The morning call., 1893-02-25
DIPLOMATIC PLUMS.

If street Iumors are to be believed, con-
siderable interest is being taken by leading
Democrats in this State in the distribution
of the diplomatic patronage which will
presently be at President Cleveland's dis
posal. Not that they are coyetous of honors
far from that; but they feel, as good Amer
leans. that the foreign missions should go TO
those who are most competent to fill them,
and they know where that class of persons
are to be found.
There are four frst-elasS missions, Great
Britain, France. Germany and Russia, with
salaries OF S17,50 attached; seven second
class missions, Austria, Italy, Spain, Brazil.
China, japan and Mexico. with salaries of
$4,000 attached; three $4,000 missions,
Chile, Peru and Central America; besides
number of smaller embassies, whose in
cumbents draw from 5000 to $780, 1t is
understood that the missions 10 England,
France and Russia can only be offered to
rich men. for the annual outlay of the envoy
is in excess of his salary; hence they
generally 90 to Eastern citizens who CON-
bine wealth with social position. st Berlin,
the American Minister can live on his
salary. and il is therefore awarded to some
one Of distinction whom the administration
desires to reward. Tie only two really
desirable frst-class missions are those to
Paris and London; they are regarded as
equivalent 10 a Cabinet position.
OF the $4,000 missions the one to Rome
and TO Madrid are desirable, and the one TO
Vienna is equally so. if the envoy has had
previous access TO aristOcratic society and
is familiar with German. The other four
are not worth accepting, except by persons
who wish to parade as members of the
diplomatic corps. There is nothing 10
attract an American at Rio de Janeiro or
the City Of Mexico. The envoy to Picking
cannot live on his salary and leads an iso-
lated life ia the dirtiest city in the world,
with 10 society except that of his fellow
diplomats. The mission to Toxic is a little
more desirable. It does not require its in
cumbent to live beyond his means, and he
can associate with the English and Ameri-
can society at Yokohama.
Among the minor missions students can
enjoy a four years term in Greece OF in
Persia, or Turkey, and there is field for
statesman in Central America. The salaries.
however, are hardly enough to go round.
OF late years there has been a sort of in
formal understanding that the Pacific Coast
is entitled to one or two missions, and those
to China and Japan have seemed to fall
naturally to its share. The mission to
Picking was offered by Mr.. Cleveland to
Judge Wallace in 1885. and only went to
Colonel DENLY OF Indiana when the Judge
declined. DENLY has served nearly two
full terms; his daughter has married well
in Picking; his wife has returned home; he
must be quite willing to welcome his sue
eesscr. Ii the post tempts any Californian
of prominence he can probably have it for
the asking.
Toxic is a more agreeable place of resi-
dence than Picking In some respects it is
very delightful, as Sir Edwin Arnold ex-
planned; the post seems to belong to Cali
fornia. But Nh Coombs Of Napa, who was
appointed on the death OF the late John +.
Swift. has only served about one year OF
his term. Il is almost certain that be will
not be disturbed till his four years have ex-
PRED. The courtesy Of the service f0Ibids
the removal of an envoy on the ground Of
his politics till he has served out his term.
An ambitious Californian might make
name for himself IN the Central American
| embassy. Mr.. NJ zner very nearly did so.
The union OF TIE Central American reDub-
lies cannot be much longer delayed. a
iudicious representative of the United
States might make himself the sponsor OF
/ the new nation and earn fame in Spanish
America as ell rs In his own country
Once 10 a way citizen Of this coast gets
mission in a country not watered by the
Pacific. AIr. Sargent was sent TO Berlin
ana Mr.. Solomon Hirsch was sent to Turkey.