The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-06-14
The Consular Service.


Der of consuls are appointed, to reside in
different foreign cities and towns.
The duties of the consuls, however, are
very different from those of the ENJOYS,
or ministers. The latter are employed to
negotiate treaties, and to look after the
general interests of their country. The
consuls, on the other hand, have almost
entirely commercial and maritime duties.
There are two sorts of consuls in the
service of the nation; those who reside in
inland cities and towns, and those who
reside at seaports.
The chief task of the inland consuls is,
to see to it that goods sent from the
place where they are stationed to the
United States are properly "invoiced."
Our revenue system requires that the
''invoices," or detailed lists and descrip-
tons of the goods entering American
ports, shall truthfully state the prices at
which they are sold to the American
merchant. 1t is the consul's duty to see
that these prices are correctly put down
in the invoices.
He must, therefore, if he would do his
duty, study the qualities and prices of
the goods sent from his station, examine
the invoices, to see if they are truthful,
and then certify that they are so.
The duties are so high on many for
eign goods that a great temptation is Of
fered to dishonest exporters to "under-
value" them, and thus save some of the
tax on them. This, if successfully done,
enables the purchaser on this side, OF
course, to sell the goods more cheaply in
our market than can other merchants.
1t is for the consul to detect such at
tempted frauds, and notify our custom
houses when they are tried. He has the
power to require samples of the goods to
be brought to his office with the invoices,
that he may the better judge and COM
pare them.
Besides this duty of examining invoices,
the inland consuls are entrusted with
that of certifying to signatures to deeds
and other documents, as notary would;
he may issue passports, and when any
American is arrested, or gets into trouble,
the consul must see that no injustice is
done to him, and must help him, if his
case is deserving one.
Consuls at seaports have other duties
added to these. 1t is for them to look
after the interests Of the American ships,
and especially of American sailors, who
enter the port. When ship comes in,
the consul receives the ships papers from
the captain. He supervises the paying
off of the sailors, and if these are dis
charged, the consul looks after them, sees
that they are well lodged, and at need
pays their fare to another port, whence
they may ship again for home.
The office of a consul, though it has
some disagreeable features, is generally a
very pleasant one. 1t gives the recipient
chance to visit and see foreign lands.
There are few consulates that are not
situated in picturesque and curious old
cities or towns, with vicinities full of ro-
mantle and historic interest.
The duties are not very heavy, for
wherever there is great deal to do, the
Government allows the consul plenty of
clerks to help him. Consuls are allowed
vacations of ten days in every quarter,
and besides, may be absent from their
office sixty days in the year.
This allows ample time to visit the
most interesting countries and cities, and
to make the most of foreign residence.
The consul travels, too, with peculiar ad
vantages, for he finds brother consuls at
almost every port he reaches, who wei
come and pay him attention, and show
him the sights.
The social position to which the con-
sul's office entities him makes his resi-
dence abroad very pleasant, and enables
him to see much of the inner life and
customs of the foreign people among
whom he lives. He is invited to all cere-
monies and public celebrations, to the
official balls aud receptions, has easy ac-
cess to the courts and Legislative bodies,
and feels the agreeable sensation of find
ing himself person Of no small impor-
lance.
Let us add that the salaries paid to
consuls are usually generous, although
some of the consuls have to live as best
they can upon the small sums they col
lect as official fees.-Youths Companion.
WHERE'S THE CAT2-The skeleton of
q cat walked into Ryan's shop the other
day. Ryan, seeing her, bawled out,
mickey, didn't tell ye month ago to
fade that Cat pound Of mate day until
We had her fata"
aye did; an I'm just fading her
pound"
"Has that cat ate pound this morn
ingf"
ayes, sir"
"Shure, l think it's lie ye're telling.
Bring me that scales. Now bring me
that cat"
The cat turned the scales at exactly one
pound.
"There, didn't tell ye she had eaten
pound of mate this morningl"