National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-13
IL. II. $3.50.

Just as the people are beginning to appre-
cate the valuable work performed by the
officers Of the consular service and to UNI
derstand how poorly they are paid for the
important services rendered to commerce
and to their compatriots, Mr.. Perry Bel
mont introduces into the House of Repre-
sentatives bill No. 5340 which, should It
become law in its present form, would do
great injustice to the consuls and cause
Americans suiourning or having business
abroad much inconvenience and trouble.
The bill reads as follows:
BC 4 Cadctcd by Tic Senate md House NJ Repn.
S,Uidtr,s gGhc Itit,d Sat,s NJ Amcricd IN ON
gttss assembled, That section 1850 of the
Revised Statutes Of the United States be
amended by adding in line thirteen, after the
words "duly authorized and competent
thereto" the following: "And every such no.
tGrial service, when certified under the hand
and seal of office of suchIsecretary of legation
or consular officer shall be deeme ed an official
service, and the fee therefor shall be charged
and collected according to the prescribed
schedule Of fees provided in section l7ij ofthe
Revised Statutes, and accounted for to the
treasury Of the United States The seal OF Of
fee shall be the seal Of the legation or of the
consular Office, as the case may be, and no
personal seal Of the Office shall be substituted
therefor for the Huthentilcation of any OF the
notarial acts herein provided"
In formulating this bill Mr.. Belmont
seems to have overlooked the fact that the
first part of section 1850 says "that every
secretary of legation and consular officer is
hereby authorized mot nstructed), when
la IL ~ q,
J,rOpq 50 10 do, TO administer to or take from
any person an oath, affirmation, affidavit, or
deposition, and to perform any notarial act
which any notary public is required or au-
thorized by law to do within the United
States.n
Therefore, whenever secretary of lega-
tion or consul deems II necessary or proper
to perform q notarial act he is authorized,
and not instructed, to do II; In other words,
the matter is left optional with him. Now,
suppose this bill becomes law, which Con-
gress forbid, and a commission were sent
out TO some consular officer who is ekeing
out thin existence on 81 800 year to take
dispositions in an important case pending In
a United States court. 1t would mean sew
eral days of hard work for nothing to him
under the Belmont bill, while under the
present act he would be rewarded with a
few dollars. which he understood he was en-
titled to when lie accepted the place,
and which would enable him to
pay his rent. So It would be with
all other notarial business; it would
take much time without giving any COM
| pensation, Perhaps, however, the honor
| able committee thinks that time is super.
abundant at the average consulate. But this
impression may be somewhat removed when
we say that consul is Instructed mot au-
thorized) to receive and care for papers Of
every United States merchant vessel enter
ing at his port; to discharge and ship sea-
men; to see that their wages are properly
paid TO provide for their care If i'll, or in
digcnt on shore, aud, in some instances, to
ship them to the United States; to receive,
note, and extend protests Of masters; to ex-
anime all goods shipped from his port or
locality TO the United States; to familiariZe
himself with their quality and value; to
certify to the correctness Of all invoices Of
such goods or report errors, and pro.
test against the schemes Of the revenue
robbers; to make annual, sem-annual, quar-
tCrly, monthly, and It may be said weekly,
and possibly daily, reports to the Depart
ment Of State upon every subject connected
with trade, finance, business, population,
labor, emigration, and science; to collect
fees, keep accounts; to issue bills Of health,
aud certify to marriages and deaths, and to
oblge, advise, please, and assist every com
| patriot who may honor him with a call. 1t
will be seen by this that the Secretary of
state has Unlimited confidence In the intel
lectual and physical force and power Of en-
durance Of the consular corps.
Another point Every one acquainted
with the consular service knows that the
passage Of this bill would cause great hard
ship to q large number Of worthy officials,
and it Is passing strange that such meas
IRE could have originated In q committee
composed Of eminent men like Messrs. Bel
mont, Singleton, Phelps, and Hit, Three
Of these gentlemen have had large cX-
perience abroad and know full well the i'm
portaucc Of the consular service, and they
must also know Of the severe trials which
many consuls are subjected TO, owing to
the mcager salaries attached TO their posi-