Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-08-07
No Place for a Poor Man.

soon to become vacant by the return
of the Hon. John Welsh, are quite nu-
merous. We understand, however,
that Mr.. Hayes would like to confer
this appointment upon some wealthy
favorite of the administration, and in
order to deter any except millionaires
from applying for the place the coun-
try is treated TO estimates of the cost
of maintaining the dignity of the posi-
ton over and above the salary allowed
by law to the minister that seem as
founding. In an article upon this sub
ject the Harrisburg Patriot with great
good sense remarks, at is estimated
that the minister to England from this
country must spend annually about
s24, 900 more than the salary in order
TO maintain the dignity of the posi-
ton. The salary is sl7 500 year
The object of this assertion about the
expensiveness of the position is easily
understood. 1t is to keep the poor
men out of the list of competitors in
order that the position may be confer
red upon some wealthy snob who has
no other way Of obtaining social dis
tinction in England than by the lavish
expenditure of money in dinners and
fashionable establishments. 1t is said
that this necessity for expenditure
comes with the change in the time.
Times have certainly changed since
Benjamin franklin, the first, the ablest
and most successful of American di-
plomatists, was agent of the colonies in
England. Franklin was on intimate
terms with Lord Shelburne, with Lord
Chatham, and with many more of the
most distinguished of the English no.
bility. 1t was not necessary for him
to spend money extravagantly in order
properly TO represent the colonies, nor
would it have been in keeping with the
republican simplicity of his character
Yet in that day there was almost as
much extravaganza in English society
as there is now. Coming down TO
later period james Buchanan did not
find it necessary TO spend more than
hi. salary in order to hold up his head
among England's aristOcracy. Yet he
was never wanting in hospitality or IN
n nice regard for the social require
ments of his position whether as min
lister TO England or rs president of the
United States. Neither did Charles
Francis Adams nor the historian Mot
ley. These representatives of the Uni
ted States had other claims to distiIc G.
ton than the ability to spend monty.
They could maintain the dignity of
their position and the honor of their
country without entering into compe-
tition with the ministers of other coun.
tries in giving extravagant entertain
ments.
The first minister TO set the exam
pie of high living in London was Ed
wards Pierrepont who expended far
more than his salary. But Pierrepont
rejoiced in his connection with some
of the proudest of England's aristoc-
racy, and he owed something to that
consideration. His claim would not
have been allowed had he not backed
itby n profusc expenditure. Minister
Welsh did not break the precedent
left him by Pierrepoint especially when
his wealth enabled him so easily to
follow it. Among those who have
been mentioned for minister to Eng
land are Anthony j. Drexel, Geo. w.
Childs and Levi z. Morton. Either
Of them would be able to follow the
Pierrepoint example or to outdo it.
But that is all that can be said of
them. The appointment of either of
them would be n virtual confession
that the position of minister to Eng.
land is conferred upon considerations
of wealth alone. II would be an act
of homage to snobbery at home and
abroad. The only qualification for
minister TO England would consist in
the capacity for giving big dinners.
If the appointment were made on the
vroundasof real merit and l,,un.a e..