New-York tribune., 1900-03-11
FOR CONSULAR REFORM.
BILLS To IMPROVE THE SERVICE NOW
BEFORE CONGRESS.
SENATOR LODGES MEASURE FAVORED BY
COMMERCIAL BODIES-A MERIT
SYSTEM PROVIDED.
SYSTEM PROVIDED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington, March 10-on March IA the Sem
ate Committee on Foreign Relations viii give
hearing TO the delegates of the Chambers Of
Commerce and kindred organizations who will
appear TO urge favorable action on the bill TO
remodel the Consular Service which Senator
Lodge introduced early in the present session
OF Congress. The kindred measure. known as
the Adams bill. introduced In the House or
Representatives. has already been favorably
recommended by the House Committee on For
eign Affairs. That the Senate will respond IA
vorably TO the arguments of the representatives
of the commercial bodies is more than probable,
as the committee in the last Congress put itself
on record as advocating a better consular ser
vice. For the first time. therefore, both houses
will have before them measure of this char
aoter which they can act on IL they choose.
ELIMINATION OF REFORM MOVEMENT.
From time 10 time a great deal has been heard
about the need OF a more stable and expert con-
sular service. but never before has regularly
organized and widespread movement been un-
dertaken TO secure legislation. The magazines
have printed many articles on the subject, nearly
every newspaper of consequence in the country
has discussed IL. no less than seven consular
reform bills have been introduced in the Senate
and House In recent years, successive Secretaries
OF State have placed themselves on record as
favorable 10 a change in the existing system,
but a crystaized practical effort TO secure a re-
modelled service has never fully materialized
until now.
Harry A Garfield. when he president Of
the Cleveland Chamber Of Commerce, made the
subject OF consular reform the keynote Of his
annual address. following resolutions in favor Of
the reform which the Chamber had passed the
year before. Other Chambers OF Commerce
passed similar resolutions, which were sent to
Washington and went TO swell the archives OF
Congress. MIR. Garfield's address was, however,
only the beginning Of his efforts He found an
active coadjutor in Gustav H. Schwab, of the
Chamber of Commerce Of New-York and to-
gether they have by active personal effort Sc
cured the cooperation OF every important COM
Tnercial body in the country. The basis of the
agreement which they insist demands attention
from Congress is that the enormous increase OF
late years in American foreign trade makes it
absolutely necessary that American consuls
should be efficient and experienced men-that
the Government is failing in its duty when 1t
neglects TO provide such men to guard the inter
ests Of merchants who are engaged in pushing
American enterprise abroad. They declare that
the events OF the last year will quicken the ex-
pansion of American foreign trade to phe-
nomenal extent, and provisions for better con-
sular service cannot .n dccency be longer de-
iayed.
FEATURES OF THE LODGE BILL.
The bill which Senator Lodge introduced is the
one on which they have concentrated the
measure most satisfactory to them. II provides
for reclassification of all the consulates begin
ming with Consuls General Of the frst class, at
$1,000 year. and running down to consulates OF
the lowest class, at S1,5o0 a year. there being
nine classes in all. Appointments are to be TO
classes, not TO places. so that the Executive may
TSTEf fTOT another,
cording 10 the eXigences Of the service, and per-
manence Of tenure viii not necessarily mean
unbroken service in one place. In this way IL
is thought that good consuls may be secured al
disa ereeable places. as they may expect
change or station after reasotaple isns si %
time. The present incumbents or consulates are
10 be brought into the new service, PROVIDED they
can pass the entrance examination New ap-
pointments are to be made after open eAallliLa-
Iion the names of five candidates who pass the
best examinations being sent to the President
and from these he may make his nominations
Promotions are 10 be from a lower to the next
higher grade but the Executive may skip a grace
in making selection, provided he makes publlc ms
reasons for doing So. After receiving his com
mission a new consul may be recalled ana
dropped from the roll at any time within year
without any being assigned hut after
he has demonstrated his capacity by year
satisfactory service he cannot be removed, eH-
cept for cause. and after having opportunity OF
defence No one Is TO be assigned 20 a post
where the Consul acts as Judge of the Consular
Court unless he has passed an examination In
the fundamental principles OF law. The Ex-
amiuing Board is TO consist OF the Civil Service
commissioners an official of the State Depart
rnent and a consul. The scope Of the examina-
tion is TO be left TO this Board. but it must
include az least foreign language and an
inquiry into the candidates knowledge of the
commercial resources Of the United States.
especially with reference to the extension or
American trade. The Executive is to have
power TO recall consul at any time and
eign him TO duty in the State Department or
any other special Government service for a
period of not than year. All notarial
and other unofficial fees which now go into
xer
TO receive his sole compensation from his salary.
FAVORED BY X-SECRETARIEs.
These are the main features Of the Lodge bill.
It is announced positively that ex-Secretary
John w. Foster has pronounced IL the most
satisfactory measure that has thus far been
prepared. and ex-Seeretary Day is said to have
expressed himself favoring this some other
measure having the same object in view.
The advocates Of the bill do not declare that
the service as it now exists is wholly bad. They
say that it's chief fault is the inexperience OF
the incumbents and the quadrennial upheaval
which retires all the experienced men into pri-
vate life, and substitutes men. who are
worse than useless for a year or more, until
they have learned their duties. They say.
also that il is surprising that the service has
any redeemirg features, as the appointments
are made with so little reference 10 its needs.
The object now sought is TO draw out the large
class Of young men who have had some COM
uaercial education. who speak foreign languages,
who have studied international law, and who
Will be glad 10 embrace the Consular Service
as a career in which there VIII be permanence
Of tenure during efficiency and good behavior
and promotion as reward for these qualities.
REPORTS OF THE SUPREME COURT.