Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-04

the consular service is increased in Importance
and urgency Though there ls no doubt that
the great body OF consular officers are render
ing valuable services to the trade and Indus
tries Of the country, the needs Of some piap
OF appointment and control which would tend
TO secure higher average OF eihciency cam
not be denied
The importance OF the subject has led the
executive to consider what steps might prop
erly be taken without additional legislation
10 answer the need OF a better system OF con-
sular appointments The matter having been
committed to the consideration OF the secre-
tary Of state In pursuance OF his recomm2 nda-
tions an executive order was issued on the
goth Of September, 1895, by the terms OF
which II Is provided that after that date any
vacancy In a consulate or commercial agency,
with an annual salary or compensation from
official fees OF not more than 81. 500 or less
than $1,000, should be filled either by transfer
or promotion from some other position under
the Department OF State of a character tend
ing to qualify them for the position to be
filled, or by the appointment of a person not
under the Department OF State but having
previously served Hereunder and having
shown his capacity and fitness for consular
duty, or by the appointment OF a person who,
having been selected by the president and sent
to board of examination, IL found, upon
such examination, TO be qualified for the posi-
tion. Posts which pay less than 81 900 being
usually. on account of their small compensa-
tion, filled by selection from residents of the
locality, 1t was not deemed practicable to
put them under the new system. The COM
pensaion of $4,000 was adopted as the maxi
mum limit in the classification, for the rea-
son that consular officers receiving more than
that sum are often charged with functions
and duties scarcely inferior in dignity and i'm
portance to those of diplomatic agents, and 1t
was therefore thought best to continue their
selection in the discretion of the executive,
without subjecting them to examination be-
fore a board. Excluding seventy-one places,
with compensa ton at pres mt less than $1,000,
and ffty-three places above the maximum In
compensation, the number of positions re-
naming within the scope Of the order is l96.
This number will undoubtedly be increased by
the inclusion of consular officers whose re-
muneration in fees now less than $1,000, will
be augmented with the growth of our foreign
commerce and a return to more favorable
business conditions.
EXAMINING BOARD DESIGNATED.
In execution of the executive order referred
to the secretary of state has designated as
board to conduct the prescribed examinations
the third assistant secretary of state, the
solicitor of the Department of State and the
chief of the consular bureau and has specl-
fed the subjects to which such examinations
shall relate.
1t is not assumed that this system will
prove a full measure Of consular reform.
1t is quite probable that actual experience will
show particulars in which the order already
issued may be amended and demonstrate
that for the best results appropriate legisla-
tion by congress is imperatively required.
In any event these efforts to improve the
consular service ought TO be Immediately sup
plemented by legislation providing for con-
sular inspection This has frequently been
subject Of executive recommendation, and
again urge such action by congress as will
permit the frequent and thorough inspection
of consuates by officers appointed for that
purpose, or by persons already in the diplo-
matte or consular service. The expense at
tending such a plan would be insignificant
compared with its usefulness, and | hope the
legislation necessary to set 1t on foot Will |
be speedily forthcoming
| am thoroughly convinced that In addi- |
tion to their salaries our ambassadors and |
minister's at foreign courts should b. provided |
by the government with official residences. |
The salaries of these officers are compare |
lively small and in most cases insufficient to |
pay, with other neceSsar expenses the cost |
of maintaining household establishments In |
keeping with their important and delicate
functions. The usefulness of a nations |
diplomatic representative undeniably depends
much upon the appropriateness of his sur
roundngs and a country like ours while |
avoiding unnecessary glitter and show, should |
be certain that it does not suffer in its re-
lations with foreign nations through parsi- |
mony and shabbiness in its diplomatic outfit. |
These considerations and the other advantages |
of having fixed and somewhat permanent |
locations for embassies would abundantly jus
tify the moderate expenditure necessary to
carry out this suggestion.