National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-06


burdens to the taxpayers, and they have
succeeded, for under the bill the service re-
mains, what II has been for years, q self
supporting branch Of the government.
This assertion the following figures prove;
Last year 1928, Alb was appropriated
for salaries, and $5,s3T09 for consular
officers not citizens Of the United States
Sl5,Sll.73 were drawn from the treasury by
feed consuls for services rendered American
sselsunder the socalled Dingley shipping
act, and in addition to this consular officers
who are compensated by fees received
SlS9,626s3. This gives an aggregate Of
S13G, 40G.S6 as a total cost of conducting the
consular service so far as salary or COM
pensation is concerned.
Under the new bill there will be 40l con-
sular officers all of whom are to be sala.
ried. Their salaries will amount to SsO7,-
100, which exceeds the sum required for
conducting the service last year by S7O,-
693.1i. House bill b340, which was intro
duced some time ago, provides for the trans.
fer to the treasury Of all unofficial fees
Last year these fees, as reported, amounted
to 41,S1s.3O, but the reports are not all in,
and II is believed that this sum WIN be In
creased to over S65, 600 when full returns
have been made. This viii leave the paltry
sum Of about $1,000 as the total amount
which the treasury must supply for the sal
aries in excess of what IL now dlsburses.
In this connection It should be stated that
the Dlngley bill takes over $9l, 900 away
from the receipts Of the consular service.
II this reduction had not been made there
would have been balance, according to
the new estimates, of $4,000 in favor of the
treasury.
Our extending commerce demands the
creation of new offices. During the last
two years three consulates and twenty-four
consular agencies have been established.
Thus the miscellaneous expenses OF the
State Department are increased notwith-
standing the fact that the most rigid econ
omy has been enforced. The estimates In
this respect for the fiscal year are Sl500OO.
1t is understood that only $4,000 win be
allowed. At first only $4,000 was to be
allowed, and the country and consular
corps have to thank Congressman Grain, Of
Texas, for the So, 600 increase. II is shame
that the full amount was not granted. The
American people witnessed the disgraceful
spectacle last July Of American consuls
presenting drafts on the treasury of the
United States TO foreign banks and having
them returned dishonored because mig
gardly Congress had refused to make suf-
flcient appropriation to cover the legitimate
expenses Of the United States consulates.
A similar spectacle this year will end by
placing the responsibility where It belongs,
and the placement will take place about
the time the congressional elections occur.
The bill which we have discussed is a
good one and ought 10 pass. II II does pass
1t will reflect much credit upon those Of the
committee who are in earnest, and especial
credit upon Mr.. Perry Belmont. But be-
cause II will reflect especial credit upon
Perry Belmont is very dangerous as well
as a very weak reason why any member Of
the committee or any member OF Congress
should oppose it or be lukewarm in its
support.