The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-16
Young Men Seeking Appoint
ments in the Diplomatic
Corps Must Qualify for
Their Positions, He Says.
SECRETARY KNOX ALSO
APPROVES OF THIS PLAN
Few Years Ago American For
eign Service Was a Joke,
But 1t Is Now Splendid, Ef-
ficient Organization.
BY Guy w. Finney.

Washington, Jan. 16.-Young men
throughout the country looking for
ward to a career in the diplomatic
service may take cheer in the thought
that during the coming Taft admin
istration merit alone will open the
door to appointment. This announce
ment may strike with particular force
that class of young men who have
achieved university honors. Aside
from Mr.. Taft himself, the best friend
of this merit system will be his secre-
tary of state, Philander Knox. In TAX
ing these consulships, which mark the
road to higher diplomatic preferment,
out of the political 'grab-bag," Mr..
Knox will follow the course of the
present Secretary of State, Elihu Root,
who can rightfully lay claim to be-
ing "the father of consular reform"
Formerly Smiled At.
A few years ago it could be said,
and was said with truth, that the av-
erage American consul was "a joke;
that he had no right to represent this
or any other country in an important
diplomatic capacity, and that his pres
ence as such was enirely due to bad
political system. Except in excep-
tional cases, the assertions would
be without foundation now, and when
Mr.. Taft and when his Secretary of
State get through with their pruning
these exceptions, too, win be Of the
past.
Changed commercial conditions, as
well as the endorsements brought
about by incompetent representatives
abroad, have made this consular re.
form imperative. 1t was either a ques.
ton of divorcing the consular berths
from politics or be discredited in the
eyes of foreign governn ents. Though
the change wrought has not been with.
out opposition, and Mr.. Taft, when
he becomes Chief Executive, probably
will be urged to return to the old
"spoils" system, the results attained
have proven the wisdom Of the re-
form.
Field Attractive.
To the average American this field
offers varied attractions. 1t may not
have been so in former years, when
most of these jobs were properly la
belled "sinecure," because the con
sul's chief duties consisted of killing
time and drawing his pay. The serv
ice is now riding itself OF the few
incumbents who follow this exciting
routine. While it is true that some
consular offices offer a wider field OF
opportunity than others, none of them
are without their offerings to the am
bilious man. Many of those station
ed in the various countries Of South
America, which countries are now
marching to the tune of a Quick-step
to capture some of this country's
trade, have found ample opportunity
to develop lines of trade for home
merchants, and thus benefit indirect
ly. Others have been offered allur
ing inducements to enter the service
OF corporations having a large ship
ping headquarters at the port where
they were stationed, and still others
have left the consular service to de
velop opportunities they learned OF
while acting as their country's rep
resentative. Taken all in all. this field
would seem a vastly more inviting
one than formerly. and more so be
cause, instead of being closed to all
except class Of hungry politicians
it is now within the reach of all-ii
they only show their fitness.