The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-14

discharge Ii Is considered that these duties reoure lis
presence in the country 10 which he accredited ana ~
be may egmatey extend bis travels the entire extent
of that country When he goes beyond It's limits for more
than ten day il y presumed that he without the line 81
Official duty and his salary ceases until bis
The bin further provides for the location Of the oce Of
legation a central aud convenient place ia the capital ~
the country and that IL shall be kept open daily during
business hours except Sundays and holidays guards
against abuse by denying eonsu and commercial agents
In capitals where the legation OF the United States exists
The right 10 grant verify passports except in h Shsenoc
OF our diplomatic representatives and TAKES from thor the
right To exact q fee for this service
u further provides that who eilacn Of
the ned States and resident therein who shall be
employed abroad 10 the service OF the government At the
time Of his appointment shall be lghle representative
abroad By this seeks make our Representative
national both in character and sentiment
II Is unnecessary to enlarge upon any of these features
toe bill They commend themselves to adoption state
nent ana corrcc defects in prsent diplomatic system
universally acknowledged doubt il there Is any one PRES
ent who does not acquesce in their importance now come
Ar Speaker, to the consular part of the bill
Mr. ORR, Iaterrupting) Before the gentleman leaves
the point he is now desire ask him what viii be
the comparative expense Of the system with that Of
Dir. PERKINS thank the gentleman from South Caro-
lima for question which / expected hear from some
member Of the Committee on Finance intended before
had concluded my remarks to have given the financial
aspect of the bill but the gentleman has called my AZ
tention to il will give il now
Mr.. ORR. do not wish To interfere with the gentle
mans of remark
Mr. PERKINS In the year 1885, the entire expenditure
Of the country for its foreign diplomatic service
S5913A The salaries proposed to he given by this bill
will amount to only S322 oo0 making saving of about
s75,3li The bill viii accomplish this by curament Of
the abuses of which have spoken. have here an es-
mate with calculations attached which could read 10 the
House. but doubt whether II would all simplify my ex
pianaton / ! announce only the result
Mr.. SHELTON rise to ask a question OF the honora-
able gentleman from louisiana This expenditure which
he has stated to the House includes presume other ex
penditaes besides the regular salaries and outfits Does
it not2
Mr. PERKINS. lido understand distinctly the quea-
ton of the gentleman.
Mr.. SHELTON. You have stated the expense Of our
foreign diplomacy want to know If that does not om-
brace other expenditures besides salaries aud outfits
Mr. PERKINS ! am thankful to the gentlenan from
New Jersey for bringing to my mind single estimate ia
this expense which win illustrate the House the
sty of the reform stated, in his first ques-
ton that at the foundation Of the government the ouy
appropriation for foreign service was $4oooo Yet or The
want OF the definite rules provided by this bill eyeryhing
being left to the discretion Of the Executive whatever
emergency of one moment has called for justified under
one administration has been sufficient justification for
the same outlay under the next and thus from time 10
time from the first simple expenditure every thing is nov
indefinite and the Secretary of State may justify any
expenditure Thus, we have $4,000 contingent fund for
foreign missions $40 900 contingent fund for foreign inter
course and do not know how many other estimates that
might enumerate in tie way. This bill excludes
and makes unnecessary the estimate for foreign missions
thus cutting Off in one item $4,000 In this way made
the saving of the $4,000 to which called the attention
of the House.
Inow proceed with the consular portion OF the bill II
has been asked why attach a diplomatic bin consular
reform The reasons sir were obvious 10 the Comaee
on Foreign Affairs The evils of both systems alike
AT present there s rule Of this in reference
TO the charges OF either consular diplomatic
has it been possible say when those charges within
rules and precedents One Secretary of State uses one
and another another AS an illustration may, perhaps
Of this House When had something to repors fron, my
committee found no law to govern The experience
Of the chairman Of the committee led to the proper
sourcea source certainly should have thought of
going to to guide me- and one which mention
without being unparliamcntary, and yet IL the ouy
source from which could receive the information which
has enabled this House to upon important
The consular system is portion of the foreign service
and therefore, properly attached bill 10 regulate the
foreign service Consus appointed in the way
the foreign ministers BY the Executive and confirmed by
the Senate They report alike to The State Department
The reforms that affect the diplomatic service affect 10
certain degree the consular service The evils have the
origin. We copied from England their consular sys-
tenn, we copied from England their diplomatic system
We have retained il without modification One reform Of
this BILL which operates equally upon dipomatsts and
consn this and especially invite the attention Of the
House to it. Heretofore there has been nothing prevent
the Executive from commissioning act foreign agent
the citizen of another governments person. for instance
who-n the employ of Ausra--an Austrian sublectinay
hold the commission Of this government in Vienna and
discharge the duties Of American consul In point OF fact
the majority of those in consular service
time foreigners, and armed with power tax
indefinite extent American and American cii-
zens in manner most injurious to interests and of
which will speak when come TO the question of fees un
der this bill.
One great reform which this bill proposes is that
but American citizen shall be entitled bold office
Also retaining ministers their posts is made by this
bill apply eonsuls Heretofore has sometimes hap
pened that individual wishing travel abroad and
with influence has secured foreign consulate 1t gave
him immunities and privileges He met with reception
honorable than he would have citizen There
obligation upon him to remain at his commercial
post He might leave foreign agent 10 discharge bis
duties and in point Of fact this has been frequently done
that would have consul for instance Liverpool
Rio Havre realizing $4,000 from the Of
the country in the OF fees enjoying himself IN foreign
travel while the duties discharged by foreigner
This bill provides that any consul who leaves bis post or
than days time shall lose his salary during
his absence We thus require in the consular in the d
pomatic service that officers shall remain their
posts At this point should prefer II il Is agreeable 10
members that the House should go into COMMITTEES, and
win finish what have 10 say the consular part Of the
system tomorrow
Mr. CLtNGMAN. I hope the proposition Of my friend
will be acceled II il desirable that the bill should be
printed with the additional sections which have been
printed II go into the Globe and all sec II
tomorrow.
BY general consent the bill ordered be printed
Mr. CLiNGMAN. | now that the rules be
pended and that the House resolve itself into the Commit
tee of the W hole the state Of the Union.
The motion agreed TO.
The House accordingly resolved itself into the Committee
OF the Whole the state Of the Onion, Mr. ORR the
char and resumed the consideration of The special order
House bill No. 1851 TO provide for the establishment Ut
railroad and telegraphc communication from the Atlantic
States TO the Pacific and fol other purposes The
gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr. cnASDLEal beinS eat-