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based upon close knowledge of important problems and of their
solution in countries other than our own
From these arrangements I feel warranted in expecting a very
great improvement in our diplomatic service。 Thus formed； it
would become； in its main features； like the military and naval
services； and； indeed； in its essential characteristics as to
appointment and promotion； like any well…organized manufacturing
or commercial establishment。 It would absolutely require
ascertained knowledge and fitness in the lowest grades； and would
give promotion for good service from first to last。 Yet it would
not be a cast…iron system： a certain number of men who had shown
decided fitness in various high public offices； or in important
branches of public or private business； could be appointed；
whenever the public interest should seem to require it； as
ministers resident； ministers plenipotentiary； and ambassadors；
without having gone through examination or regular promotion。
But the system now proposed； while thus allowing the frequent
bringing in of new and capable men from public life at home；
requires that a large proportion of each grade above that of
secretary； save a very small number of diplomatic agents；
commissioners； and the like； shall be appointed from those
thoroughly trained for the service； and that all secretaries；
without exception； shall be thoroughly trained and fitted。 Scope
would thus be given to the activity of both sorts of men； and the
whole system made sufficiently elastic to meet all necessities。
In the service thus organized； the class of ambassadors and
ministers fitted by knowledge of public affairs at home for
important negotiations； but unacquainted with diplomatic life or
foreign usages and languages； would be greatly strengthened by
secretaries who had passed through a regular course of training
and experience。 An American diplomatic representative without
diplomatic experience； on reaching his post； whether as
ambassador or minister； would not findas was once largely the
casesecretaries as new as himself to diplomatic business； but
men thoroughly prepared to aid him in the multitude of minor
matters； ignorance of which might very likely cripple him as
regards very important business： secretaries so experienced as to
be able to set him in the way of knowing； at any court； who are
the men of real power； and who mere parasites and pretenders；
what relations are to be cultivated and what avoided； which are
the real channels of influence； and which mere illusions leading
nowhither。 On the other hand； the secretaries thoroughly trained
would doubtless； in their conversation with a man fresh from
public affairs at home； learn many things of use to them。
Thus； too； what is of great importance throughout the entire
service； every ambassador； minister plenipotentiary； or minister
resident would possess； or easily command； large experience of
various men in various countries。 At the same time； each would be
under most powerful incentives to perfect his training； widen his
acquaintance； and deepen his knowledgeincentives which； under
the old system；which we may hope is now passing away；with its
lack of appointment for ascertained fitness； lack of promotion
for good service； and lack of any certainty of tenure； do not
exist。
The system of promotion for merit throughout the service is no
mere experiment； the good sense of all the leading nations in the
world； except our own； has adopted it； and it works well。 In our
own service the old system works badly； excellent men； both in
its higher and lower grades； have been frequently crippled by
want of proper experience or aid。 We have； indeed； several
admirable secretariessome of them fit to be ambassadors or
ministers； but all laboring under conditions the most depressing
such as obtain in no good business enterprise。 During my stay
as minister at St。 Petersburg； the secretary of legation； a man
ideally fitted for the post； insisted on resigning。 On my
endeavoring to retain him； he answered as follows： 〃I have been
over twelve years in the American diplomatic service as
secretary； I have seen the secretaries here； from all other
countries； steadily promoted until all of them still remaining in
the service are in higher posts； several of them ministers； and
some ambassadors。 I remain as I was at the beginning； with no
promotion； and no probability of any。 I feel that； as a rule； my
present colleagues； as well as most officials with whom I have to
do； seeing that I have not been advanced； look upon me as a
failure。 They cannot be made to understand how a man who has
served so long as secretary has been denied promotion for any
reason save inefficiency。 I can no longer submit to be thus
looked down upon； and I must resign。〃
While thus having a system of promotion based upon efficiency； I
would retain during good behavior； up to a certain age； the men
who have done thoroughly well in the service。 Clearly； when we
secure an admirable man；recognized as such in all parts of the
world；like Mr。 Wheaton； Mr。 Bancroft； Mr。 Charles Francis
Adams； Mr。 Marsh； Mr。 Townsend Harris； Mr。 Washburne； Mr。 Lowell；
Mr。 Bayard； Mr。 Phelps； and others who have now passed away； not
to speak of many now living； we should keep him at his post as
long as he is efficient； without regard to his politics。 This is
the course taken very generally by other great nations； and
especially by our sister republic of Great Britain （for Great
Britain is simply a republic with a monarchical figurehead
lingering along on good behavior）： she retains her
representatives in these positions； and promotes them without any
regard to their party relations。 During my first official
residence at Berlin； although the home government at London was
of the Conservative party； it retained at the German capital； as
ambassador； Lord Ampthill； a Liberal； and； as first secretary；
Sir John Walsham； a Tory。 From every point of view； the long
continuance in diplomatic positions of the most capable men would
be of great advantage to our country。
But； as the very first thing to be done； whether our diplomatic
service remains as at present or be improved； I would urge； as a
condition precedent to any thoroughly good service； that there be
in each of the greater capitals of the world at which we have a
representative； a suitable embassy or legation building or
apartment； owned or leased for a term of years by the American
Government Every other great power； and many of the smaller
nations； have provided such quarters for their representatives；
and some years ago President Cleveland recommended to Congress a
similar policy。 Under the present system the head of an American
embassy or mission abroad is at a wretched disadvantage。 In many
capitals he finds it at times impossible to secure a proper
furnished apartment； and； in some； very difficult to find any
suitable apartment at all； whether furnished or unfurnished。 Even
if he finds proper rooms； they are frequently in an unfit quarter
of the town； remote from the residences of his colleagues； from
the public offices； from everybody and everything related to his
work。 His term of office being generally short； he is usually
considered a rather undesirable tenant； and is charged
accordingly。 Besides this； the fitting and furnishing of such an
apartment is a very great burden； both as regards trouble and
expense。 I hav