The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-12-18
CONSULAR
reforms
Secretary of State Root
Urges That the Serviea Be
Elaced Under Civil Service
Rules
CLERKS TO Be AMERICANS
STATISTICS OF GOVERNMENT
MISUNDERSTANDING POST
PRovEMENT.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 16, 1905
Elihu Root, the versatile member Of the
Cabinet, who is directing the affairs at
the present time of the State Depart
ment and seeking to emulate the exam
pie Of a worthy predecessor, has views
Of his own with reference to the reor-
ganization of the consular service. He
was before the committee on foreign re-
lations of the Senate yesterday after
noon, and he went into detail to explain
to the members of the committee what
he thought should be done to improve
the consular service, and at the same
time have the benefit reflected upon the
country.
Mr.. Root has made careful study of
the matter, even though he has been
directing the affairs of the State Depart
ment but short time, compared with
the years of service of the late Secretary
Hay. The ideas of President Roosevelt
with reference to civil service rules were
brought out prominently, and the scheme
embraces all promotions subject to merit
and from the lower grades after an ex-
| animation. This would make the consul
| civil service organization, and this is a
point which will provoke plenty of hos
/ tility among the 'spoilsmen" of the
House, who have little in the way OF
ssplums" at their disposal in these times.
There is one provision in the proposed
reorganization which will meet with in
stant approval. 1t provides that all
clerks of consulates must be Americans.
Then provision is made for an occasional
inspection Of the censulates, and in that
way the government will he able to learn
| whether or not the incumbent OF any
consular place is attending to his duties
in a proper manner. 1t would also
| prevent conditions which in the past
have been a scandal for more than one
administration TO shoulder, to the chagrin
of the political leaders.
Already there is i fight in the Aouse
1 of Representatives a. to which commit
tee shall have control of the Insurance
legislation. Without going into the con-
stitutional question the ways and means
committee and the interstate and foreign
commerce committee both want the bin
to regulate insurance by Federal super
vision referred TO it. There was a spirit
ed debate concerning this matter yester-
day afternoon. in which Representative
Payne, the chairman of the ways and
means, and Colonel Pete Hepburn, of
the interstate and foreign commerce.
each argued against the other and tried
to convince the House that, he was right.
Without coming to any decision in the
matter the House finally adjourned until
to-day.
Representative Wiley. a member of the
District of Columbia committee, has in
troduced bill which will be popular with
patrons of the electric lines but not at
all popular with the railroad companies
doing business in the district. There are
two separate systems. The one operates
the line on Pennsylvania avenue, Four
teenth and Fifteenth streets. The other
company, of which Allan L. McDerrnott,
of Jersey City, is the president, operates
the remaining lines. The bill of Mr..
Wiley provides that transfers shall be in-
terchangeable from one company 10 an
other. 1t is hardly likely that bill of
this sort will get through.
Wilbur F. Wakeman, secretary of the
American Protective Tariff League. and
well known throughout New Jersey, has
expressed to President Roosevelt his re-
gret that his organization will have to
4 oppoSS tue HI ppue tafIh Dili NO
personality is involyedsin this position Z
said Mr. Wakeman. '.We feel thar rns
passage of the Philippine tariff b:ll is a
breach in the wall of protection. and,
therefore. we must fight it."
Representative Adams. Of Pennsylva-
mia, believes ID harsh treatment or pun
ishment for wife beaters. He introduced
bill to establish whipping post in the
District Of Columbia for wife +beaters
and yesterday he had chat with Presi-
dent Roosevelt about it. He said that
the President was heartily in favor of
the measure and told him to press it all
he could.
Representative Crnmpackers Of nlli~
nois, would take away from the Speaker
some Of his power, if he could. He man
ifests his wish in this kne BY a resola.
lisa. Il is not believed be expects ans-