New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-27
THE FOREIGN SERVICE.
CHAIRMAN BLoUNT's RIDICULOUS BILL
THERE MUST BE SOME REINFORCEMENT 40
MATTER WHAT THE RB:ULT-ITs FAULTS
EXPOSED IN THE HOUSE.
,ry IrIEGuArU TO TIE TKIBUNE.i


the Diplomatic and Consular APP oprat on BIZ. Ih'
lnca,rc which is understood to be chiefly product
cf the knowledge, genius and statesman>ip Il Chair
man Blount has already provoked some amusing -
well as sharp comment. Geography does not appear
TO be NJ. B0un~ strongest point lie has Transferred
Munich and Drc.den. Germany ~. Petersburg. I'm
and Nuevo Laredo Mexico to Great Britain, ana san
Juan del Norte, Nicaragua 10 Madagascar. and ha'
placed san Domingo under the dominion OF spain.
Belize British Honduras is given to the Republic q
Honduras and there are some other ecCcntricties OF
tie same sort which are harmless and easily cor
rccted but which, nevertheless instructive in one
respect.
But there are grave faults in the bill as clearly
shown in the excellent speeches Of MeSsrs Hit and
NcCrGory today. Chairman Bount seems 10 have
set out with the determination TO bring the total Of the
bill below the appropriations for the current year,
utterly regardless of consequences and with such
result as would naturally have been expected His
patty savings" Of $4,000 by abOlishng few
necessary diplomatic offices cannot be justified any
ground while his proposed reductions of salaries in
the consular service to effect further saving Of
S37 900 would result not only In seriously cripping
that service but In the loss of hundreds Of thousands
OF dollars TO the revenues Of the Government every
year. For example he proposes that ten consuls who
now receive $1,000 year each shall hereafter depend
upon fees for their compensation. This would result
probably turIng all Of those Offices over TO persons
chants mostly British subjects, who would thus be
in a position TO certify their invoices we'll as
the Invoices OF their rivals In business. Chairman
Bount also proposes TO reduce from $500 to $1,000
each the salaries of twelve other consuls who I'm
the reduction Is made. will be allowed to engage In
trade and certify their invoices as well as the
invoices OF their business competitors; and. II sta
toned at seaports. Will be enabled to enjoy other
business advantages at the expense of seamen who
may enter into those ports. Chairman Blount also
proposes to reduce by 10000 the appropriation for the
Bureau Of American Republics. which Is doing most
excellent work in behalf OF American commerce And
even the small sum appropriated ,000-is saddled
With the condition that none Of 1t shall be available
until the other nations mentioned by the Interna
tOnal American Conference pay all their respective
assessment The appropriation of $4,000 to con
nue the preliminary survey for continental railway
is saddled with like condition
Whom the House went into Committee Of the Whole
on the bill. Mr.. Biount explained its provisions. ],
appropriated SI.5s4.D2 being $4,000 less than the
current law and s553,54l less than the estimates
The reduction on missions was $4,000 consuls
s37 900; In the bureau of American Republics
10000. The number of missions had been reduced
by placing Denmark. sweden and Norway under one
mission Columbia and Ecuador under one mission. and
Peru and Bolivia under one mission. He then pro
cecded TO satirize the work performed by our Min
isters abroad, and lie touched upon Minister 10
hU>eM TIC uTOuEHb ~ HIS iN'O Hl - .''lii ~ ''ih
sylvanls. with defence Of Minister 10 that
country.
Mr.. Blount, continuing said that he had received q
letter from the State Department stating that 1t
Informed by the Minister 10 Denmark that If this
separate mission abolished. Denmark probably
would not make exhibit at Chicago. The gentle
man Denmark Seemed to have DISTINGUISHED himself
by getting Denmark TO make exhibit ground
personal 10 himself. Mr.. Bount did not think thai
Denmark would be so silly a. 10 Withhold her exhibit
account Of this bill. In regard 10 the consular
system. the committee Ind left undsturbed the
salaries at all the important points OF foreign trade
and reduced them where the business small
enough justify IT. taking Of the consuates OF
the saaried lists and placing them on fees.
Mr.. McCreary OF Kentucky, said that the diplomatic
and consular service engaged In manner suit
able and proper, the wealth and the population OF the
! United states considered. jefferson had said that
should have peace commence. honest friendship
With all nations and enangng alliances with none.
He believed that that good policy at the tine
that II nunciatcd and he believed that every
Administration should adhere TO those grand words.
There should be neither parsimony extravaganza
In the management Of our Nrcgn affairs. There
should be n Just. fair and good service. Whatever
might be said about diplomatic and consular ser
VICE II must De admitted that It had been maintained
economicaly and fairly The appropriation Of $500
for preliminary survey Of an iutevontiIcn'nl rail
way Vas vigorously defended by Mr. Mccrcary.
| by the bureau OF American Republics.
Mr. Hit. Of Illinois. opposed the rctrenchmcnt
| diplomatic post was invariably regarded a. an act
showing want Of esteem and the discontinuancc u
a Minister very nearly mark Of disr+pcct. In
pursuance a the consolidation plan. Honduras had
besn taken from It's old ally Guatemala and attached
to the republics II most cordially dlskcd, those of
Costa Rlca. salvador and Nicaragua. The abolish
| met Of the Danish mission was most inoppoitnne
and unfortunate. Mr.. HIT next opposed the Icduc-
| tOns male IN the salaries If cOn-ul>.
After further discussion on motion OF Mr. Blonnt.
| ,,fr,.,
the bill should close after two hours debate tomorrow
The committee then and on motion OF Mr.
Gtsrv OF California the House agreed 10 the roquc
| Of thc S.natc for conference the amendments
made BY the senate 10 the Chinese Exclusion hlll
passed by the House MessrS. Geary, Chapman ana
! HIT were appointed cOnierFec>.
| Tho UOnse al 3 10 adjourned.