Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-03-16

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March 2, 1882.
I'll. Hama a. In Committee Of the whole House
the state of the Union wing under CONSIDERATION the
bill IN H. No. $500 making appropriations ior the
consular and diplomatic service ni the Gov rhmeht Iu'
the fiscal year ending June 30 lss, aud ior o'hef pu
poses-
Mr.. Curtin said Mr.. Chairman, the
time NAV come, and it is possibly rapid
ly approaching, when 1t will be quite
unnecessary to exchange with foreign
nations ministers or ambassadors. But
while we do send ministers abroad I"
represent this country, in Difference to
the customs Of nations, we should clothe
them with all the proper overs anu
surround them by all appliances which
will give consequence TO the represen
tatives of this great nation. We should
give them that standing among the nH
tlons of the world which this country
itself holds, nor take iro II them any o.
the dignity of their high position.
understand perfectly we'll in what
an embarrassing position foreign min
lister would be placed should he have
consul appointed without consulting
him, without his selection, who woul"
have access to all of the archives AMI
papers OF his office, and to all OF the
private and public correspondence. and
have full knowledge Of his business,
and one who would have charge of the
legation and the disposition of the affair
of the Government intrusted to the
minister at the court to which he IL ac
credited in his absence as charge d'a'
flares, which is the law. | know full
we'll that II is common to complain OF
the expenses of our diplomatic inter
course with foreign nations and OF our
consular service. Our representation
abroad is not made to produce money
o. revenue. representation of the
Interests of a great people. And, sir.
do object TO making consular appoint
ments abroad source OF revenue.
regret, Mr.. Chairman, to have heard
the calculations of expense and prohtr
of the diplomatic and consular service
made by the chairman OF the committee.
He exhibited the numbers Of passports
issued by various ministers, and the
balance in favor OF the Government
growing out OF the consular service. The
consular service OF the United States ~"
require for the benefit OF those engaged
in commerce and trade, and Just pro
lection to American mariners. The ser
vice, in my judgment, should be rem
dered free Of any expense to the citizen
and be paid for by the Government.
The fees exacted are a tax levied oil
the trader, merchant, or mariner, and
in restraint to that extent OF our com
merce with foreign countries. The issue
of passports Is not properly the hu-ines-
OF the minister, although he Is clothed
with the power. There are very few ol
the countries in Europe where a pass
port IA required, aud American cit zens
travelling either for business or pleasure
are in the habit OF securing passports
from the Department Of State before
leaving nOme. lie has direct couurc.
ton with the court or Government to
which he il accredited. lie conveys TO
his own Government all that occurs ~
the country where he resides in relation
to or can have any Importance tn the
trade, commerce, and interests of OUT
people abroad and he Is there, as has
been said by the gentleman who last
addressed the committee, To- protect the
rights OF citizens. whether tufeigu bOru
or naturalIzsd. aud IN that respect recent
events have clearly demonstrated that
to withdraw our ministers. or to Hbrdgr
their power. would he an Acknowledged
weakness in our Government which
could not be condourd, and "A calamity
to those of our citizens who have suffer
ed arrest and imprisonment ~ foreign
countries. II would be a source Of seri
Gus objection, in my judgment, to an
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allow consular officer, without refer
ence to his own wishes or the qualificA.
tions of the consul. to he appointed with
power to have access to aud control Of
the records of his legation, of the ar.
chives, and OF all the business interests
represented by him at that Government.
The selection OF secretary TO take
charge of such matters should he lett
with the minister himself. so that the
citizen who is best qualified may be Sc.
lected TO fulfill the duties. The relation
being confidential. the qualifications ol
a secretary should be OF q much higher
grade than those required to fulfill the
duties Of a consulate. Justice to the
minister as well as TO this Government
surely demands that he should have rs
HI5 NAAistu WFfi tlIhlllFtA AtlNl
one in whom he can place most implicit
confidence.
Mr.. Chairman, have said that the
time may come when we may dispense
with this system, and thereby cut down
the expense when steam and lightning
will give such rapid communication ~
TO abnihilate time and space, and we
can assert our rights and protect our
interests without the presence of minis.
ters abroad. It may be in the near
future; hut such happy condition in
the affairs OF humanity may be post.
poned until the lion and the lamb lie
down together. or the proclamation OF
tie promised peace and good settles
down upon the world. But while IL ia
the practice OF the whole world--ol all
the great nations Of the world--l hold
that we, the American nation, should
be represented in every nation. or
wherever there is an organized 5overn.
ment or exercise Of governmental power.
and that We should have an American
minister. selected for his itness, 20 rep