The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-18
The American Consular system-Its ID. fsots
and Hardships.

The American Consular system-Its DE- feots
and Hardships.
The consular system of the United States, a. we
have freq nenty shown, is not only inadequate to
fuhl the purposes for which 1t was intended Out
is posinvely disgrace to the country. There Is
no nation pretending to any degree OF civliizaton'
the consular system of which is not more perfect
more defined, more syste attic, better adaptro 70
effect the objects for which II framed, than trat
OF the United States, which, at best, Is nothing
but collection of heterogeneous precedents, forms,
parts parcels, portions, and tail ends Of laws pass
ed, from time to time, from the commence
ment of our history to within snort time ago,
without order, digestion, method or system. Its
defects palpable, the evil effects accruinq
from 1t so apparent, and the evils grow
ing out OF it Injurious to the interests
of the commercial portion of the country, as
well as those Of individuals, that it is a matter
OF wonder and surprise it has not been abolish
ed, and new system substituted, or the old one
SO amended that 1t would IN some degree, at least,
answer the desired end, long before this. The at
tention of Congress has been called to this subject
frequently, by the press and by members Of the 60
vernment; but no step has been taken 10 apply
remedy. Mr. Buchanan, in luminous and able
erposS of the present system, pointed out all Its de-
fects. and suggested appropriate corrections; but
the matter passed over, and from that time to the
present the subject has not been even alluded to on
the floor Of either house Of Congress- But, to the
point which we have in view IN this article.
On the third of January, 1847, Mrs. Vail, wi
dow of Eugene Vail, died interstate at Auteul, near
Paris, having as well apartments at that place
as others in Paris, which were elegantly furnished
Her personal estate consisted of
Stocks In the hands Of her bankers franos 1872 900
Balance due her on account. 80. ......... 1900
Furniture to the amount Of. .............. 1890
Total francs. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 226, $50
In pursuance of the present consular system of
the United States, a part of which Is an old law
passed in the year 1892 and at the request of the
relatives Of the deceased lady, the United States
Consul at Paris, Mr. Walsh. took possession of the
apartments then lately occupied by the deceased
lady, and also of her property, as far as he could,
and placed his consular seal on them. As soon as
possible after tidings of Mrs. Wallis death reached
the United States, her representatives sent power
of attorney to lady 10 Paris, authorizing her to
settle and manage all the affairs of the deceased
lady. AS soon as the receipt of the power of at.
torney was exhibited to the American Consul, he
sent in bill to the lady who held it, for his fees
and sions, of 999 francs and fifty centimes.
which was made out as foows:-
Commission stocks. funds in the hands Of
Mersrs. HottpReur. the decreased lady's
bapkars (whiob however. never into
the possess'os of the consu) for $4,000,
On o.l.ncs Of .ocount 1000 :ac., 1T pc; A'00 %
oS Estimated 1.ia. Of furniture, 1880, 700 90
~. ................... 400 50
Total, franos. $500 so
This large amount of money-neary twelve
hundred dollars-was charged by the consul az
fees, for merely taking Inventory of the deceas-
ed Mrs. Wallis property, and placing his seal on
her apsrtments-he never having received the funds
In the hands OF the Messrs. Hottiuguer, because of
their refusal to comply with his request to hand them
over to him. Under this state of things, the ladv
who was empowered by letter of attorney to settle
the estate, refused to pay the bill, and the consul
refused to take off his seals until he had received
the full amount which he claimed. Under the adj
wee of Messrs. Hothnguer, he was paid the sum
of one thousand francs, provided he would remove
his sealsw the understanding that the bill should
be left to the opinion of Mr.. Buchanan, Secretary
of State. II he thought the bill proper 1t would
be paid in full; If not-not. The bill was accord
inely referred; and in deciding upon it, Mr.. Blu
chanan, with the advice Of Attorney General CHI.
ford, decided that under the ''ac OF April, 1892"
the consul's charges properly and legally
made. and ought to be paid. There was no RENE.
dy, therefore, and they were paid.
Now, 1t is toe bad that for the services rendered
in this by the consul, which really and truly
amounted to but little, the charges should be
so great; but we have the opinion of Mr.. Bucha.
nan, backed by that OF the Attorney General of
the United States, that under the present ineffi.
cient consular system-especially that part of IT
termed the 'act Of April, I792"-they were perfect
ly legal Yet such is the fact, and 1t proves what
we have frequently stated-the necessity of re-or.
ganlzipg our whole consular system. and among
other reforms and changes. placing our consuIs on
regular salaries, instead of having them de ,en-
dent on fees and commissions for remuneration for
their services. This, however, Is but one of the
many evils of the present system-if system it can
be caled-and but one specimen OF the hardship
which 1t entails on our people abroad.
Mr.. WEBSTER AS A LITERARY MAN-It is stated