Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-17
TIE CONSULAR SERVICE
Bill in Congress to Provide for
Reorganization on New
Lines.
Senator Lodges Measure Pro.
poses to Put the Service
on Merit Basis.
Under Existing Law Many For.
eigners Are Employed at
Poorly Paid Posts.

|
mittee on foreign relations held a
regular meeting at which the BIZ!
providing for the reorganization of the
consular service was discussed and a
number of important amendments were
| practically decided upon. The bill is the
enc offered by Senator Lodge early in
the session. 1t is lengthy measure,
making every provision for placing the
| United States consular service on an en-
tirely new basis. It's expected the bill
will be favorably recommended and re-
ported to the senate next Wednesday.
There will be much discussion of its
| leading features, and perhaps some OPP
position will develop, as the changes it
proposes are radical. Senator Lodge.
however, has followed the recommended
tons of the state department in framing
the bill. Its every feature has been
talked over with President Roosevelt by
| Mr.. Hay.
| The secretary of state believes that
| some such measure is necessary to place
the consular service upon business and
merit basis. Pull" and favoritism has
| so often controlled the selection of our
representatives at foreign posts that the
service has lost much of the efficiency
which might be expected OF it. Under
existing laws the state department is
obliged to employ many foreigners who
are residents of the towns at which we
wish commercial representation. This is
particularly true of South American and
isthmian countries on this continent,
where there are many reasons for hav-
ing representatives who are not only
citizens of the United States, but who
have been trained in the consular serv-
ice and have the interests of the United
States solely at heart.
1t is natural to conclude that consul
of foreign birth and parentage, of for
eign residence, and perhaps of foreign
tastes and inclinations, can not give to
the commercial concerns of the United
States service such as our own citizens
under long years of tutelage by the state
department could furnish. Inquiries have
been made of every consul in the serv-
Ice of this country as to the exact condl-
tons which may obtain in their respect
i've fields. These inquiries were in the
shape of circular letter sent out many
months ago. Replies have been coming
to the state department for the past
three months. AS fast as received they
have been forwarded to the foreign re-
lations committees of congress.
Senator Cullom, chairman of the SEN
ate committee, who had his committee
together yesterday for consideration of
the measure which has been framed
with the object of the reorganization of
the consular service, will lend his efforts
tc have the measure passed. In this he
will have the support and approval of
President Roosevelt and the state de-
rartment.
1t has been the custom Of Great Brit
ain and other great commercial coun-
tries abroad to train their young men
for the consular service. Those who
show aptitude and fitness are given re-
sponsible positions. AS they develop
in the service they are advanced. The
bill. which was discussed in the COM
mittee today, provides for a special
board of examiners to inquire into the
qualifications of all applicants for con-
sular positions 1t virtually places the
consular service under a system SINH
lar in every respect to the merit system
of the civil service of the United States.
The system proposed, however. is en-
tirely Independent Of the United States
civil service.
During the discussion of the bill
there was general approval OF
the measure, but, at the suggestion of
Senator Cullom and other students OF
constitutional law in the committee,
some changes were decided upon. Under
the constitution the right OF the presl-
dent to make appointments to state de-
partment places is so clearly establish
ed the suggestion was made that no
law could properly be passed which,
thru its wording. proposed to restrict
the president in the exercise OF his con-
stitutional rights in this direction.
There was much discussion of the point.
The constitutional provision Is in the
second section of the constitution,
which empowers the president to make
treaties and appoint ambassadors.
other ministers and consuls." There is
no qualification OF this in the constitu-
ton, except in the words, congress
may by law vest the appointment of
such inferior offices as they think prop
er in the president alone, in the courts
of law. or in the heads of depart
ments.
The committee has practically decid-
ed. in consequence, to strike out the
provision of the law which apparently
prohibits the president from freely eX-
ercising his constitutional prerogative.
The provision In question provided that
no consul who had served for twelve
months in the service could be removed
until after he had been notified, in writ
ing and had been given what would in
fact. be a trial by board. The provi- |
sion also included publicity OF the rea-
sons for acting in the case.
Another change under contemplation |
bv the committee. and which it discus
sed Is the one which permits !
a person who has had service in the
state department to be transferred to |
the regular consular service without
taking an examination before the board |
of examiners provided for in the bill |
Many senator's favor striking out this /
provision. They contend that this will
permit abuses thru the transfer of per- |
sons from departmental work into the
field, without their qualifica-
tions being thoroughly established. The
of consuls, with in I
creased pay for the places which have
general merit system features of the
blM, have not been objected to.
Has Many Virtues.
For cuts, burns and bruises DeWitts