The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-16

| toga o'nniun gathevum.
Cur Diplomatic and Consular Services.
The question Of the insufaciency Of the re-
sular representatives. abroad, is one that has
long occupied public attention here, whilst
strong conviction ON the subject invariably
forces itself upon the minds Of those who have
an opportunity If witnessing its resalts on the
scenes of their labors Although as much opposed
to extravaganza in this as In any other depart
ment Of the public service, we yet hold that
there is none in which we should more carefully
avoid the opposite extremes of parsimony and
meanness. II the object Of our diplomatic mis-
sions were merely to make our ministers pro-
pagapdists Of republican principles there would
be consistency in restricting them to the mar
row incomes and simple appearances which are
supposed to typay republican severity. But
when their purpose Is avowedly to further our
political interests In courts where appearances
are every thing, and where wealth is regarded
as the emblem of power, it would be absurd to
attempt to effect that object by running counter
to the established habits and prejudices of
other countries, and by setting ourselves up as
reformers of errors which do not at all affect
us. Such position, besides, could not but
prove embarrassing aud distasteful to men ofany
delcacy or sensitiveness of feeling. Instead of
being able to devote themselves to the real OBJ
jects of their missions, our ENJOYS would be in
volyed in perpetual warfare Of petty principles
and etiquette, which, by singing them out as Oh
jects Of hostility and annoy ance, would in many
instances destroy all feeling of personal coat
dence and impair their usefllness. Without
again going over the old ground, which has
been 20 frequently md sharply debated we be-
lieve Mat we are correct 10 assuming that the
general feeling Of the country is now in fav,,r
Vi granting w is. siplv...-.se --,a consular snr-
wants such liberal allowances as will enabl.
them to discharge with becoming dignity tn
important duties assigned to them.
The bill introduced in the United States S, :
nate in the beginning Of June, and which was
referred to and reported back without amend
ment by the Committee on Foreign Affairs wa
q move in the right direction; and It is to be
regretted that the session was too far advanced
to give immediate effect to it. In order that
our readers may understand the nature Of the
reforms contemplated by this measure, it will
be necessary to describe the diplomatic and
consular services as they art at present consti-
tuted.
The United States has twenty eight foreign
legations. Ten Of these, at the opening of the
present Congress, were represented by ministers
plenipotentisry, two by ministers resident.
fourteen by charges d'afaiyss, and two by
commissioners. BY the etiquette OF diplo
matte rank, all ministers below the grade of en-
voy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
are restricted in their influence with the gov
ernment5 to which they are accredited. The
letter of credence of charge d'nfaires Is sd
dressed merely to the minister Of the foreign
department, and the presentation of the bearer
of it to the sovereign or chief Of the state Is
matter Of courtesy. In the case of full
minister the presentation lie matter Of right
A charge d'afaires requests, minister may
demand an audience The consequences OF this
unmeaning distinction are obvioue. When the
minister holds the lesser rank he il not only
debarred from that free access to the sovereign
which would be conducive to the objects Of his
mission, but he is subjected to many social
humliations, from the fact that the ministers
plenipotentiary from smaller States invariably
take precedence Of him. The proposed bill
abolisbes this invidiOus classification by elevat-
ing all United States ministers to the grade Of
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo-
tertiary. 1t further provides secretary for
each legation, who will be able to replace the
minister at his post in case of temporary illness
or any other unavoidable accident
The present system Of remuneration Of these
officers is about one of the most vicious and i'll
conceived that could possibly have been
devised. The complaint against Uncle Sam
ought not I, be in allty that he does rot pay
enough TO his nts in this branch Of the public
service, but that the large amount that he
does ray should be so grossly misapplied. The
ministers plenipotent airy receive At the time Of
the acceptance Of their appointments, outfits Of
$1,000 each, and annual salaries Of IS, 900. One ef
the ministers resident receives salary Of 50, 900
and the o,her an outfit of $4,000 and $4,000
salary. The charges receive outfits Of $4,000
each and salaries Of 500 One of the Commi--
,ioncis receives $1,000 outfit and $4,000 sala-
~, and the other 81, 900 salary. Each Of our
representatives in the diplomatic branch Of the
public service is allowed what is called m in
IL, equal to three months of his annual compen-
sation.
Now, tbe effsct Of this absurd system Of out
dts and infts, Is to divert from the objects Of
the mission Just half the amount allowed by
Congress to promote them. In the case Of
most ministers, they are temptation to pre-
-ent extravsgarce and source Of future em-
bArrass nent Many man spends his OUTFIT for |
purposes entirely different from that for which