The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-22

The reorganization of the Consular Ser
vice is one Of the pet themes among the
higher officials of the State Department.
1t is said that the advantage which would
dow from a reorganization of this branch
of the Government service has been called
TO the attention OF Congress from time 10
time by those who saw the growing neces-
sity for some legislation in that regard.
The Department of State has long recog-
2ized the inadequacy Of the Consular Ser
vice 10 he growing needs Of the country
E I'd to the proper protection OF the bust
ess and property Of our citizens residing
broad, either for business or the pleasure
of travel.
Secretary of State Livingston, In 1888.
aud Secretary OF State Buchanan, in 1916,
called attention TO the evils existing in the
service. but it was not until 1884, when
Secretary Of State Frelinghuysen discussed
the subject In his exhaustive report, trans
mitted to Congress by President Arthur.
March 20. Of that year, that the strong
necessity for action was made apparent.
In ii he said:
Until recently the demands OF Europe,
exports, and the condition of the produc-
ing countries were such as to give US con-
troll in the supply Of certain products such
as bTcadstuhs. provisions cotton, and pc
troleum, etc. The demands Of Europe for
all these products and of the other conti-
nents for petroleum especially were so
positive. and our producing conditions SO
favorable. as to give US practically mo-
nOpOly for their supply.
These conditions OF international de-
mand and supply are undergoing radical
changes, which the near future Will inten-
sify.
1.-THE efforts which have been made and
which are being made by Europe to en-
large the field of supply in the above
mentioned products, aided by the ambition
which prev nils in all countries for the de
velopment of natural and artificial re-
sources to meet their own wants and to
supply the wants of others, have resulted
IN awakening competition for the supply
even Of those products which We have
heretofore controlled. 1t is true that thus
far this competition has not affected our
trade to any appreciable extent but the
desire for development which is now
abroad and the ambition which prevails
to increase the production (outside of the
United States) of the foregoing articles
render consular supervision OF absolute
Importance. The complex commercial re-
lations and Industrial interests which now
prevail in Europe have originated hostility
10 American products in many countries
and afford additional reasons for the en-
largement and perfection Of the Consular
Service"
The same necessity has been pressed
upon the Government at home by Ameri-
can representatives in the service abroad.
In 1864 John Bigelow. Consul at Paris,
wrote:
The practical results Of our system.
which in this respect has 10 parallel under
any other Government, are:
That We are obliged 10 select our con-
suleT post men without the proper train
ing End qualifications.
We are obliged 70 select men who have
no Intention OF making a career in the
Consular Service. Consequently they have
no great inducemert to qualify themselves
properly for a pest which they can hope
10 hold only for brief term by the acqui-
sition Of knowledge Of little or no use to
them in any other profession.
The fact that our consuls are so tran
STORY deprives them Of their proper infiu-
ence in the consular body as well as In
most political and social circles where 1t is
the interest of the Government that they
should circulate
Such frequent changes prevent any
thing like uniformity or regularity In the
conduct OF consular business which re-
suits in a serious prejudice to commerce
and grave inconvenience TO the De-
partment.
With each change of Administration
the Government is exposed to lose the
benefit Of whatever knowledge and infiu-
ence its agents have acquired during their
terms Of service. and thus most of the
time IS served by raw and, therefore. to
considerable extent, by incompetent. Of
fcers.
There is no other country in the world
where the tenure Of the consular office
IS dependent upon the permanence Of
the homo Administration. Nor can the
preetiee be defended by any consideration
whatever which looks to its usefulness
and effc.el-Y.
Changes in the Service.
Robert Adams. jr.. when United States
Minister to Brazil, in 1889. wrote in the
North American Review
The method by which abe men are
chosen for the positions necessarily
brings forth poor candidates. while the
short tenure OF Office. which is generally
limited 10 the Presidential term, almost
Certainly so il q change OF party takes
place. and the meagre salaries paid-in
some posts hardly sufficient to support
life In a respectable manner-deters COM
pet5nt men from entering the service
1t should also be remembered that there
= ~ promotion for efficient service; that
consul can not hope for change OF
climate from a trying TO a more health
full and genial one after q given period
Of service, and that there Is always the
Heurich's beers surpas all others in purity. age.
and strength Phone ga, Arlington BottliIt,