New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-20
FOREIGN MISSIONS.

FOREIGN MISSIONS.
rHE APPOINTMENTS OF YESTERDAY GIVING Salts
FACTION IN wASHINGTON-THE TROUBLE THE
ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD IN THIS MATTER.
upoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRtBUNE,l
WASHINGTON Jan. 19.-The President sent to the
genate to-day the following nominations to foreign
missions:
James Russell Lowell of Massachusetts,, Minis
'Jobn W. Foster. of Indiana, MINISTER TO Russia.
Lucius Farchild, of Wisconsin, Minister to
Philip H. Morgan, OF Louisiana Minister to
Mexico.
The nominations give very general satisfaction.
1t is many years, probably, since an Administra-
ton has found as much difficulty to fill frst-class
foreign missions as President Hayes and Secretary
Evarts have experienced in securing the service of
proper persons to send TO London and st. Peters
burg since the designations of Mr. Welsh and Mr.
Stoughton. There was a time i'll the history OF the
country when greatest and most AMBITIOUS
statesmen coveted these places; and Senators and
Menbers OF Congress considered it a promotion to
be called upon TO represent the United states at a
European court Now all this is changed. The foreign
missions are still sought after but they are sought
chiefly by those who have lost their grip upon poll
ties at home. and have been defeated in nominating
conventions or in elections, else by men in pTi-
yate station who are seeking public preferment.
Men who are in high public position at home, or
who are candidates for responsible places in the civil
,eryice look upon foreign appointment If ac-
rented as a REIMBURSEMENT Of their ambitions. If
they remain abroad for few years they lose their
identify with home politics, and with a change Of
Administration are frequently recalled to find their
places here filed by new men who cannot be eX-
nected TO step aside and let them take their old po
ttions again.
IL would therefore be difficult to find Senator of
the United States OF leader in the House of Repre-
bentatives who has not already been defeated IN his
efforts to be reelected expects to be beaten, who
would have accepted either Of the missions which
the President filled to-day. Men even who at pres
ent hold no public position, but who expect to take
an active part in the Presidential campaign of this
year. and if their efforts are successful, to be
awarded by election or appointment some i'm
portaiit Office also have TO be omitted from the list
OF possible candidates.
Another source of difficulty which the Admins
tralon encounters in its efforts to make crediable
foreign appointments is found in the inadequate
salaries which the Government pays. Several gen.
tlemen whose names have been suggested during
line last two months for one or the other OF these
Missions, who would fill them with honor to them
selves and credit to the United States, and who
would be glad to accept an appointment. have been
taken out of the list of possible candidates because
possessing every other qualification, they have not
had private fortune which would enable them TO
conform to the customs of the courts to which they
would be sent.
The greatest anxiety for appointment to foreign
missions probably exists among wealthy men, who.
though ambitious lack those qualities which will
bring political success at home, and who are willing
10 pay literally for an honor that will bring them
public and social position, which they can hope to
attain in no other way. Some appointments maze
from this class of men in the past have turned out
we'll but at best. they are attended with risk
Marked success business does not always indi-
rate the possession of those qualities which are
essential in good foreign Minister
For the reasons given above, the President ana
secretary of State, the latter remarked month
ago have found great difficulty in finding persons
to ill the English and Russian missions whom they
desired to appoint and who at the same time would
accent Each place has been offered to several gen.
temen and successively declined. until the Admin
istration was almost driven to the course 1T finally
adopted of promoting officers already in the diplo-
matte service and filling the lower grades thus made
vacant by new appointments. 1t cannot be sald
that this course has been reluctantly adopted. On
the other hand, it is policy In full harmony with
talked about than practsed. In the present in
stance il has given promotion to four gentlemen
who richly deserve it, and filled the vacant places
in manner that will be universally appreciated by
the country m
Several important consular changes will soon be
made, and it is understood that in arranging them
there will be about dozen promotions OF faithful
officers who have been longest in the service.
T. L. W.