The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-10-07


Washington esq, will be the acting Secretary of the
Treasury.
THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE ABUSES OF OUR
CONSULAR SYSTEM.
The National Laelgencer of the 3D. instant contains
letter from the Paris correspondent Of the New York Com
mercia Advertiser which gives most lamentabe account
of the abuses abroad of consular system The main
object of the letter seems be eulogse Mr. Hodge late
consul at Marsees and hold him as solitary example
of fidelity in the discharge of bis official duties The act
of Mr. Hodge which calls forth especial laudahon MS
voluntarily renouncing the principal revenue of his office
in abandoning the privilege of passport rs for each OF
which under the law he entitled to receive two dol
lars The understands from private source
that Mr. Hodges object in this generous act was 10 pre-
cent the thousand and such little american consals M
Europe a, foreigners from ndugng any longer in that
lucrative business known in their particular slang man
ufacurng Americans The writer adds that Mr. Hodge
"hopes his example will be followed by other American
consus in Europe and that he has laid the whole matter
in ertenso before the government at Washington in the
expectation of obtaining central sid from that
quarter"
There are some things in these statements which cal
culated to provoke word of criticism Mr. Hodge has
been Marsees many years. and consequently has been
long cognzan of the abuses graphically described by the
Paris correspondent He has during all this time enjoyed
the fee of dollars for every wise allowed by law 1t
happens however that about the time that his is
to take his place he determines to set example of gener
osty fer the purpose of inducing all other American
suls like him. to their fees and thereby relieve
American travellers Of the annoyances to which they
subject in passing through European countries He deter
mines ALSO the time to acquaint his government
with the abuses which make these anpOyances embar-
RAISING IL be regretted that Mr. Hodge did not con-
cude try the force of his example and to acquan
government of the alleged abuses at an earlier day. We
fear that his example and his information will be less po
,enta from the fact that they delayed too long But
exceedingly anxious for reformation in the
abuses of consular system indulge the hope that the
force of Mr. Hodges example may not be entirely lost
other consuls
The point in this letter however, to which we wish to
direct especial attention is that in which the writer seeks
TO make the impression that there thousand and
little American consuls in Europe uho are foreigners This
statement whether designed not, is calculated to
make the impression that the administration has filled the
consulaes in Europe ASIA and Africa with foreigners to
the exclusion Of American citizens The statement is Of
the same character with that TO which called attention
some weeks in regard the Partially for foreigners
in the appointments made by the administration at home
We confronted that fabrication with the facts and expo-
ed it, We have made the inquiries in regard to
this last fabrication and prepared to show that the
administration is as unassaabe in regard its foreign
as to its domestic appointments.
The statement that there thousand and one LITTLE
American consuls in Europe gross exaggeration The
whole number of consuls vceconsns and consular agents
in the service of our government in Europe ASIA and AT
rca does exceed the half of the number stated by thu
Paris be in Europe tits true however that
of those who were office when the present administration
came into power very large portion foreigners Th
attention of Secretary Marcy directed to the reforma
ton of this abuse as early the LIST Of June 1885, when
s,ped circular letter the consus of the United States
in which he declared emphaticay Where it is prncti
ah,e No other than citizens of the United States to
hereafter nrusted with the performance of any con
suar act You will accordingly, within reasonable TIM
after the receipt of this circular make the changes hereby
eoured and receive into your service consular clerks h
owe allegiance to this government" In the same circular
Secretary Marcy says
The President in the performance of his duties, con
ceves that he has alternative bu to manifest his dede'
Interpretation of the anAmercan practices and tenden
cies which but too palpabe IN our consular establish
ment There many of our ctzens-young men-at hom
and abroad who of acquiring knowledge OF ON
or another the continental languages OF
edge which, in after years. would be valuable to the govern
men the peopeand is recommended to our con
such assistants in the confident belief tina
they will be found equally effective and trustworthy
Again. Secretary Marcy adds;
when consuls appoint vce-conuls consular agents
which it is scarcely necessary remark should be citizens
the United States they required to communicate tn
fact to this department"
These extracts from Secretary Marcy circular of Snne
1853 show concusvely the policy of this administration
regard the appointment of foreigners as consuls
yiceconsuls Upon inquiry, we learn that the policy 81
distinctly indicated has been vigorously and successfully
carried out The following statement shows not only To
extent of the abuse when President Pierce into office
but the fidelity with which it has been reformed
Number of vicecopsu who held Office in Europe tn
Ath of March, 1858, removed because they no
citizens Of the United States IL
Number of vice consus in the colonial possessions Of Eu
ropesn powers in Asia and Africa, who held office
the Cd of March 1885, removed for the reason 10
Who'll ,,rbsr -smoved - 22
That there are glsrng defects in our consular system