The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-13
A Test Case To Be Made Out of the Claim OF
Tennessee for Proceeds of Timber
Lands Sold in that State.
A Representative Ohio Democrat Gives
Up the Contest in that State.
Instructions to PoStmaSters Concerning the
Immediate Delivery of Letters-Sena-
tor Payne After the PostotIices.
A REPREHENSIBLE POLICY,
That Of Sending Foreign-Born Citizens to
Represent Us Abroad.

Represent Us Abroad.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12.-The case Of Consul
Whelan, of Buffalo, who was recently appointed
to represent this government at Fort Erie, Can
ada, is likely to prove a very unfortunate affair
all around. In the first place. it demonstrates
the proposition that no foreign born citizen of
the United States should, under any circum-
stances, be sent back to the country of which he
formerly was subject as representative of the
United States. In nearly every instance where
an Irshman has been sent to England or to the
British possessions, where German has been
sent to Germany, or Hungarian to Austria,
there have been drawbacks upon his efficiency.
While we have had few open ruptures, or re-
fusals of foreign governments to receive the men
sent, there is evidence enough to show that in
many instances the work of the consuls has been
retarded because of the espionage that has been
put upon them by the governments to which
they were sent, and that information has fre-
quently been kept from them which would have
been of value to the United States and would have
been gladly given to native born citizen of this
country. 1t is not natural that foreign govern
ments, whether they be 'effete monarchies" or
not, should care to receive as representatives of
another foreign power men who have openly
shown their hostility to their original rulers.
The case of Jonas, the Wisconsin man, who was
sent to Prague, has been the topic of great
deal of discussion, and has afforded food for
many editorials condemning the appointing of
foreign-born citizens as counsuls The game of
battledore and shuttlecock which was played
with Minister Kelley is another argument in
favor of weighing carefully the qualifications of
men sent out, not only in business sense, but
from their previous utterances. Now comes the
case Of Whelan. Twenty years ago he was
very active and energetic member of the Fenian
Brotherhood, which existed in Buffalo, and
which had for it's object the capture of the Brit
ish dominions. Mr.. Wheam was the agent Of
the Irish Republic. and as such offered for sale
its bonds, and advertised for provisions
and clothing for the Irish army.
This act of his was well enough for
Fenian leader, but it does not look well as part
of the history of United States official
Further than that, he has openly expressed his
willingness to do anything, to seize any means
that may present themselves to him to help lib
crate Ireland Naturally, when he is appointed
consul to one of her Majesty's ports, her
Majestys government at once makes inquiries
into his antecedents, and it has been learned
that Mr.. Whelan is an unsafe man to receive as
consul Consequently. when he presents his
credentials to the proper authorities he will be
refused his exequatur This comes to from
source which is authentic. Ny informant
is an attache of the Ottawa government,
and he says that the necessary steps have
already been taken to prevent the recogni-
ton of Mr.. Whelan. Fortunately the gentle
m an lives at present less than FIVE miles from
his consulate which is just opposite the city of
Buffalo. on the Canadian frontier He will be
at little expense. and will doubtless be able TO
resume his business in Buffalo without great
loss, unless he should be compelled to make the
trip to Washington to explain this situation, in
which case he might be few dollars out.