And State Papers 593 



mand; in short, heed should be paid to absolutely 

 nothing save the man's own character and capacity 

 and the needs of the service. 



The administration of these islands should be as 

 wholly free from the suspicion of partisan politics 

 as the administration of the army and navy. All 

 that we ask from the public servant in the Philip- 

 pines or Porto Rico is that he reflect honor on his 

 country by the way in which he makes that country's 

 rule a benefit to the peoples who have come under 

 it. This is all that we should ask, and we can not 

 afford to be content with less. 



The merit system is simply one method of secur- 

 ing honest and efficient administration of the gov- 

 ernment; and in the long run the sole justification 

 of any type of government lies in its proving itself 

 both honest and efficient. 



The consular service is now organized under the 

 provisions of a law passed in 1856, which is entirely 

 inadequate to existing conditions. The interest 

 shown by so many commercial bodies throughout 

 the country in the reorganization of the service is 

 heartily commended to your attention. Several bills 

 providing for a new consular service have in recent 

 years been submitted to the Congress. They are 

 based upon the just principle that appointments to 

 the service should be made only after a practical 

 test of the applicant's fitness, that promotions should 

 be governed by trustworthiness, adaptability, and 

 zeal in the performance of duty, and that the tenure 

 9-VoL. XIV 



