The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-02-05

recently passed by Congress, and by
which our army was recognized and
put on plane with the modern ar
mics Of Europe. The sagacity and pa.
tence BY which it was accomplished
however, we're displayed not by Con.
sfess but by Secretary Root then the
head Of the Department Of War. The
army at that time was in It's organi;
zation fossillized institution dating
back to the Revolution. For many
years Congress had been implored to
institute the General statf and bring
the organization up to the standard
set by the great modern armies Of
ether countries and the recalcitrance
q Congress to any changes or reforms
vas finally overcome only by the wis.
dom and energy of Secretary Root.
Those who dispaired the other day
when the Senate passed an emascu'
lated and farcical Consular Bill, which
iWss introduced in its original strength
for the purpose of improving the Con.
suIar Service and Of bringing it up
to the efficiency of the Consular Ser.
vices Of England and Germany, have
at Least the consolation Of knowing
that the reform is one in which Sec
retary Root (now Secretary Of state)
b interested and remember his sue.
ass With the army reorganization.
The biTl passed by the Senate provides
for no reforms Of any importance in
the Consular Service and in its pres
emit form acts as mere obstruction to
he introduction of one that might
have some effective provisions. Be.
fore its passage in the Senate secre-
tary Root appeared in person before
the Committee in charge of the bin
and explained at length the demoral.
ized condition of the service at pres
emit and the need for the benefit Of the
trade and commerce and standing Of
this country abroad that men espe'
eially fitted by education should be
appointed to the consular officer, in.
stead Of these offices being used as
now as "asylums for worn out poll.
ticians.D But the Senate which con-
siders above its duty to the country
its obligations to its constituents re-
iecterd the advice of the Secretary of
State and passed a bill which contains
but one important provision and that
one for the creation of a board of
Consular inspection by which five
more Important Offices are placed at
the disposition of Congress to be fur,
Their filed by political hacks and IN
paid constituents. Those interested
in the ultimate success Of the effort to
make the needed reforms in the ser.
vice though temporarily discouraged
have con adeaae that Secretary Root
may ye; BY wisdom and patience res
cue lhe wora as ho did that for the
army
Rumors that the Presidents popu'
Iarity in the country and influence
With Congress- had waned have not
been verified by the facts His popu'
Iarity Is undimlnished and nothing
could better demonstrate his inhu'
ence in Congress than the present con-
dition Of he issues before that body.
Every pending measure with the pos
sthle exception Of the Statehood and
Philippine tariff bills, which he has ap,
proved seems certain of enactment
into law. The approval Of his Mo-
roccan policy and the adoption Of his
recommendation with regard to San
to Domingo are practically sure TO
20 through and it is in the important
RAILROAD rate reforms that he will
probably achieve his greatest sue.
cess. For more than a year and in
the face OF apparently lnsurmountable !
opposition he has unfalternsly advo'
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