Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-04-06
CONSULAR AGENTS.
Aims of the Democrats Regarding a
Needed Reform.

Aims of the Democrats Regarding a
Needed Reform.
The democratic party is specifically
committed to the extension of the for
eign trade of the United States The
argument for tariff reduction has
rested on the ground that at home a
lower tariff would reduce the cost of
living and abroad it would extend the
markets for our products. thus expand
ing home industry, offering more en-
ployment to labor and increasing the
volume of its compensation.
The national administration and the
party, therefore, are bound to avail
themselves of every agency, consistent
with party doctrine, to increase our
foreign trade. The consular service
abroad can be made great instru-
mentality to this end, if it is properly
manned. In the main the consular
service is purely commercial service.
Save in rare cases. it has no diplomatic
duties to perform, and in a few other
cases it has occasional social duties to
perform. Nine out of every ten of our
consuls abroad should be selected
chiefly with view to their business
lean goods and to inform the merchants
of the country of favorable opportuni-
ties for international exchanges In
giving to the country satisfactory
government, the new administration,
we believe, intends to make this con-
sideration a controlling one in the Sc
lection of consuls and consular agents.
It involves considera BILE departure
from the rules and customs which have
obtained in the state department for
some years. We make no sweeping
and indiscriminate attack upon the
consular service of the United States,
but it is perfectly well understood by
all familiar with the facts that it has
not been built upon business princi-
pies. That branch of the government
has been made an asylum for the rich
and indolent. for the needy with influ-
ence at their backs, for those wishing
to enjoy vacations abroad at the pub
lie expense, and for dozen classes If
the Indifferent The theory frequently
followed has been that man who is
not good for much else would make
fair consul, and as the duties of the
position have been understood and
the theory has not been far
from the truth.
1t is not necessary to show that these
officers can be made of the g1 eatest
service to American trade. Tariff laws
are great obstacle to the growth of
trade, but unfamiliarity
with foreign business customs, fash
ions. tastes and requirements are also
obstacles, The former can be removed
only by acts of congress-; the latter
can be reduced, if not altogether
overcome. by the selection of qualified
men for the great number of smaller
The, complaint is made
that the compensation is too small to
induce capable, business men to under
take the work. The Washington Post
and the New York Tribune both argue
for an increase in the salaries of
consuls. At present the consular
service, as a rule; is paid every dollar
it is worth to. the government If
more efficient men are secured the re-
suits of whose endeavors will be mani
fest to the trade, and industry of the
United States. there is no doubt that
the work will; be paid I'm time what it
deserves.
The purpose Of the Cleveland admin
stration to make more efficient the
service is one of the best of
The reforms it Has undertaken Al.