Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-15

WASHINGTON. May 13. 100

Why there should be any exalt-
alton in the diplomatic rank of our Rep
resentatives abroad, with a multiplication
of pay to go with it as has been suggested
from some quarters, is an Incompetent
sible thing to the average American mind.
The United States stands for itself in all
the elements of power, wealth and
progress. 1t requires no adventitious
aids to emphasize its standing. Were all
our ministers ambassadors there's not
one among the nations that would stand
in greater awe for us or care farthing
more for our opinions. American in
fluence rests upon no such grounds, and
if it is handicapped at all it is by unwise
legislation and not from lack of titular
parade. If reforms are to be inaugurate
in our diplomatic intercourse with foreign
countries let it begin with the consular
service--at the business end of the sys-
tenn. Ministers may 60 or stay; it makes
no material difference. But the consuls
are always worth looking after. They
don't need any new title, but they need
better pay at all important points. The
service should hold out one inducement
to men of ability and fitness, and it
should be so arranged that competent
men of moderate means are not neces-
sarily barred out of the minor positions.
Here could Congress find an opportunity
for useful legislation. Whatever can be
done to improve the efficiency of the
sound public policy; and the best means
to make every consular position in the
Government worth taking.
~x*
On the first Monday in December the
Republicans organized the House of
Representatives with majority of eight
the membership consisting Of 169 Re-
publicans and 161 Democrats. Since
then the labors of the committee on
elections have increased the Republican
majority to II; the figures being: Re-
publicans, 172; Democrats, 155; Inde-
pendent, l. The places held by WILDER
CRep.) and Randall (Dem.) who died
are still vacant, but these two elections
are not likely to make any change in
the political complexion of this House.
OF the seventeen election contests eight
have already been decided, three Demo-
Gratis being allowed to retain the seats to
which they were elected, while four Re-
publicans and one Independent have
taken the places of five Democrats. The
other nine Democrats will undoubtedly
be removed to make way for Republicans
as soon as the majority of the House
feels the necessity for increasing its num-
bers. But seventeen is a pretty good
working majority. If Speaker Reed had
had it at the beginning of the session
he would have hardly laid down the
doctrine Of the visible quorum. 1t is a
noteworthy fact that the whole seven.
teen contests were raised against the
Democrats. No Democrat contested 6
seat to which Republican was elected
Election contests are expensive to the
people. Besides paying for the contestet
a Congressman's full salary for the time
he serves-that is to say, from the fourth
of March till date of his removal-anc
besides paying the successful contestant
a Congressman's full salary for the full
Congressional term, Uncle Sam is called
upon to pay the legal expenses of the
contest which may amount to as much as
81, 900 on each side of each contest And
as it sometimes happens that the matter
is not finally disposed of until near the
close of the Congressional term, an elec
ton contest may cost the Treasury $14,-
600. There is hardly one that doesn't
cost over half of that amount