The San Francisco call., 1903-12-27
CONSULAR REFORM.

T VERY large manufacturer and producer in the
r. country is anxously awaiting the issue which is to
IL be joined in the present session of Congress
the Lodge bill for the reform of the consular service
During the Fftyseventh Congress this act of the Mass
achusetts Senator progressed far favorable
port back to the Senate by the Committee on Foreign
Relations, but there sheved by of the pre-
given the for the creation of the De
partment of Commerce and Labor, and effectively
kept obscurty by jealous defenders of the poils sys
tenn of political preferment
1t evident that when the bill is reinroduced into the
Senate by Senator Lodge and the brought be-
fore the House by Representative Burton of Ohio there
will be pressure brought to bear of sufficient strength
to force open fight upon the floors of Congress.
Through the activity of the National Business League,
nonpartisan organization of power in Chicago, Wig
campaign in favor of the passage of this has
been pressed until at present there filed with the
Committee Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
companion committee of the House Endorsements of the
Lodge bill from commercial bodies and prominent
manufacturing of all parts of the country.
The imperative need for change in the consular sSs
tenn is becoming more and more apparent with the in
creasng expansion of American trade interests abroad
Senator Lodges bill seeks first and above all,
the consular service from the field of political spos and
establish it upon the basis of civil service with tenure
OF Office which shall not be subject the political ebb
and flow, Washington The second reform aimed at is
that of establishing place of the present fee system of
compensation for consuls. fixed schedule of salaries,
graded according proposed improved classification
of commercial agents abroad. Under the operation
Of this innovation all prescribed fees collected for the
performance of duties by the cOnsus shall be strictly
counted for at the United States treasury
The most conspicuous feature of the Lodge bill and
the one calculated to make for the good the pro-
vision which closes foreign cities lumber rooms for
political props and scafodngs The gift of some
sure in favorng cline from the hands OF Congress
man fortunate in his election has long ceased to be
way pay old debts Our country has ample cause
for secongratulation upon the efficiency of of
these politically endowed consulshps i'll the past but the
time has when foreign trade cannot be longer
entrusted the uncertainties Of chance and good luck
Lodges provision for tenure of office during eff
cheney and the establishment OF fixed salary for consuls
calculated add much the strength of the service
Under the present system the who is abroad
upon the unstable footing of political preferment has
very little incentive to endeavor beyond the perfunctoy
routine OF his office. He knows that any conscientious
failure OF election the part of Senator So-and-So
There is no promotion higher office and increased
en,oument in view for him. He is merely living the
gratitude of his patron But in the hands of consul
who has merited his position by mental fitness alone
who has promotion before him to insure a continuous
and progressive life work, and whose bread and butter
comes not through the tortuous ways fees and tips
the foreign interests Of trade would receive the atte
tions they demand.