foreign language. Candidates
VINO successfully pass, the examination to
the service shall BECOME eligible for ap-
peintment in the lowest grade of the serv-
ice according to the relative standing
OF theii examinations, except as provided
In section 8. Removals or d.smfssals from
the service shall takep place only on written
charges and proof of maleonduct or inefH-
cheney Of ary incumbent with due notice
and opportunity to be heard. All removals
shall be reviewed and finally determined
by board of officials of the Department of
state, and approved by the President.