New-York tribune., 1902-03-09

ing steady progress. until IT is a most I'M
portant factor in export trade. and It Is
not unusual to read in foreign newspapers the
most fiattering comments upon our service IN
the promotion of American trade comparing IN
In all instances most favorabIy with their own
word. too. should be said right here IN re-
gard TO the men who at present compose the
consular corps. Not only in the quantity and
quality of the work done is service entitled
to much credit, but the personnel OF the service
was probably never higher than IL is to-day
While there may be exceptions. yet there are
scores of men in the service who are not only
a credit to themselves. but a credit and of the
utmost usefulness to the country-men whose
experience is rendering them more competent
and valuable every day.
Now while justly claim this much for
present consular service. in which opiniou
1 supported by many competent judges am
ready to admit that II has it's weak spots. which
should be remedied at once and i am mora
than gratihed by the introduction of Senator
Lodges bill. and the hearty support which ft
seems to be receiving at the hands OF boards OF
trade. commercial. manufacturing and export
ing organizations. and similar bodies which have
influence in such matters. While am not pre-
pared. perhaps. to indorse every recommended
tion of the bill. yet. in it's general scope and
provisions. IL seems TO offer much that is use
full and that promises well 10 add TO the eff
cheney of our consular service
A bill of this kind should secure at least four
things in order to reach its greatest useful
ness, and. in my Judgment. the bill in question
will do much to accomplish these:
Firsr-It reorganizes the system and properly
classifies the Offices
second-Under it the best class of men for
consuls will be obtained.
Third-Tenure of office during good behavior
will be secured.
Fourth-Adequate compensation will aSpar-
entity be provided as salaries
With these ends accomplished. the service will
be greatly benefited. and it should be placed in a
position to do more effective work than ever
before.
In my opinion. more of the success Of the con-
suar service depends upon its personnel than
upon anything else In fact, the success or fail
of the system hinges practically upon this.
OF course, a good organization is OF much i'm
pOTtanCe. but with the right kind OF men 10 fll
the positions the service must be a success
Dewey at Manila had good ships and guns. but
1T was the men behind the guns, with their
sterling qualities. their magnificent courage and
experience, that won the day. So IL will de-
p.nd upon the men behind the consular system.
with their sterling qualities and experience. to
achieve success.
The Lodge bill looks carefully after this mat
ter. IL provides that all new appOintees shall
obtain places only upon their merits and proper
qualifications after careful examination When
this is done unfit men will De excluded from the
service Appointments Will no longer be made. re-
gardless of qualifications, TO satisfy claims for.
perhaps. political services or party work. may
have been done In the past. COnsuls now I'm the
service are also TO be examined as 10 their quail
ifcations. and the competent and desirable ones
will be retained the government thus availing
itself of the experience of those long in the
vice. If any found wanting they win bs
dropped. Thus the service should be thorough
ly we'll equipped with men of experience. capac-
ity and proved efficiency. and should be ma
terially improved.
Again. the bill provides that competent con-
sulS in the service. and those TO be here
after appointed shall be retained in Office dur
ing good behavior This is provision OF great
Importance. for what Is the sense in appointing
good men only to turn them out the next dayT
The most Indifferent observer will perceive the
folly of dsTnissing a competent and experienced
consul. who is discharging every duty in most
acceptable manner simply for the purpose OF
putting in his place a new and inexperience&
Continued page six.