New-York tribune., 1914-03-02

vision known az the 'literacy test The
same organizations that were behind the
support OF exemption In the sundry civl
bill are behind the provisions involved IN
the llteracy test The country needs I'M
migrants who are sound In body ana
honest OF heart and Il Is not necessary
that thev should read or write 10 be use
ful. Will President Wilson sign the Dill
with the literacy test included at the oe-
hest OF these same influences or Will ne
veto Il and let the country have the oeh
eft of the immigrant labor without
which. in the past, It could not have sup
piled the demands OF industry!
The old system Of political patronage
which has long been sheived, has peen
taken from the shelf by this administra-
ton and busted and put into ac,i'e use
over the Whole administration tnere II
the trail Of IT. Places that were lot
rnerIv under civil service have peeh eN-
empted from the merit system, WIN t"e
Presidents approval Even the income
tax is TO be collected by young army VI
political eppointees. There Is patronase
I'm the idea of having so many resioii".
hanks. The best banking sentiment Oh
the country agreed that very ie" sue"
institutions were needed. and the WORK
could be better handled with not more
than six There is a great deal OF patron
age that accompanies every regional panh
Havoc with Merit System.
In the Postoffice Department havoc mas
heen plaved with established rules anu
the merit system. There has peeh
steady procession Of changes In the fres'-
dantiaI postofices. These. II must be re-
-,o,,ba-ed are a very small part or the
,os,of,ces OF the country, for they must
do q large amount OF business 10 set in'0
this class These are the OFFICES thst GUS
tom saws shall be changed only al the
.v,iration of the term Of the postlnaste,
During the extra session OF last year.
|~or, March TO the first of December, In
This comparatively smsl! class OF post
offices Of the country 1850 changes were
made. This rate of 500 month Is qui'o
record for President VINO mas oee'
such an ardent advocate or civil service
reform. OF these postmasters so put OUT
Of Office one hundred were women
Tn. Democratic party is playing santa
C1aue with one hand and holding the
stocking with the other. the diplomatic
service has been dsorganized. Men yho
have spent many years In foreign service
who have been advanced from minor 10
important posts after their worth ana
ability have been tested. these men have
been removed. and their places taken
and their positions used in the payment
OF poitcal debts. The result Is that AT
no time in the recent history OF the state
Denartment has the American diplomatic
service been in such a state OF disorgani-
zation and ineffectlveness as at present.
The now famous case OF Mr.. Pindeh ana
his appolntment as Ambassador TO Rus
sla is more Of a type than an exception 10
q rule that is being followed. There Is
politics at the fountain head, and there
is politics all along the stream.
Mexican Policy Only "Opportunisnn.'
The Mexican policy OF the admlnistra-
ton. which was rhetorically termed by
the President as one of "watchful walt
X,
opportunism. The country has been very
patient with the administration In its
dealings with affairs on our southern bor-
der, and has given TO the President free
rein 10 demonstrate the soundness o.
fallacy OF his theories. II has taken the
same position In regard TO other policies
and acts OF his administration. No Presl-
dent has ever received moro cordial
tree tnent and the full benefit Of any
doubt than has President Wilson during
the first year OF his administration.
French newspapers refer to our Mexican
policy rs Intellectual idealism' The
President said in his message: And
then. when the end comes. we shall hope
10 see constitutional order restored in
distressed Mexico The end was 20
come with the disappearance Of Huerta
The policy is indeed one OF "watchful
waiting" We all hope that It Will turn
out we'll
This nation will be greatly favored II
intervention shall be avoided. The re
moval OF the embargo on the expectation
OF arms and munitions OF war into Mexico
for the benefit OF Csrranza and Villa has
been construed by Huerta as an act tan
tamount 10 the recognition OF the revolu-
tlonlsts If pe have practically given TO
them the benefits OF recognition, We have
not retained the advantages Of control
There is grave danger that it may re-
suit in saddling on US n responsibility
for the future. while subIecting the Mexi-
can people 10 tho horrors of continued
brigandage.
However. whether the policy respecting
the devastation OF Mexico IL wise or un-
wise, II Is the duty OF all citizens re-
spectng our foreign policy TO support
and uphold tho hands OF the admnlstra-
ton 10 the fullest extent.
SENATOPS SPIIT TO0