Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-08-12
THE AMERICAN CONSUL.
What Ii Expected of This Interesting anA
Useful Functionary.

What Ii Expected Of This Interesting ana
Useful Functionary.
A consul Is expected to learn the
language, laws, customs, and com.
merce of the country in which he re.
sides. Having spent perhaps years
in doing this, why should ne be re.
CURED on change of administration
to give way to a new officer who, af.
ter learning the consular duties and
accomplishments. will himself be put
out by another new beginner? The
rotation system may be democratic,
but it is injurious to our foreign sery.
ice.
The duties of a consul are often
important, requiring training and
experience. If Americans die abroad,
and away from their families, he
must look after their property and
estates, accounting for the same to the
representative of the deceased per-
son or to the United States Treasury.
is his duty to be present at and
certify to the department the legality
of marriages of United States citi-
cent, though the marriage ceremony
itself must be solemnized by civil
Or church official of the land where
it occurs
Passports are vised, or certified to,
by the consul, and it is his duty to
settle the disputes which are endless,
between American ship-masters and
seamen He must protect and advise
citizens of his country who have been
wrongfully arrested, or whose bust
ness rights or interests under any
treaty have been Interfered with.
II he Is Jealous and patriotic he
will aid his cQuntrymen in introduc.
ing United States manufactures into
other lands 1t is part Of his du:
ties to make frequent reports to the
department on all subjects except
politics that he thinks may be of
special value or interest to our people.
These communications are usually
published by the State Department
for distribution in monthly PAM
phlets under the title, Consular Re-
ports" They frequently contain in
formation of great value.
The United States imports every
year more than $500, coo, 900 worth
of goods from abroad. The duty col
lected on them, despite the fact that
many are on the free list. amounts to
nearly 5000, 600, 900.
All invoices of these immense ship.
ments of goods must, first of all, be
presented to the CONSUL for eXami-
nation as to their cost and value.
Without the Consul's official declara-
tion that the facts have been stated
in the invoice not one dollars worth
of the goods is permitted to enter at
the American Custom House.
In the examination and legaliza-
tion of the invoices the Consul be-
comes close agent and aid of the
Custom Houses and the Department
of the Treasury, with both of which
he is in constant communication.
Unfitness for his duty, from neglect
or lack Of training, may cost the
Treasury and the people large sums
of money.
Every invoice legalized costs the
shipper $3.50, and the fees so collected
more than support the whole consular
system.
The United States have altogether
some $50 consular posts scattered
over the world. Many of these, how
ever, are but subordinate consulates
or agencies. under the controt of the
nearest consul Some of them, even
as eonsulships, are, owing to want of
commerce, unirnportant and not self
Usually at the capital Of each |
foreign State a Consulate General is |
whose chief officer, in adj
ditien to the duties of that post, has
a certain limited control of the other |
in his district.
The line between the duties Of |
officers and Consuls is not |
precisely defined, bat in general the |
diplomats are political the Consuls |
agents Of their country. |
The diplomatic posts are usually !
filed By Ministers and ENJOYS, who |
look especially after the political in
terests' and treaties between nations
In some instances as at Cairo,
Lisbon, TeneraD and else
where, the offices Of United States |
Ministers resident and Consul Generai
are combined. Youths Companion