New-York tribune., 1902-01-06
LODGES CONSULAR BILL.
PROVISIONS FOR PLACING THE SER
VICE ON BASIS OF FIXED TENURES
AND PERSONAL WORTH.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]


Washington, Jan. 5.-Senator Lodge, of Massa-
chusetts, has reintroduced and had referred to
the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations of
winch he is one Of the most active and influential
members, carefully matured bill for the
ganization of the consular service This meas
ure, which failed of action in the last Congress
because of the great press of other urgent legis-
latlVe business, has now under Mr. Lodges pow
erful patronage, more excellent prospect than
ever Of reaching the statute book. The junior
Senator from Massachusetts has long been
known an earnest and consistent champion
of the merit system of appointments and promo
tons in the public service, and his already nota-
bic contributions to the extension of that system
now promise to be magniied by his successful
efforts to establish the federal consular service
on basis of fixed tenures and personal worth.
No Republican leader in the Senate is regarded
better equipped than Mr. Lodge to head a
crusade for the betterment of a branch OF the
federal service, in which haphazard appoint
ments and summary removals have been too
much the rule, and in which proved efficiency
has only exceptionally net with encouragement
and advancement. The new Importance which
the consular service has assumed in the last
decade has convinced many farseeing states
men in Washington that its conversion into
more effective agency for the spread Of Ameri-
can commerce is of the necessities OF the
present; and to Mr. Lodge has fallen by general
consent the initiative in this timely effort TO i'm
prove and strengthen expanding consular
machinery.
His skill, intelligence and power in the Senate
thought to give ample assurance that the
much desired reform his measure contemplates
will not be long delayed Mr.. Lodges bill re-
organizes and regrades the consular officers of
the United States and abolishes the fee system.
except for consular agents, who are TO receive
cne-half of the fees they collect up to a maxi
mum of 81 600 year. Consular officials proper
to be divided into four grades OF consuls
general and six grades of consuls. Commercial
agents ard consular clerks are to become
consuls in the classified grades but vice-con-
suls general, deputy consuls general. vice-con-
suls and deputy consuls are 10 be appointed as
heretofore, except that II the President fit.
he may designate consuls OF the fourth, nth and
sixth classes TO perform these substitute func-
tions
There are TO be not more than two consuls
general of the first class at $4,000 a year;
eight of the second class, at $4,000: thirteen OF
the third class. at $4,000; thirteen OF the fourth
class. at $1,000; thirty-seven consuls OF the first
class at $1,000; thirty-hve OF the second class.
at $4,000; sixty of the third class. at $4,000;
forty Of the fourth class at $500; thirty Of the
fifth class, at 1000 and fifty OF the sixth class.
at $1.SO0. Within a year after the passage OF
the act the service shall be classified and the
present incumbents assigned 70 the various
classes as nearly as possible In accord with the
salaries they now receive. Within two years
from the passage OF the act these incumbents
are 10 be recalled gradually for examination and
those who fail to qualify to be dropped from
the service. Promotions from one class 10 an
other for merit are provided for and transfers
within one class according TO the needs OF the
service.
For new appointments to the sixth class Civil
Service examinations are to be conducted by
board consisting Of the Secretary or state,
some consul general or consul designated by the
President and the three members Of the United
States Civil Service Commission. No one shall
be examined who is under twenty-one or over
1fty-five years Of age who is not citizen or the
United States or who is mentally, morally or
physically disqualified TO properly perform the
duties of a consul. The scope and method or the
examination shall be determined by the board,
hut among the subjects shall be included either
the French German Spanish language. such
requirement being in addition TO the vernacular
of the applicant. and questions designed 10 as
certain each applicants knowledge OF the COM
nercial resources OF the United states. espe-
ciaIIv with reference to the possibilities Of In
creasing and extending the trade OF the Unlted
States with foreign countries
Any one who has served two years In the
classified force in the State Department shall
he eligible for appointment without eXamina-
tion TO consulate of the fourth, fifth or sixth
grade: and consuls general or consuls may pe
detailed to duty in the state Department Tor
neriods of from one year TO four years AFTER
Twelve months Of service consul shall be dis
charged except for cause stated in writing, and
anv consul so discharged shall have the right 10
appeal TO a revisionary board. Five inspectors
Of consulates are also TO be appointed at salaries
OF 81, 900 year
THE TJREPT1DOP'S MISSION.