Evening star., 1898-12-07
CONSULAR SERVICE REFORM
Objact of the Bill Representative Adams
Will Try to Have Passed.
The Proposed Reorganization to Be
the Work of a Special Commission
-Pcrmanency and Efficiency.

Representative Adams of Pennsylvania
will make strong effort during this ses-
sion of Congress to secure the passage of
a bill, which has been favorably reported
to the House from committee, providing
for a reform in the consular system of the
United States.
The measure aims to establish consul
lar system permanent in character like that
of Great Britain and other European ma
tons, composed of men experienced in
diplomacy, who shall retain their posts for
life or during good behavior. and not sub
ject to political changes in the administra-
ton at Washington.
Mr.. Adams will consult with Speaker
Reed this week on the possibility OF obtain
ing consideration of the bill. and he pre-
diets its passage If it can be brought be-
fore the House.
Mr.. Adams bill authorizes the President
to appoint q commission. consisting of two
senators ana two members of the House
of Representatives and one officer from
the State Department to aid him in the
reorganization of the service. The man
ner of carrying out the reorganization is
left to the discretion of the President, but
such reforms are intended must be ac-
compiished within two years after the pas
sage of the bill.
Classification of Offices.
The service as reorganiZed shall provide
for the following classes of offices, the in
cumbents of which shall be Americans ex-
cluSiveiy:
Office of consul general of the first class,
office of consul general of the second class,
consul of the first and second classes vice
consul of the first. second and third classes
and twenty-five consular clerks.
All fees, official and unofficial shall b"
accounted for and paid into the United
States treasury, the sole and only COM
pensaJion of the consular offices being their
respective sd aries. No person under the
age of twenty-one or over fifty shall be
admitted to the service, but persons who
shall have been previously employed in the
consular service for period of not less
than four years may be admitted up 10
the age of slxty-five years.
Examination of Incumbeuts,
The bill provides further that two-thirds
of the incumhents of the consular service
shall be gradually recalled for examination
within three years from the date of the
passage of the act. The President is direct
ed to appoint a board of examiners, con-
sisting of the three civil service commits
sioners and two officers of tha Stat. De-
partment.
Promotion to the grade of consul of the
first class shall require the passage of an
examination III at least one language
SpphFi bN III llnaD1tdnlS OF thA territory
IN which that officer is to represent the
United States. Candidates who pass the
examination for admission to the service
shall become eligible for appointment in
the lowest grade and in the procedure of
promotion nO grade shall be interconvertl-
BILE; that is to say, transfers from one po-
sltIon to another Of the same grade may
take place from time to time al the dscre-
tion of thu President or Secretary of State.
Need of Reform.
In speaking of the bin to a Star reporter
today Mr. Adams said:
The consular system of the United
States is vastly in need of Improvement
The difficulty is that we have not enough
trained and exper. .enced diplomats among
our foreign representatives. and some of
our foreign consulS are not thoroughly
qualified for their work when it comes to
handling intricate and delicate subjects of
diplomacy. What need is a trained
corps of diplomats who shall spend life
ti1le in the service, as they do in England
and other European countries, and who
shall not be subject to political changes at
the White House
"A startling illustration of the incompe-
tency of some of our consuls was shown
just prior to the brea king off of diploma tic
relations with Spain last spring Some of
our consuis in Spanish cities were unable
TO read or speak the Spanish language At
that time it was necessary. in order to keep
our government posted on important events
for them TO read the Spanish newspapers
and 10 converse with Spaniards in the cities
where they were our representatives. They
were unable to do either. and when they
sought information for the government
they We're obliged to rely upon the honesty
and truthfuIneSs Of the Standards to in
form them. They We're even unable to give
our government information on the move
mcnts of war vessels. which We're published
in the newspapers of Spain They were in
a sad plight and were of very little service
to the government. My bill seeks to cor
rect such evils of the service as this I
think it will pass