The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-03


times thousands Of dollars in folding that
branch Of bis duties He renders his accounts
quarterly or semi annually; he waits many
months to hear of their adjustment, and when
he finally draws for the amount and realizes it,
near year may have elapsed since the ex-
penditure; and for all this he is to charge
nothing, where money may be worth one, two,
or three per cent per month, and which, in all
probability having, of course, none Of his
own-he may have borrowed at that rate!
This would not be go cruel upon Consuls near
er home, but it will not do justice to any. The
five per cent now allowed never compensates.
The same clause enacts sthat Consuls shall not
be interested in any profits derived from cloth
ing, boarding, or sending home destitute sea-
men," it is to be hoped they never will be.
The twenty first section relates to the adj
justment of the estates Of citizens of the United
in dying may specially appoint the Consul as
administrator upon their property. For such
services the Consul is to receive certain fees
ard commissions, which are also to be account
ed for and handed over to the government Of
the United States. We do not admit the power
of Congress. to enact such a law. A Consul's
partner in business, or intimate friend, dies and
leaves his affairs in his hands, and the govern
ment Of the United States steps in to deprive
the administrator and executor of his rights.
If Congress can extend SUCH laws over foreign
places, why not apply them at home too?
The twenty. second section relates to the
books of the consulate, ana ia proper enough,
except in a. far as relates to the absurdity Of
recording the crew lists of all American vessels,
and the names of the owners. 1t would require
at least one clerk to perform that duty slone
in some ports-Liverpool for instance. Where
is the necessity Of taking voluminous copies OF
things which are already of record in the United
States custom houses? Who will ever care to
know the names Of the sailors, fremen and
cabin boys OF our vessels, especially as three
fourths of them sail under fictitious names? Or
Of what Importance will it be to history to en-
ter into ponderous tones the names Of the forty
odd owners frequently appearing on the regis
ter of some little down-east schooner? This
section smacks of the good old days when ships
went on voyages AMI returned once in three
years; but it is unsuited to this age of steam
We must endeavor to simplify and facilitate
things instead of hedging them around with
difficulties.
We have now disposed Of the leading fea.
lures Of the bill seriatim, and, without refer
ring particularly to the report Of Mr.. Perkins
accompanying it, we will sum up the subject
in few general remarks.
This bill assumes to remedy the present in
equality of compensation received by Consuls,
but it fails most signally in doing so, as is
shown on the face of the document ITSELF There
is certainly no equality between $4,000 and
$500. Unlike the trainers of this bill, we do not
contend for equality in compensation, but we
do contend that where there is a necessity for
Consul at all, his services are worth more than
$500. Those who are rated at that sum should
at least be permitted 10 retain all their fees.
We repeat, that it would be contemplate for a
great nation to offer its confidential and re-
sponsible agents abroad such paltry sums
We are certain that there are many gentlemen
now holding minor consular appointments, who
would rather starve upon the uncertain and
precarious fees of office than submit to the in
dignity Of accepting such pittance, and there
by rendering themselves and their government
and the authorities at their places of residence.
A person may exist on such petty sums in
Mediterranean ports, but it will scarcely pay of.
fee rent in American, Asiatic, and many other
ports. The Department Of State is aware of
this fact, else why is $4,000 allowed the consul
ate at London for coffee rent" &C.? If
equality" be the object, why not adopt, to .
certain extent, the plan of other great CONNER
cial nations which have oeen for generations
perfecting their consular systemss England,
France, &C., pay oil first class Consuls uni
form salary, which, in itself, is generally
sufficient for decent maintenance Or
course, the amounts Of fees received must
vary very much; but the Consul who
gets almost nothing that way, is above
want, and can devote his entire services to his
government and watch its interests carefully.
Here we take occasion to say that we are too
apt in this country to think consuls are Of very
little use, because it is oil plain sailing
to those of other nations who reside amongst
us Our laws and authorities give them and
their fellow subjects, or citizens, no annoyance;
but such of us as have been abroad-and we
do not allude to the common routes Of travel
know that q United States Consul has no
sinecure Of his Office. The Consuls Of the ma
tions alluded to receive very small fees from their
fellow subjects, but make foreigners pay we'll
for their services. This is as it should be- Chart
ty begins at home We therefore insist that
Mr.. Perkins bill should be amended by substi-
tutiDg uniform salaries to the Consuls at i'm
portant places, great reduction in the tariff
of fees where American citizens are concerned,
and the retention by the Consuls of all their
fees. OF course, some offices would be much
more valuable than others; but we have no
objection to that, provided oil are Independent.