New-York tribune., 1894-06-25
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
URGENT NEED OF REFORM IN THE SYS-
TEN OF THE UNITED STATES.
AN AMERICAN or EXPERIENCE DESCRIBES
IT'S DISADVANTAGES AND SUGGESTS

tn the Eltor Of The Tribune.
Sir. The North American Review OF April
,Sel contained Interesting article emitted ~
t,-n, IN the Consular Service" written by Nilah
7, Wharton. ex-Assistant Secretary ~ state ihis
O. q subject which appeals to the patriotism OF
- American citizen at homo o. abroad. an !,
% one Of the latter. deeply deplore that that abe
yyrter cir;aiel his views, necessarily 'rrihs ON
ers lacking his diplomatic experience ana 'apapl"-
tics into a discussion Of this n@Nh1us'-oe ''e'n''
IN the main with but few exceptions 'o"cu'
ai,h the DISTINGUISHED genteman's IDEAS stated IN
e. mas;erlv manner Hut permit me. through 'he
- ,,.rn Of your columns. to voice my ooSerVa-
,,,ns based upon my personal experiences.
Nv extensive travels in Europe during the last
ef,een years as a merchant have brought me CON
sontlv in close touch with United states 'ohsuIs'
.rb,ch fact enables me to add my Views from
nr,ctical stan Ipont without bias or prejniice me
,~,o NJ .ha evil of our Consular service Is d.
s.,lv traccahle to tho mode Of selection OF the
oBcors b. the state Department. This system is
ar Old tlrnc-honored ore, and, considering Us s'a-
,iiity I feel Justified IN asserting. with due re-
oc. and crcdl, to our representatives abroad
,hot they are as a general rule. surprisingly ell
cent The best proof of this is reflected IN 'n'"
consular reports which, although within the easy
rsoch Of arv applicant (as the state department
s,ppli,s them grats). are not as popular VII" 'iV
c.,e-,l public as Other literature OF less interest,"
commanding ready sale
s lot us keep the other wide open 10 the next eX-
is,inc evii--one which undermines the structure OF
,ba consular service. 1t IS the unjust remoVai anu
,a,irement Of competent Consu,s. generally TOT 10
other than the usual partisan causes II our "o'-
.,,rent would adopt the same policy OF retention
and promotion. upon the merits OF each ihuViuu"
.os. n,rs,el by other governments, our repre-
sentatives abroad would In the enjoyment OF such
safeguard and promotion. soon develop as Tue
eouals n not eventually the super'ors' OF 'ner
foreign colleagues ca.
1-rt,r,unatcly. very ntt,e outside OF the state
,,or,,,ep, Is really known OF the routine work OF
= f-n,c5 states Consul II Is seldom. indeed that
q, American citizen while travelling abroad VS.
,s his country's Consulate unless ne hnds h''nsei
sn some prcdicament In that event ne ihVarlaoS
navs his respects USUALLY unfortiied with an Amer
lea, possporD to the Consul. and threatens MN
,.h ~o,,ovol df his irate compatriot be a Demo-
c-,n through the medium Of the President OF
~ his political complexion be Republican, through
,b,t Of the Secretary Of State should the wrong
suffered be not repaired forthwith. Usually the
wrong Is n the debit side of our supph'ah' uue
10 his ignorance Of the language.
I, has been my pleasure and privilege 70 Visit
.o-., - so United states Consulate occasionally
VEL suDa!Ial with American newspapers. pamphlets
,eriolica.s ani other current literature It's tout
ersen,ble together with the marked hospitality OF
IT'S Consul makes IT, verify. a chceriul American
oasis for its numerous visitors especially so Tor me
ao,tn,e-el American colony now in evidence While
IN ~, reaGing-room the othe- day enjoying otium
cum dguita:e. | gained an idea of the incumbent
daily experiences: one S!gnor A wanted TO Know
the law Of descent and distribution IN the United
States as his brother had just died there intestate
leaving his widow. without any issue. In possession
NJ his real estate He was informed that there are
fortv-folr different State laws and that the law OF
such state wherein such property is situate heces-
sariv prevails Further persistent inquiry revealed
the place 10 be Francisco, and the Consul ior-
1una,ely being lawyer in possession OF his law IL
brary. soon gave the desired informatloh' coNeren
by the statute Of California.
Sjgnor b wished information concerning the
right TO enter certain antiquities free from customs
duties at the port Of Ncw-York. The Consul looked
up the decisions apperaining TO the point al issue
ana soon gave an intelligent answer
The Rev DR. c. called for a contribution to the
- at - The request. being for a worthy OBJ
feet was cheerfuy complied with
M D. an American citizen, en- route 10 an IN
land town. exctedly protested against the exacton
Of exorbitant customs duties levied by the local au-
tbori.ies and demanded immediate restitution of
snch overchargcs besides indemnity for the humiia-
,,on suffered A little patience and judgment on the
part Of the Consul disclosed the fact that our
wronged 60 compatrlot had imported contraoand
goods-tobacco
M nav therefor. Would the Consul kindly take
measures at once to have the United States Cow
eminent prosecute the delinquent? The case was re-
ferrel to a reputable LAWYER there
Mr. c. is announced as an American In distress
His appeal was In such low tone Of voice that We
in the adjoining readirg-room. did not hear the
palnt but we saw the tears Of Joy In the eyes of
the unfortunate as he emerged from the Consuls
room exhibiting to two crisp l0-lire bills
Mr. H is anxious 10 know when the Wilson bill
IS TO become enacted? The Consul courtcousy re-
fers his que soner to the numerous newspapers on
file bids him and the other 'squatters' pleasant
70 hfc luncheon
10 the Consulate to resume the forenOons ordeal
And So ! presume each day Is repetition IN SUD-
stance of the preceding one.
OF course invoices continually presented and
the Consuls duty is to verify the mathematical
computations ana stand sponsor, though rarely an
expert to the correctness Of the market va.ues Of
the different enumerated merchandise.
Every mail from the intel States brings TO our
Consuls numerous inquiries from manufacturers ana
dealers In every imaginable article; others desire
to establish business relations; others seek foreign
agencies; others ask the financial standing OF firms
AS q general rule the writers OF these letters give
'fhard nuts to crack" aside from the loss OF time
ana Inconvenience thereby suffered by the Consul
who may Just be busy engaged and deeply en-
crossed In compiling data for some report to
the United States Government And all this FOR tne
munincent and magnarmous salary OF N'SO per
annum, Is II not far more preferable to be ship
ping clerk bookkeeper or salesman at home thah
Consul abroad?
1, Is reasonably to be expected that Consul
be a man Of education and refinement, ana
Il not conversant with the language OF the country
10 which ne may be accredited. at least with
French-the established diplomatic one. Devoid
Of these qualifications it looks ludicrous for Con-
sui 10 be chaperc ned by an interpreter when paying
or receiving official visits. or bent upon any other
Official mission l remember an inclden; OF re-
ception rendered by His Majesty King Hilab"rt
Several years ago 10 the Consular Corps among
whom our repr sentative had the distinguished
honor Of being presented who thereupon covered
with bushes in profusion. expressed his inabi'y
10 converse In any other language but his own
English mortified colleague standing near
graciously volunteered his services as interpreter
but the King. seemingly ANNOYED. Justly reinirked