The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-05
TRADE NEDps ABROAD.

into the columns of newspapers.
TRADE NEEDS ABROAD.
One of the clear advantages which has
come to the public opinion of the country
since the advent of the imperialist craze
springs from the fact which has been
forced on the public attention that, apart
from every other consideration, the entry
or the United States on the career of a
colonial power would be well nigh suicidal
in the present wretched condition of the
country's civil service
1t is really not necessary at all to con-
slider the question from the standpoint
OF Imperialism. One of the greatest liv-
Ing needs of our national government is
the establishment of trained and capa-
bic civil service. 1t is idle to expect the
extension of the idea to our state or local
public service until an adequate begiu-
ming at least is effected In our federal
service The question is in no sense a
partisan one. The force of the spoils
loea has been strong enough to put a
summary end to any serious thought
which has entered the mind of congress
or the executive for the past thirty years
or over on this score
PRESIDENT Cleveland, even, was not al
ways as true as he should have been to
the demands of the conurry III this re-
spect; but, when his policy is considered
IN connection with that which prevails
today under the guidance of the political
leaders of the stamp of Plat, Quay and
Hanna, 1t grows sublime Ivy contrast
1t Is not in the light of strictly political
employment that the Glob c desires to
consider the question. It is, rather, with
reference to the needs and demands of
growing foreign trade. The greatest
need of the country today in the direction
OF the spread and growth of
our foreign commerce is the Sc
lection and permanent retention in
consular positions of men fully charged
with the great responsibility which Is
theirs to the commercial we'll being of
their own country Everybody knows
that we have nothing that can compare
with the foreign service of nations like
England and Germany. This is so be-
cause the men entrusted with foreign ap-
pointments by those governments are ap-
pointed with an immediate view to the
conservation of their country's interests
and honor. There is no political consid-
GRAFTON to enter into their employment,
and their retention is certain so long as
their conduct is what it should be.
a vast trade awaits the United States
in the Orient. 1t IS plain that the exten-
sion of that trade in the volume whi2h is
possible depends as much on the char
acter and fitness Of our official represent
atives at the chief points of Oriental
traffic as on any other single circum-
stance. We have the good will of Rus
sla In q vast region Of the Orient over
which that nation is supreme. Under
the direction Of resourcefui and tactful
men that trade has hardly an apprecia
bic limit In Germany, too, as has been
pointed out before in these columns,
American products have splendid open
tEgs offered to them by reason of their
superior quality and cheapness if our
merchants have watchful and capable
n1en representing the United States. to
whom they can look for intelligent direc.
ton. Our consular reports are a great
aid. But until the United States learns
the lesson of the need of a permanent.
trained and capable body of representa-
dVes at central trade points abroad, we
must remain at a serious disadvantage
toward our commercial rivals.