St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-09


or the privileges In question to vessels sailing
to this country from ports outside the limita-
ton of the act. Undoubtedly the relations OF
commerce with our near neighbOrS whose ter
rtories form so large frontier line, difficult
to be guarded, and who find in our country.
and equally offer to us, national markets, de-
mand special and considerable treatment. IL
rests with congress to consider what action
may Increase facilities Of intercourse which
contingency makes natural and desirable.
l earnestly urge that congress recast the ap-
preparations for the maintenance of the
diplomatic and consular service on footing
commensurate with the importance of our
national interests at every post where
representative is necessary. The salary
should be so graded as to permit to live with
comfort. With the assignment Of adequate
salaries the so-called national extra official
fees which our officers abroad are now per-
mitted to treat as
PERSONAL PERQUIsITEs
should be done away with. Every act re-
Quiring the certihcatiOn and seal Of the Off
GERS should be taxable by a set schedule Of
rates, and the fee therefor returned to the
treasury. By restoring these revenues to the
public use, the consular service would be
self-suppOrting, even with a liberal increase
of the present low salaries in further preven-
ton of abuses. A system of consular in
spection should be instituted. The appoint
ment of a limited number of secretaries
of legation. at large to be as
signed to duty whenever necessary and
in particular for tempol airy service at mis-
sions, which for any cause may be without a
head, should also be authorized. / favor also
authorization for the detail of officers of the
regular service as military or naval attaches
at legations. Some foreign governments do
not recognize the union of consular with di-
plomatic function. Italy and Venezuela will
only receive the appointee in one of his two
capacities, but this does not prevent the re-
quirement of bond and submission to the
responsibilities Of our officer, whose duties
he cannot discharge. The separated titles of
consular general should be abandoned.
l deem it expedient that well-devised
measure forthe reorganization of the extra
TERRITORIAL COURTS
in Oriental countries should replace the
present system which labors under the dis
advantage of combining judicial and execu-
tive functions in the same office. In sever al
Oriental countries generous offers have been
made of premises for housing the legation
of the United States. A grant of land for
that purpose was made some years since by
Japan, and has been referred to in the annual
messages of predecessors. The Siam gov
eminent has made gift to the United
States of commodious quarters in
Bangkok. In Corea the late minister
was permitted to purchase building
from the government for legation use. In
China the premises rented for the legation
are Favored as 10 local cudFgeS. AL Idugler
the house occupied by our representative
has been for many years the property of this
government, having been given for that pur
pose in 1922 by the sultan of Morocco. l ap-
prove the suggestion heretofore made that in
view of the conditions of life and administra-
ton in the Eastern countries the legation
buildings in China, Japan, Corea, Siam and
perhaps Persia, should be owned
and furnished by the government
with view to permanency and security.
To this end, 1 recommend that authority be
given to accept the gifts adverted to in Japan
and Siam. and to purchase in the other coun-
tries named, with provision for furniture and
repairs. considerable saving in rentals
would result.
THE WORLDS INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION
held at New Orleans last winter, with the as
sistance of the federal government, attracted
large number of foreign exhibits and proved
of great value in spreading among the con-
course of visitors from Mexico and Central
and South America wider knowledge OF the
various manu- factures and productions of this
country, and their availability in exchange
for the productions of those regions.
Past congresses have had under consider
alton the ACCESSIBILITY of abolishing the dis
elimination made by the tariff laws in favor
of the works of American artists. The
odium Of the policy which subjects to a high
rate of duty the paintings of foreign artists,
and exempts the production of American
artists residing abroad and who receive gratu-
itouSly advantage and instruction is invested
upon our citizens engaged in art culture in
Europe and have caused them with I'm amin
ity to favor the abolition of such an ungra-
cous distintion and in their interest, and, for
other obvious reasons strongly recommend it.