The Springfield herald., 1900-05-25
CONGRESSIONAL GRIST-
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

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Senator Lodge has again reported the
bill for the reorganization of the con
sular service which hns been 30 earn
estly advocated by the National Busi-
ness League OF Chicago and CONNER
cial organizations throughout the coun-
try, but there is very little prospect of
Its passage, because 1t deprives Con
gress of the most valuable patronage
now remaining; and while the commit
tees of both houses show commendable
evidence of virtue by reporting such
measures, they are careful to see that
they do not become laws. The object
of the bill is to place the consular ser
vice upon n permanent basis, with ap
pointments and promotions made on
the merit system; to secure n corps of
consuls who shall be trained for their
duties, instead of filling 1t with pouti-
cal favorites. Under our present sys-
TEN diplomatic or consular officers is
usually removed as soon as he becomes
familiar with the duties of his office
and has qualified himself to perform
them. There nre few honorable and
notable exceptions. The proposed bill
makes the service permanent; 1t In
creases the salaries, abolishes fees and
provides for the advancement Of men
who demonstrate their ability and use
fulness.
Senator Mcmillan Of Michigan has
introduced a bill for new kind of
money to be called post "check notes."
fixed so that they may be made payn-
BILE to the order of any person to whom
they may be sent through the malls. On
the back of every note blank lines are
to be left to write the name, postoffice
and state of the payee and the sigma
ture of the payer, rs on ordinary bank
checks. Thus when John Doe owes
Richard Roe $50, instead of making out
check he can take an ordinary bill,
fill the blank lines with the words,
''pay to the order OF Richard Roe, Chi
cago, Illinois, John Doe" and stick on
4 two-cent stamp, which is intended to
pay the government for the trouble and
expense of doing the business. Thus
this note is worthless If 1t falls into the
hands of any other person than Mr..
Roe. who. however, is compelled to go
to the postOtiice and have himself iden-
titled before he can get 1t cashed. The
postmaster forwards the notes to the
treasury for redemption and new ones
are issued to n similar amount and In
similar denominations. The notes of
the Bank of England, which are print
ed on white paper with n good deal of
blank space, are frequently used in
a similar manner by common consent,
although there Is no law authorizing
such practice. Mr.. McAfillan's bill
receives considerable favor from the
postoffice authorities, as they believe 1t
will be a great advantage to the postal
service, but the treasury people do not
regard 1t with favor.
In the discussion In the Senate of the
question of providing armor plato for
battleships now being built notable
speech was delivered by Mr.. Lodge of
Massachusetts upon the necessity of
building up the United States navy
without delay. The speech was deliv-
cred with the vigor and earnestness
characteristic Of Mr.. Lodges discussion
OF public questions, and attracted much
attention. In opposing nn amendment
to delay buying nrmor plate until the
United States could erect Its own plant
he snid: II hope and believe that we
shall have no war. but a great feet Is
the greatest assurance Of peace. How
ever, we would be foolish. indeed, II
we should close our eyes to the posi-
bilities of the situation. We could new
er allow the Danish islands to pass in
to any hands but ours. The European
nation which should undertake to tnke
possession of those islands, right on
the road to the canal, and make them
great naval stations, would by that
very act become an enemy of ours. We
could submit to no such thing ms that.
The Monroe doctrine is great protec-
ton to the United States. Men of all
parties-Democrats, Republicans and
Populists, without distinction, adhere
to that. l am by no means sure that
some European nation (perhaps one
whose navy is now receiving such rap
Id increase) may not test the Monroe
doctrine. We may be called to protect
that doctrine In Brazil, or In some
other South American country. I am
not conjuring up fancies, but believe
the way to preserve peace is to have
such navy as no power In the world
would care to encounter"
The correspondent of the Chicago
Record writes. There is n movement
of some Importance in behalf of the
nomination of Jay l.. Torrey of Wy
oming for vice president on the Repub-
lican ticket. Colonel Torrey Is chief
ly known because of his long, patient,
persistent and finally successful effort
to secure the passage of the bank
ruptcy law. for which he came here as
the representative of the American Bar
Association. 1t took him several
years to secure that legislation, and in
the meantime he became well known
among the commercial and Industrial
organizations, the bar associations and
the legal profession generally through
out the United States. AT the begin
ming OF the war with Spain he raised
regiment of ranchmen and cowboys.
known as "Torrey's Rough Riders"
but was unable to get to the front.
The Republican leaders intend to make
n determined effort to carry the noun
tain states mt the next election, and