The times., 1901-03-23
OUR CONSULAR SERVICE.
The Merit system Debated by Co.
Iurnbinn Law students.

The Columbian University Law School
Debating Society at is regular weekly
meetirg held at Jurisprudence Hall last
night discussed the question, Resolved,
that appointments 10 the consular ser
vice of the United States should be made
10y competitive examination The aftirma-
tive Of the question was supported by +.
W. Frick, Luther NJ Walter, and J. Il.
Hawiey. while the negative was uph I'D
by j. + Bethune, 6. r. Swift, and T. c.
Clendening. j. W Cox acted as critic,
and the judges were l.. W. Vincent.
George Pines and +. H. Lloyd. The de-
CisiGn, which was rendered on originality
OF thought subject matter Of speech. and
manner of presentation, was awarded to
the negative with first honors TO T. c.
Clrndeuing and second houors 10 Luther
H. Walter.
The first speaker for the affirmative, r.
W Frick outlined the contention Of his
side that the United States wanted the
best qualified men to fiji the responsible
positions as consus abroad. He argued
that political influence prevented this
country from securing the services Of its
best men for these posts, and that COM
petitive examinations should be free from
political Influence, and that politics should
have nothing to do with appointments to
office. Mr.. Frick contendcd that the du-
ties of consuls were entirely non-partisan,
and for the welfare Of all parties ire
spective OF politics.
J. +. Bethuue. the first speaker for the
negative. replied that the cousuls should
be in political sympathy with the Admin
istration. This he said, was essential to
the successful discharge of his duties and
would cause no discord with his suporlois.
He supported his argument by asserting
that as our cOusuls were underpaid The
United States could not expect to secure
the services OF highly educated mon, ana
that was not so much needed as COM
mon sense. He also cOntcndcd that the
history of expansion of American trade
abroad showed that the present system
was satisfactory.
Luther NJ Walter for the affirmative,
in answer 10 the argument offered by the
negative, said that il had always been
the rule to select practical, INSCRIPTIONS
politicians for important foreign posts
He advocated examinations in languages
customs. and laws of the land To which
the official WAS assigned. This, he said.
would do away with the gi3Ting errors
Of IN" practice in vogue, that of chang
ing the Consuls whenever the Admins
tratiOn changes. Mr.. Walter claimed that
the reports Of the conSulS under the pres
ent system VIII ne kept in harmony with
the policy OF the Administration, without
any regard to truth and reliability.
G. r. Swift. for the negative. cOnteudod
that England's consular service was the
best and that its incumbeuts were not
appointed on the competitive examiua-
tiOn system. lie said that personal ap-
pearance of the incumbent had great
deal to do with the Impression he would
be likely 10 make upon the people to
whom he is accredited.
j. Il. Hawley. the last speaker for the
affirmative. supported the contentious Of
his colleagues. while T. c. Clendenus
the last speaker for the negative made a
very strong argument in favor of his
side