The Washington herald., 1915-01-19
REQUEST
GETS THE HA, HA
Secretary Wants Appoint
ment of Deserving Demo-
Gratis on Island.
SCENE: SANTO DOMINGO
Object of Bill Under Discussion, You
Know. Was to Give Consular
Service Elasticity"

William ]. Bryan's letter to W. w.
Wick. receiver general of customs in
Santo Domingo. IN which Mr. Bryan
made soliCitous inquiries concerning op-
portunities that might be presented in
the island for appointment of deserving
Democrats formed the subject Of a
lively debate in the House yesterday.
Mr. Bryan's attempt to take care OF de-
serving Democrats at the expense of
SGnto Domingo was criticised by ReDIb-
LEANS and defended by members % the
Serrrtsry OF States Darty
Tire V.Ck letter. which went into the
CCncl ossiUnal Record for distribution as
a CANT Il IN document by the Rerubhcans
in the 1916 contest. came up during the
debate upon the administration bill pro-
posing reorganization of the consular
vice.
Representative Moore. of Pennsylva-
MIA directed the attention of the House
to the Wick letter and grins were at
once evident on the Republican side of
the chamber. The report on the pend
ing bill stated that its purpose was to
inject ''elastiClty' into the consular
service. Mr.. Moore expressed the opin-
ion that its real purpose was to pro-
vide jobs for deserving Democrats"
Representative Mann. Republican
leader. Chipped in a few observations
that appeared to annoy Democratic
members. He expressed the opinion
that the Bryan-Vick letter disclosed an
effort on the part of the Secretary of
State to exploit the poor people OF
Santo Domingo and make them pay
the expenses of the political heelers of
the State Department"
The letter written to Mr.. Wick has
my approval" shouted Representative
Flood. chairman of the House Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs. II believe
also it has the approval of every red
blooded Democrat. 1t simply means
there are Democrats in the country
able to fill positions as well as Re
publicans."
Attention was called by Representa-
tive Moore to a communication for
warded to the House. in which he said
1t was the earnest wish OF the Presi-
dent that the consular bill should be
passed at this session OF Congress
This is the same President" explain
ed Mr. Moore, who recently stated in
a public speech that he stood only for
a particular party, and that he desired
to see the interests of that party only
advanced II this bill is intended to
grant that elasticity in the foreign
service for which the Secretary of
State spoke in the Wick letter. the
measure is a bad one and should not
be passed.
Il am in favor Of this bill" observed
Representative Mann. IF 1t could be made
to strengthen the backbone of the State
Department" Mr.. Mann read a wireless
message he received yesterday morning
from a passenger aboard the steamer
New Amsterdam. bound for Germany,
announcing the vessel had been held up
by the British cruiser Carona in sight
of New York and that American citizens
had been compelled by British officers to
show their passports. Mr.. Mann read AMI
opinion by Hamilton Fish. former Secre-
tary of State. handed down at the time of
the Franco-Prussian war. in which Secre- |
tary Fish took exceptions to the action OF
French vessels in searching Americana
vessels and demanding of the French Am
bassador that the practice be discon-
tinued. |
How refreshing 1t is to go back to the !
lays of Grant and Hamilton Fish, cried |
Mr. Mann. land learn that we then had |
The nerve to tell the French to keep their !
from interfering with our har-
it kept them away; and today |
we ought to insist upon our rights being |
upon the high seas
The bill used as a vehicle for the debate |
IN the Wick letter was passed without /
amendment. 1t provides for reclassifica-
ion Of the consular service and directs
hat appointees to the service shall be ap-
pointed to grades to individual posts Any
promotion from a lower to a higher class
S TO be held as a new appointment, re-
luiring confirmation by the Senate. The
purpose Of the bill is to establish more
irmly the consular service on a basis
" merit