Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-02
OUT OF POLITICS NOW
C0nSuIS Are Selected Because
of Their Fitness.
ALSO SPECIALLY TAUGHT
President Taft to Follow Rules of
His Predecessor.
FRANKLIN'S LETTER ON TARIFF
Great Work of Department Of Agri-
culture, Which Educates the
Farmer by Mail.
BY WILLIAM f. CURTIS.

BY WILLIAM T.. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
Many people will be gratified to learn
that the consular corps will be kept out
of politics in the next administration, as
it has been in the present. and that Presi-
dent Taft and Secretary Knox will fol-
low the rules adopted by President Roose-
welt and Secretary Root in making ap-
pointments. During the last three years
all vacancies have been filled by promo
ton for merit Al the bottom. in the
case of the lowest grade of consuls, va
cancies have been filled by appointment
from list of eligibles who have passed
their examinations and attended the
consular school now In session at the De-
partment of State. Candidates must be
familiar with more than one language
French. German, Spanish or Italian pre-
ferred-and they must have a familiar
knowledge of commercial and Industrial
affairs in the United States as we'll as of
our relations with foreign countries. Be
fore their examinations they have the
privilege of attending the consular
school and learning some OF the many
things that will help them to answer the
questions. After they have passed the
examination and are on the list OF
eligibles. they are required to attend the
school in order to obtain practical knowl-
edge of their duties before they are sent
to their first posts.
West.
Circulars have been sent to southern
and western colleges to invite graduates
who are ambitious of entering the foreign
service to come up to these examinations.
because those sections are not so well rep
resented at present as the eastern states.
There are now more than fifty names on
the list of eligibles, from which all vacan-
cies in the consular corps will be filled by
President Taft He is receiving many
applications for appointment and many
letters of recommendation for candidates
from persons who have been active in the
recent campaign, but he sends the same
reply to verybody and incloses the printed
rules of the department.
Secretary Knox is in full sympathy with
this arrangement, and 1t may be said
that most of the senators and represen-
tatives are also although it deprives them
of patronage that has hitherto been very
highly esteemed. But they recognize the
Importance of the reform in securing a
better service and encouraging those con-
suls who are already in office to do their
best.
There will also he an application of the
merit system in filling vacancies in the
diplomatic corps so far as possible. This
rule may not apply to the ambassadors,
who are the personal representatives OF
the President, and will be selected by
him, but ordinary vacancies that may oc-
cur in the legations are to be filled by
the promotion of those of inferior rank
and from among secretaries of embassies
and legations who have distinguished
themselves by good service.
N.r;+ cre4e,,, uT;1J Dro1o{J
1t is entirely probable that Mr.. Reid
will resign from the embassy of ST.
James. but the President-elect has not
yet considered the appointment of his
successor Nor has he paid any atten-
ton to the other embassies. He has post
poned all such matters until he can have
an opportunity to consult with the next
Secretary of State and the present Sec
rotary, for whose judgment he has pro-
found respect. Vice President Fair
banks, who has frequently been spoken
of as an appropriate successor for White
law Reid at London, would not accept
the appointment under any circumstances,
and has already arranged to return to his
law practice at indianapolis. He does
not care to live abroad, he could not COM
pete with Mr.. Reid in the splendor of his
hospitality. and very much prefers the
practice of law to the practice of di-
plOmacy.
There is no foundation for any reports
that may be in circulation concerning
changes in the diplomatic service. What
ever may be printed on that subject is
purely guesswork.
Aspirants for appointment, however,
should be warned that the PreSident-elect
and the future Secretary of State are
very strongly for the merit system and
are more likely to I'LL any vacancies by
promotion than by the appointment OF
new men.
Abolish Useless Offices.
Mr.. Francis E. Leupp, commissioner
of Indian affairs has made himself i'm
mortal by recommending that his office
be abolished. His case. however. is not
unique Mr.. Maxwell Blake of Missouri
succeeded in abolishing his office when
be was consul at the Madeira Islands