Evening journal., 1916-06-23
pARr1IsANsH1P IN CONSULAR SERVICE.

wuyHII,E II is generally known that the Wilson ad-
w ministraton has been the most intensely partisan
Of any since Andrew Jackson established the prnc-
pie that ito the victors belong the spois," yet few
people know the real extent to which the admnistra
ton has gone in subordinatng government efficiency
70 political party expendiecy. Indeed, the record is
such an amazing that few people are willing to
believe IT, even when the story is supported by evil
dence.
But the public will not be left in the dark. Nor will
President Wilson be permitted to mslead the voters
by his present appeal for non-pRrsanshp Congress-
man Rogers OF Massachusetts, has rendered a very
important service TO the American people by placing
in the Congressional Record by means Of speech
on the floor OF the House, statement Of some OF the
acts Of this administration in turning the consular
service over to seekers Of spois.
After showing that the merit system in the con-
sular service was firmly established during Repub-
lican administration in 1906. Mr. Rogers shows that
early in 1914 President Wilson began setting aside the
merit system Of appointments and promotions. To re-
move any apprehension that this policy was the work
OF W. j. Bryan then Secretary of State, Mr. Rogers
points the fact that of the first six appointments
made in violation Of the merit system, three were OF
men who lived in New Jersey and in whom Bryan
had no interest. The other three appointments
OF men from Virginia. Illinois, and Texas and it was
evident that some one other than Bryan interested
In the appointments
II did not take Bryan long. however, TO take the
cue from his chief and to devise a means Of making
! these appointments himself BY appointing men to
minor positions and then after promoting them
to hgh-salared places In the consular service he
circumvented the requirements of the merit system
the Republicans had established test OF qualif-
cation
Thus, Just President Wilson had set aside the
regulations by executive order. Mr.. Bryan evaded
them by making preliminary appointments to unde-
sirable positions but which could he made a stepping
stone to permanent positions in the service BY these
methods inexperienced men were placed on the gov
ernment payroll alongside with 90 to 25 years
of practical experience in the foreign field
As Mr.. Rogers pointed out the most serious feature
OF this overthrow of the merit system was not in the
loss of the salary that is paid TO inexperienced men
who supplant men Of demonstrated efficiency The
adoption of the policy of partsanship dscourages men
Of real ability and qualification from aspiring posi-
tons in the consular service. Without assurance OF
permanency Of employment they will not prepare for
the work, and having secured positions they feel no
incentive 10 put forth their best efforts demonstrate
ability. for their positions may be taken away from
them whenever party expedency requires
Moreover II is discouraging to men who have made
every effort TO their country WELL when they see
inexperienced men given supervisory positions at large
salaries. while there thirty forty men already in
the service and fully qualified left In the subordinate
positions This policy OF using the consular service
for political reward tends to destroy the ambition Of
men upon whom the usefulness OF the service de-
pends.