The San Francisco call., 1903-09-22
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.

wv to fill important vacancies in the consular
service by promotion OF capable men from
subordinate positions is of qualification to
al who take any interest in the matter it is by
means sufficient TO assure the thorough reform that
has been long needed. There is required change in
the law regulating appointments 50 that the reform
methods Of selecting for the various offices shall
become a fixed feature OF administrative system.
The forces that have been for so long time work
ing to bring about the enactment Of consular re-
form bill have not lessened their activities because of
the Presidents action IN recent appointments. On
the contrary, they have drawn encouragement from
this manifestation OF the Presidents sympathy with
the movement for reform, and will urge upon Con
ress the passage OF an efficient consular reform bill
with increased zeal
One Of the most active and influential of the
many organizations that have declared for reform
and have worked to bring it about is the National
Business League non-partisan body, composed of
representative men of commerce and industry in every
State in the Union. 1t has given special attention
10 the subject and has carried extensive
pagn of education in favor of the message of reform
embodied in the Lodge bill, which contemplates
complete reorganization of the consular service, sub
sttutng fixed salaries in place Of the fees system pro-
vidng for the adoption OF the merit system in max
ing promotions and, in short, removing the service
altogether from the spols OF politics
Should the bill become law it would not be long
before there would be an immense improvement in
the personnel OF the service and a corresponding
improvement in the service itself We should no
longer have important consular positions filled by
men absolutely without qualification and who owe
their appointments solely to their activity as parti
san politicians in their various Congressional dis
ricts The bill provides that appointee must have
Il H. I.+:.
sources and requirements OF this country, well
the country to which he is accredited also must speak
fuenty either the French German or Spanish Ian
guage as well English, and in every other way be
qualified TO serve and promote the manufacturing
and commercial interests OF the United States.
The passage OF the bill is not going to be easily
effected though It have the support of the Pres
dent That much is evident from the defeat of the
many efforts that have been made in times past TO
bring about reform. As matter of fact the bill vir
tually asks the Senators surrender large part Of
their official patronage, and to great many of them
patronage is the most valuable adjunct of Sena-
torial position. They would almost as soon resign
the one as surrender the other. The hopes of the
friends Of the partly upon the support
Of those Senators who are true statesmen and
patriots and partly upon the power OF public opinion
to control the vote of the spolsmen
II IS tOr the purpose OF working up strong SEN
ment in favor OF reform that the National Business
League is now carrying on its campaign. A recent
summary OF the prospects of the league in this re-
spect says: The hope of for this effort to
induce Senator's and Representatives to give Up so
handsome block OF patronage lies in the fact that
the men behind the movement not doctrinaires or
theoretical reformers, but practical business men,
heads of great manufacturing and mercantile con-
Germs bankers, importers, exporters presidents of
boards of trade chambers OF commerce and grain ex
changes They are men practically familiar not only
with the needs of trade but with the business of
consular officer and not to be deceived to the
proper qualifications for such position the proper
discharge OF its duties Their demand for sweeping
reorganization in the service is born of bitter expe-
ience with its present inadequacy incompetency and
ignorance and they represent sufficient material in
terests 10 insure them hearing from the most
stupid and selfish patronage broker in either house
AS the industries as well the commerce of the
country are to a considerable degree affected by the
degree Of efficiency that exists in the consular
vice II IS expected that all organizations represent
ing industry and commerce will cooperate with the
league in the effort TO bring about the desired legis-
lation The cooperation should be prompt as well
as cordial The Lodge bill should be enacted at the
coming session of Congress. -