New-York tribune., 1912-02-18
THEDA vINWASHI.NGTON

:. over the election Of Senators in their re-
s,ec,ive states. without the Bristov
amendment II would not have been possi-
BILE to secure the necessary two-thirds vote.
Now. however, the House conferrees refuse
20 accept this amendment The uncontrol-
liable fear that in some mysterious manner
this authority. which IL has always enjoyed
and which is regarded by the ablest states
men as essential 10 its integrity, NAV be
used 10 secure for the disfranchised negroes
in the Southern States the right of suf-
frage inspires the majority in the House
TO reject the Bristow amendment. despite
the fact thai none can question Mr.. Rris-
tows loyalty to the popular election policy.
AS the situation stands, the House CON
ferrees are insisting that the Senate yield
10 the elimination OF the Bristow amend
rent OF course, this could he done by
ma jority vote in the Senate, but that hav-
ing been done. II would be necessary again
10 secure q two-thirds vote of the Senate to
pass the amendment in the form demanded
by the Democrats. and that now seems an
impossibilty. II is, however. some salts
faction 10 the Republican advocates Of popu-
lar elections that the whole responsibility
for It's defeat will rest on the Democrats.
THE GREATEST NEED.-In his speech
at the dinner given in his honor by the
Foreign Affairs Committee. Secretary Knox
referred TO the increased efficiency Of the
diplomatic and consular services since they
had been taken practically out OF politics.
for which. by the way, Secretary Knox and
this administration deserve the utmost
cradit Nv called hN
perienced diplomat to an equally great. II
not greater, necessity in connection with
this matter, and that IL some continuity in
the conduct Of the Department Of State
itself. II is pointed out that such cont-
ruity is essential to the fruItion Of those
policies which one able Secretary of State
after another institutes, but all too often
has no opportunity TO carry to completion.
1t Is urged that the long service of Secre-
tary Hay demonstrated the advantage OF
such continuity Of policy. but that since
then the foreign relations Of the country
have suffered. not from any lack Of ability.
but from the changes at the head OF the
Department OF State. 1t is realized that II
would be impracticabe to provide that the
Secretary OF State should serve continu-
ously. Being member Of the Presidents
Cabinet, he must naturally be the personal
selection Of the President, but the scheme
urged by Secretary Knox at the beginning
of this admnistration-the creation OF the
post of Under Secretary of State. to be
filed by one who would rank next TO the
Secretary himself-is recalled. with the add
ed suggestion that this post be made TO
carry sufficient salary TO retain man OF
marked ability, and II be further provided
that such Under Secretary shall be remova-
bic only for cause or course, this might
not accomplish all that is 10 he desired,
but II would probably go far TO correct
those defects which result from a whole
sale change Of the more responsible Off
cials every four years,
SOME CLERK."-Brigadier General
Clarence r. Edwards chief Of the Bureau
OF Insular Affairs Of the War Department.
must have experienced a novel sensation
when he found himself referred to in de-
bate in the Senate as "a clerk in the War
Department" Incidentally, too. It may
have surprised General Edwards when he
learned that he was In possession OF
100000" Senator Overmsn was the au-
thor Of the reference to General Edwards
and he II was who declared that this clerk
possessed sl4cocoO Of Philippine money, for
which the Senate asked an accounting.
Fortunately, Senator Root was able TO de-
tect the meaning Of the Senator from North
Carolina and TO explain that General Ed
wards was evidently the clerk" referred
TO and. further. that General Edwards was
not going about with Sl4.coo00 OF Philip
pine money concealed about his person, but
that he had. I'm his of1cial capacity, placed
that sum IN certain New York banks. ~
being fund 10 provide against any deheit
which might have resulted from the change
from a silver TO a gold basis OF the Philip
pine currency. Incidentally, Senator Root
informed the Southern statesman that this
sum had been so prudently invested that 1t
had Welded handsome return-more than
enough. in fact. TO offset any losses resulting
from the change Of standard. q. @. il.
HOT WORDS FOR H0BS0N