New-York tribune., 1906-06-30

President Issues Order Maxine I'M
portant Changes IN SerUice.

Washington, June 29.-With a view to giving
effect to the plans of Secretary Root for the
reorganization of the consular service on a merit
basis and as far possible divorcng it from
political considerations. the President has issued
an executive order making important changes
in the methods of appointment and promotion
Of officers in that service The order is issued
primarily effect certain desirable reforms
which were sought to be accomplished through
sections of the Consular Reorganization bill
which eliminated In the House and Senate
for reasons explained by Secretary Root in a
letter to the President transmitting draft of
the order in which he says:
The main features of the order were embodied
in the early forms OF the Consular Reorganiza- l.
tion bill, passed at this session of Congress, but
they were dropped out largely for the reason
that their enactment by Congress would appear
TO be an infringement upon the Presidents con-
stitutional power to appoint consuls.
Your adoption Of these rules by executive
order will be free from that objection, and.
judging from the positive commendation which
many members of both houses have expressed
for the proposed change in the method of ap-
pointing consuls, do not doubt that the new
system will receive the hearty approval of the
Senate and Of Congress whenever occasion may
arise for an expression upon the subject. The
principle Of the rules was heartily approved
by a very representative convention held in
Washington last winter. composed of leading
business men from all parts OF the country: and
of the rules have been subjected to careful con-
sideration by board of five Of the most able
ana experienced officers in the consular service,
| convened In Washington on the 4th of this
month, for the purpose of advising upon the
application Of the reorganization act to
the service That act by its term is to take
erect on the Both day of June. and il is de-
slraoie that the new rules take effect at the
same time.
The Presidents order recites the acts of Con-
gress authorizing the Executive to make regu-
lations for the consular service. and to classify
such officers ;fter examination. and announces
regulations relative to selection of these of
subject always 10 the advice and consent of tn,
Senate.
Consular offices salaried at more than 50 500
are to be filled entirely by promotion from the
lower grades, based upon ability and efficiency
Vacancies in the lowest two grades paying sal
aries of $4,000 and $4,000 a year are to be
filled, first. from the consular clerks, agents and
deputies who shall have entered the service
after examination, and second, by appointment
of persons who shall pass satisfactory examina-
uons by a board headed by the chief of the con-
sular bureau upon subjects including at least
one modern language other than English and
the natural industrial and commercial resources
OF the United States, especially with reference
10 the extension Of American commerce, polit-
ical economy and commercial international and
maritime law. No person who rates at less than
81 per cent Is eligible for certifcation. nor can
any one De examined who is under twenty -One
or over nifty years Of age or who is not of good
character and mentally qualified. Even such
persons must be especially designated for ex-
animation by the President, due regard being
mad 10 the rule that as between candidates OF
equal merit, appointments shall be made so as
10 secure proportional representations of all the
states and territories In the service. "and neither
IN the designation for examination or certihca-
ron or appointment will the political affiliations
Of a candidate be considered"
In countries where the United States has
eXtraterritorial jurisdiction the candidate must
possess a fundamental knowledge of common
iFa &c dan1a rad ff,-sr
shall be made except upon efficiency as shown
by the work that the officer has accomplished