Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1878-03-26
DIPLOMATIC SALARIES.

DIfISONltTIC StIAARIENs
At q recent sitting Of the German
Parliament, the salary Of the German
ambassador in London was raised from
100, 900 marks (about $50. o00) to $780,
900 marks, equivalent to $3.50 in
American money. There is an ''econ.
omical" party in the German Legislature,
the same as in our Congress. and this
party not only opposed this addition to
the ministers salary. but advocated Its
reduction. Prince Bismarck. in reply
to this opposition. said thatif the House
insisted on giving their ambassadors
abroad less than they were required to
spend. they would be making diplo-
matte posts the exclusive domain OF the
rich. This the Government WA OPP
posed to. It sought its foreign minis
listers for their diplomatic ability. and
objected TO being restrained in its selec-
ton to men OF wealth and position.
Bismarck's remarks were conclusive
with the majority Of the House. and
despite the protests Of the sham reform
srs the salary Of the English minister
was increased to the aforementioned
figure.
Our American House Of Representa-
tivss might well learn q lesson from this
action Of the German Parliament. Our
minister to the Court Of 81. James.
though representing M Of the largest
nations on the face Of the globe has
always had q smaller compensation for
his services than the representative OF
the weakest potentaie at the Court. We
say compensation. The word isa mis-.
homer. For his services We not
only pay him nothing. but We
require him either to pay for
enjoying the honor Of representing
us or to steal from his government. and
thus make up the deficiency between
what he receives. and what he has to
expend. The Minister Of the United
States cannot live in q lodging.hsuss on
Oxford street. or take his meals In .
chop-house in the Strand. He must
have an establishment at the West End.
aud that establishment must be In &C
eordancs with the dignity Of his official
position. lie attends the receptions at
the most expensive cosrt In the world.
He IL on terms Of social equality with
peers whose entertainments cost small
fortunes, and some. at least. Of the At
tentions which no receives. must be re-
turned in kind. The nature Of his posi-.
ton demands this. and unless he Is able
to fulfill its requirements he has NO
right to accept the office.
The salary Of this office has been a
paltry si7 900 a year, and the bill now
under consideration. and which has al
ready passed the House. reduces the
pi,tance to Si5. O0O. We say pittsnce.
for such II Is in comparison to tho lsgiti.
mate expenses Of the American Legation
in London. An ordinary entertainment
to the English Premier would absorb
nearly a years salary. What, then. Is
the man whom We honor with the posi-.
ton. to do in order to make both ends
conveniently meet3 One Of two things,
evidently. II he 10 u rich man. and
honest. he will make up the deficit out
Of his private fortune. II he Is q poor
man, OF dishonest. hs will steal from the
government enough to support him In
the requisite style. Appear AZ q pauper
in the mids, Of princes he will not, aud
no man OF common sense will expect
him to do 30.
And yet these men who are now en-.
~deavoring to shave the already INSULT
eient salary Of our Minister to England,
call themselves friends Of the poor man,
aud howl about reform ! Is he q friend
OF the poor man who places any gov.
eminent position beyond the reach Of
honest merit. and makes Of II. a. Bis
marck phrases II. "ths exclusive do.
main OF the rich 2" Is there any sem.
blance Of a genuine reform In m action
which saves %. 500 in salary, and loses
hundreds OF thousands by offering q
premium on theft We fail to see II.
With the salary as 1t is now fixed the
position Of Minister to Great Britain il
barred from the ambition Of all but the
millionaires OF the land. Il would be
far better to abolish il altogether than
to further reduce what is now but the
mere shadow OF a salary. II the diplo-
matte service is not worth paying for II
is not worth having at all. and the
masses OF the people are fsily sick OF
this false economy which Is intended to
stranele the dignity OF the Government
nj homo aud abroad.