The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-05
The Consular System Of the United States.
The modern Office Qfconsul first originated i:

1pc AAvuSAu vAASV " VviAHWA NE Va i6iossVN -
Italy, about the middle Of the twelfth century.
The commercial relations Of the Venetians and
Genoese republics with various other countries
barbarous and civilized, rendered the establish;
ment of foreign consuls necessary, whose duties
it should be to look after the commercial and
political interests of the governments they re-
presented.
Other governments, as their commerce be-
came extended, found it necessary to adopt the
consular system. England, as her trade be-
came enlarged, at an early period, followed
the example of Italy France also adopted
the system, followed by other countries, until
at the present time there is no civilized gov
eminent without its consular representatives
scattered over the world.
There is no official service more important
than that rendered by consuls to their govern
ments when properly discharged. Their Offices
are threefold First, to look after the shipping
and commercial interests of their governments;
secondly, to keep them posted regarding all
political movements of Importance; thirdly,
to note all improvements OF importance,
whether in inventions, mechanics, or discoveries
or improvements in the arts, and especially in
agriculture &C., accounts Of which should be
recorded, and transmitted to their govern
ments. They should also thoroughly under
stand the political and physical character of
their own country, and be fully posted as to
its statistics, resources, &C., so that they might
be able to answer questions promptly, and to
hold up the good points of their country to the
admiration of others, and thereby gain esteem
and confidence.
Scarcely any two States have adopted pre-
cisely the same consular system. That Of Eng
land is, no doubt established on the most ex-
tensive and efficient scale, yet it is in some re-
spects extremely defective.
Among them all that of the United States is
the worst We hang to system which was
imperfectly organized in 1892 just after the
adoption of the constitution by thirteen COM
paratively poor and feeble States. In 1892 the
whole cotton crop of the United States only
reached 357 bales. Whitney's saw-gin was not
invented until 1894, which increased the crop
of l794-'95 to $3.50 bales. In 1892 we were.
unable to pay salaries to consuls. The consul
lar fees at Liverpool were insignificant, while
those at Havre and Havana were NOT
worth having. Indeed, but few American
consuls were sent abroad, and we had to
rely upon the services of a few friendly
foreign merchants, among whom was Mr..
Fitzpatrick, the father of the present Empress
Of France, at Malaga in Spain. In 1903, fifty
years ago, Congress passed an act simplifying
the previous law of 1892, but which did not
change the very serious defects of the old.
Since that time to the present no other law has
been enacted The imperfections Of the system
have grown into monstrous grievances and the
whole rendered more or less useless or posi-
lively injurious, as far as the highest interest of
the country is concerned
In the past fifty years the country has ex-
panded into thirty-one States. with popula-
ton Of about twenty-five millions. The crop of
cotton from few hundred bales has increased
to one of over three millions. Almost every
thing has changed. Even State constitutions
have been remodelled, and vast territories cul-
tivated, but the wretched consular system of
1903 remains just where the law of that year
left it. All attempts to remodel or improve it
have failed. If the system is bad, the mode of
filling consular appointments is still worse,
and grossly reprehensibe. Qualifications are
rarely thought of by any administration. The
extent of assumed party services by applicants
have generally appeared to be the sole test Of
qualifications A man who fas performed dirty
work in local or State elections-a man with
out political honesty, or the sincere re-
spect or confidence of the community
who knows little of his own country and less
Of those at distance whose education and
pursuits have been of a nature to unfit him for
the duties of consul who knows comparative
~ little and cares less for the laws of nations
or of trade, is ignorant Of all languages but
that of his mother tongue, and Of all sciences
and arts but those Of the village pettifogger or
pothouse orator, and reckless of all improve
ments save those adapted to the winning an
offce-no sooner does his party triumph than
he is first to claim his reward. Not tit for any
responsible Office at home, be is thought good
enough for a consul, and is forthwith despatch
ed to represent the country abroadto watch
over the commercial interests Of our merchants,
and to elevate the character and dignity of our
Couhtiy ny the superior eAuhpie ol Hts pro-
found knowledge, integrity, and industry In
plain English to injure our commerce, disgust
his countrymen travelling abroad, aud to lower
his country and people in the eyes of all en-
lightened foreigners.
In the last fifty years Liverpool has grown
to pay our consul in fees nine to ten thousand
dollars per annum, and Havana about as much.
These offices are generally bestowed on po-
litical partzans, for their services, while other
ccnsulates, in many respects scarcely less equal
in commercial and political Importance, afford
fees inadequate to support respectable persons
in Office, and are either filled by foreigners or
someTpolitcian who is incapable of doing
anu fhinn ~ Or