The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-07-19
". H. Tillinshast, D. D. S
22O WESTMINSTER ST..
PROVIDENCE. II. |.
The CONSULAR SERVICE.

Weasons which Make ~ CoD.uIshtp n Nery
Tempting Prize.
No offices under our Government are
more eagerly sought for. when a new
President comes In. than consulships.
At present the rush for consulships is
said 20 be greater than ever before.
the applications exceeding many fold
tho number Of the consulships them
selves.
A consulship. indeed, IN, on many
accounts, n very tempting prize; cspc-
cially one situated In one OF the moro
attractive cities or towns In Great
Britain or on the continent II enables
the occupant To live In the midst Of
historic scenes and the centers OF art
and pleasure, md to mako tours 90
many points OF interest. The work OF
consul is not often very difficult. and
he has large powers In fulfilling his
duties.
consul, moreover. enjoys social
distinction and privileges In the city
or town whore he IL stationed. He is
invited 20 occupy reserved place nj all
public celebrations. and Is freely ad-
mitted into official circles.
On the other hand. consul really
has large responsibilities In perform
ing his duties, which make IL very inn
portant that he should be carefully
selected, with view TO their efficient
discharge.
Consulships are mainly OF two kinds
inland and seaport consulships; and
the duties attached TO these two posi-
tions differ somewhat II IL tho main
task OF AN inland consul 20 certify 90
the correctness OF the invoices OF tho
merchandise which Is sent from his
consular district 90 the United States;
while the consul at n seaport finds
that besides certifying invoices. no
has 20 perform certain duties relative
30 the American ships which arrive at
and depart from his port.
There has been much Just complain!
that goods coming from Europe 10 tho
United States are sometimes under
valued; that is, that the invoices CON
tain statements that tho goods arc
sold 20 tho importer at prices smaller
than they really are thus sold; and
this. for the double purpose Of reducing
the duty on the goods, and Of enabling
the purchaser 90 undersoll his compct-
itOrs.
This evil may be greatly lesscned,
NJ least, by competent inland cODsuls.
n they have capacity and efficiency,
they will learn 10 Judge very nearly
the actual market value Of the goods
exported from their districts; and by
requiring. In each case, samples ot the
goods, they will be able 10 decide
whether the invoices presented 10
them for certificate are true or fraud
ulent
In short, every consul at an inland
pOst-like Manchester or Leeds In En-
gland. Lyons In France. Berlin In Ger
many-should become an expert In tho
merchandise sent % this country from
his point.
This Il said In order that the impor-
tance Of carefully selecting persons OF
capacity 10 hold tho consulships may
be seen. a consul should be familiar
with the language of the country
where he l. 20 reside; and II anywhere
on the European continent. he should
also have n knowledge OF French. He
should be well-grounded In commercial
and international law; and In manners
he should be gentleman. Personal
qualities go a great way IN Europe in
fulfilling such duties as n consul II
called upon 10 perform, and Ia winning
respect FOR the country which The con
sul represents. Youths Companion.