The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-29

place hunters in Washington the secretaryship hap
pens, exceptionally, 10 have been held Tor scries 81
years by person This is owing 10 the fact thai he
Possesses q tceraby comprehensive acquaintance with
tho native language Hut this circumstance. while if
admirably qualities him for the duties Of interpreter
which are also demanded OF him, adds nothing his
diplomatic capacity. the scndcrncss OF which has
more than once demonstrated, and which made itself
peculiarly conspicuous in the Formosa imbroglio. Tho
government however, Is too well satisfied ut getting
one set Of public abors performed for nothing
any addition TO the stan.
now MIsERARLY INSUFFICIENT
this staff really Is event has demonstrated
For long period, has been said the positions VI
Secretary Of Legation Interpreter and IL might
be added OF clerk copyst and attaches generally had
all been lilcd by pcsOn-Dr. Williams On the
arrival OF the late Minister. Mr.. Avery, DIR. Williams
returned for season to America making a private mr.
rngemcnt BY which hts chief should be served IS in
tcrprcter by young missionary, Mr. Holcombc.
These two gentlemen actually constituted the Legation
which, upon Mr. Avery's death. a few mouths
after, thus suddenly lett In charge Of
person totally without experence WHO had commits
sion to show. and who belonged to profession which
the Chinese hold in the strongest aversion II any inn
portaut questions had arisen ut the il easy
TO conceive what the result would BEEN In Japan
again, the Minister had no subordinate assistant until
1872 excepting interpreter. who could not speak
sentence OF Japanese. During twelve years
our representatives obliged to avail themselves
transiators supplied by tho native authorities by the
British Envoy, who is always effectively provided
this respect and who is ready for than
one 10 offer the assistance OF his followers in the
management OF decaie business that concerns other
countries Since 1872 we have had both Secretary Of
interpreter. more
respectfully. But. according 10 the provision Of the
plated bill Congress, these Offices are to BE-
united the consequence OF which, II the project Is
rcd through, will be again TO deprive the Minister Of
all means OF direct communication with this govern
ment
LEGATION sEcRETARysHIPs
are political appointments and y is useless to expect
that the selection Tor this country or for China will be
influenced either by presumed knowledge or an
avowed ignorance Of the native language on the
part OF the applicant. As matter OF fact,
there Is probably not American alive
who is competent to perform the labora
OF both these Offices together The only good ntef-
prefers are missionaries and there are conclusive
why they should not at present be employed in
n diplomatic capacity II It were not that no others
arc available the expedlency Of making use OF them
interpreters would be doubtful IL Is beyond
dispute that stand far behind all the other countries
here represented in this matter. The English take
tho load Their corps transators as nearly per-
feet as study and liberal provision can make them
We be said TO come IN ut the end, Tor IL II
only by accident that have At tho Legation single
Japanese speaking attach6. As TO our Consulatcs,
they all nomlnay supplied with interpreters, bus
tho individuals who I'LL the places simply Office
this Il may be gathered that our condition IL bad
enough 1t Is, and Is not likely to be betered by
any application OF q moro rigid economy. Az
TO reductions of salary, 1t IL not necessary to
say much While tho Offices filled up as thoy
are few dollars either way mako no material
difference But any diminution OF tho present work.
ing force, either by combating incongruous duties OF
supprcssing existing Offices. will have the effect Of
deprvng tho diplomatic consular machinery Or its
last vcstige of active power The establishments
might just well be shut up and the incumbcnts
turned adrift at and forever. Thore would per-
haps be glimmcr OF In this last proceeding
In The other there Is nothing but folly and mcanness
to their last extremity of refinement