Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-06-24

time, seemingly are willing that ne
questions shall be answered next win
ter. Mr.. Wilson is unwilling.
In the face of the Presidents deter
mtnation thar congress shall sit until
it finishes its business and carries out
the pledges OF the Baltimore platform.
Mr.. Wilson himself wants to get awav.
He wants to go to Cornish. N. NJ. to
spend the summer. He is human. like
the senators and TIE representatives.
but he is stanch foT a completion of
the work. while members of congress
feel another way about It They will
stay, however, until the program hf
legislation for this session is com
pleted.
The baseball fan tho Is not in OH
cial life doubtless wonders if the play
ing days of the Washington baseball
club. otherwise the Nationals" and
sometimes the Senators" do not play
part in determine how long con-
grees shall remain in session. 1t is a
sane thought that congress certainly
might adjourn this year by July II
been playing an important series here
during the month OF May. Virtually
every afternoon at least a hundred
members OF the house are In attend
ance upon the game.
Here is what some one else has said
about the congressional situation as
| affected by baseball.
Already once or twice this summer
casual, feeting reference has appeared
in the Congressional Record about the
absence OF members who prefer ball
game to Law making Mr. McCumber
| OF North Dakota was complaining the
other afternoon in the senate, when he
could not get attention for his grain
| inspection bill, of the numbers of his
colleagues who were playing hockey at
the ball park.
The Washington ball club left town
for long western trip not to return
until June rs. This fact in itself will
hasten legislation, for the members of
congress will attend more strictly to
their work. because Washington is
singularly barren of amusements 9TH
err than baseball during the summer"
To improve Consular Service.
Senator Stone of Missouri at the
instance of the state department
has introduced a bill into congress
which changes somewhat the reg
ulations which govern admission to
the consular and diplomatic service
of the government, and of appoint
ments and promotions thereto and
therein. It is possible today for young
Americans of good education and
character to enter the consular serv-
ice without having back of them any
great political influence.
1t is a good thing, however. for a
young man who wishes to enter the
consular service to secure from rep
resentative or a senator a recommend
alton as to his character and f1tness,
but It is understood that as things
are today testimonials from other
sources are nearly II not quite equal
ly serviceable. However, il a young
man wants to enter the service he
should not trust TO outside advice.
but should write to the state depart
ment for information concerning the
methods of appointment and the quail
fications necessary TO secure posi-
ton
The consular and diplomatic service
OF the United States is not under the
civil service Law. bat some years ago
when Elihu Root was secretary of
state a plan was adopted by which
the spirit OF the merit system was
made largely TO prevail in the foreign
service. Under Secretary of State
Root the merit system was strength
ened and now under Secretary Bryan
the intention IS further to strength
en- it.
Provision Of Stones Bill.
In the provisions of the bill which
Senator Stone has introduced there
| is a strong suggestion that the merit
system will remain feature of the
! state department If political pressure
! in the future does not become too
strong In section of the measure
| AIG bCtIGldIy u attlAO 10 uiiECNNt ~
report from time to time to the pres
ident, along with his recommendations
! for promotions and transfers, the
| names of those secretaries in the
diplomatic service and OF those con
| sular officers or diplomatic officers or
employees who by reason OF service
have demonstrated special efficiency.
1t is also directed that the names
of persons found upon examination 10
have fitness for appointment to the
lower grades Of the service shall be
reported to the president. II is urged
that an administration conducted upon
considerations OF efficiency only will
find in the section quoted from and
in the proposed law generally strong
warrant for declining to make remov-
ais, transfers. promotions or appoint
ments for any reasons except those
based upon merit
Under the new law the scope aud
method of examinations are to be de-
termined by the examiners, but It
viii require a consideration of expert
ence and ability and the applicants
will be examined also as TO their
knowledge Of the resources and com
merce of the United States with spe-
cial e'erence 10 the development Of