The sun., 1884-12-07
MERCHANTS As FOREIGN CONsULA
A Business Mans Reasons why Such Fol.
ley Would Injure Americas Trade.

A Business Mans Reasons why Such q Fol.
ley Would Injnre American Trade.
measure, which It's advocates believe
will greatly aid the American export trade. is
to be introduced In Congress- during tho pres
ent session. in the shape OF bill to permit
American Consuls to engage In mercantile pur-
suits in the posts to which they are sent and
to encourage tho appointment OF merchants to
Consular positions. The project has been the
subject OF considerable discussion among mem-
bers Of the Chamber OF Commerce in this city.
and some OF them think that 1t may be ap-
proved by that institution. A large number Of
the members. however. are strongly opposed
to tho proposition. One OF them. who is an in
huentlal downtown merchant. said yesterdays:
1T is q proposition to 60 back to n system
which resisted the united efforts of American
merchants for at least thirty years before 1t
was overthrown. What is q Consul for. any.
how 2" he asked.
Clan cling at a pile OF blue e-covered Consular
reports issued from the Government printing
Office. tho reporter replied. ITO write books"
Those pam phlets contain some queer pro-
ductions Of genius" tho merchant answered.
although now and then one proves OF great
value. But Consul must have other knowl-
edge than that Of writing readable reports. He
must DO commercial agent to seek and put in
shape all sorts OF information about the re-
sources and requirements OF the country in
tates held by Americans In the country whore
he resides; a warehousemnn in charge of
American citizens who. are in legal or other
trouble In foreign land: and to a creator or
the local authorities. at least, such recognition
Of American rights and such concessions
But the most valuable part Of a Oonsils stock
IN trade Is knowedee OF the resources and
Of the .S Thfh .s. h
ton Would he dsse inmate hi capital broad
a. s rs duty Gr would he
directs2 For an answer compare the reports of
certain Of our so-called commercia al agents. who
are foreigners and merchants and represent us
at minor ports. with the reports OF those Con-
suls who are AmeTican citizens and not en-
chants engaged in the. sans trade Would he
trade There are merchants and merchants.
Most Of them are honest. but MANY ar. not. It
ships were sought by bank rupts. who wished to
begin M Ia anew IN toregn lands and who frequent
mercantile reputation"
=, Perhaps the advocates OF the measure think
tha, there are but fow Americans engaged in
ha S pebaSy sbss the nsrs merchant 5s
american mereInnts IN fsroxn ports rte VIII
any one OF them who becomes Consul rise
superior to his love OF gain; or will he make It
merchant Consul is interested in some line OF
imports; and has good stock himself. while
with tho demand. Just then house that COM
netes with that he represents writes to him as
Consul for information about that particular
line OF goods. with a. view OF making a ship
glutling the market? Would he not. even II
truthful. touch lightly on the possible profits
and detail at length the difficulties to be en-
conntereh. and thus suppress a venture which
might prove prottablel But that is not all.
Gd dass Hss .Ss ha sb" %S for p.s4%s eHnsS
his duties according to the spirit OF his in
deed. trade would interfere with his duties in
another way thGn in taking up his time. for
throw every possible obstacle in the way OF his
Investigations OF the market OF the country.
when II he were Consul simply they would be
glad to seek his favor. The proposed bill" the
merchant added. is simply measure for the
suppression OF American commerce."