The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-15
~ THE n AIIS.
INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE
FROM
W A s. = 7 n CT ON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, ls4e.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1876.
Mr. Buchandns Plan of q Consular System
The evils resulting to commercial and national
interests from the present confused vague and unaysts
matte consular organization, cannot be overestmatsd
From Mr. Buchanans able pan to be presented to Con-
greu tomorrow, appears that the laws passed from
time to time since 1905 and scattered over the statute
books, compilation having ever been made 20 that 1,
Is impossible for consua abroad have to
the authorities in doubtful cases. without being furnish
ed with large Law library.
Mr.. Buchanan recommends the adoption Of general
law for the guidance of census all cases. prescribing
their powers and duties, and framed Complementary
as to leave part of the duty Of consul to bo guessed
at as Is unavodably the at prssensuch general
law to repeal all former acts treating Of the powers and
duties of consuls.
appears that there are at present one hundred and
seventyseven United States consulates in existence
Many of these ere, have been until lately filed by
suh,sos and citizens Of the governments under which
they exist others filed by American merchants who
the duties merely for the sake of the position
the ONCE coufers aud for the purpose OF increasing
their buaDss. the Office creates confidence in those
wishing TO make eonsgnments at the time that the
emolumsnts ia many small to be entirely
inadequate to the support of consul, especially he
happen to have family.
MIR Buchanan recommends the formation of severity
four coDsulaes and ty Ave vice censulass making in
sll hundred and twenty He remarks that the
system Of vice consulses having been tried by Great
Britain, has been found to operate admirably. He also
advises that in ssmibsrbarous COUNTLESS such the
Barbary States. and on the shores Of the Lsvant our
consu shall be invested with the title Of consul gene
raj His reason Tor this. 10, that American consus in
those countries often called upon to adjust serious
punish crimes committed by American citizens. we'll
In those countries whore rank and high sounding titles
are treated with Difference and respect the title
consul does net claim that confederation at the hands Of
the that to the maintenance OF
rights and the honor Of fag and that 10
quence eonsus at the different ports Of those coun
subjected To many serious sights and annoy
ancss. calculated to lower government whose only
representatives they In those pieces in the estima
ton Of the natives and operating to the
deiment Of commerce, and Of eur national chsrac-
ter To such slighs and annoysnces, the consuIs OF
other nations who are clothed with the powers and title
of consus general ere subjected, enjoying In this
an advantage ono ordinary Importance over our
ccnsuls For ali these and other weighty he ad
;ses thu institution the rank Of consul general hch
In addition advantages have enumerated has for
n. fprthsr that will be additional
cost to the government
He recommends that the mode Of compensation be
changed At present consus ere compensated with
tho fees Of once, In ports amounting to an enor
nous revenue, and In others rifing before
marked to be entirely inconsdesble. Mr.. Buchanan
advises that consul be paid regular salary out Of the
Treasury The for this IT, that under the pressn
systsm consuls entirely at liberty to make and vsy
often do make their once subservient to their mercantile
interests He Of opinion that consuls should be proh
bsd by law from engaging In mercantile pursuits thus
preventing the too frequent sacrifice Of the interests Of
our merchants 10 private cmolument Tho consul having
business ofhs TO attend to, would not be obliged,
as the case to neglect the business Of his ofce
and receiving his stated salary and fees in compensa
ton Of his services would have Inducements to de-
fraud Besides the consus being in many instances tho
sole representatives Of government in the various
ports where they are stationed should be compelled to
hsep aIoof from any occupation calculated to expose
them. even TO the remote possibility Of an imputson
upon their honor Tho honor Of eur government, Is IN
volvsd in that OF its consuls
The report does not recommend the immediate sboii