The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-12-07
in their stead, rupture Of intercourse
ensued and still continues.
IMPROVE THE CONSULAR SERVICE
The President Advises That Civil Service
Regulations ApDIy


Regulations Apply.
In view of the growth of our interests
IN foreign countries and the encouragine
prospects for general expansion of our
commerce, the question of an improve
ment in the consular service has increased
IN Importance and urgency. Though there
Is no doubt that the great body of consular
ohcers are rendering valuable services
to the trade and industries of the coun-
try the needs Of some plan of appoint
ment and control which would tend to
| secure higher average of efficiency can
not be denied. The Importance of the
subject has led the executive to consider
what steps might properly be taken with
out additional legislation and answer the
need OF better system of consular ap-
pointments.
The matter having been committed to
| the consideration of the secretary of state
In pursuance of his recommendations an
| executive order was issued on the 10th of
September, 1895, by the terms of which it
/ is provided that after that date any va
cancy in a consulate or commercial
agency with an annual salary or com
penSatiOn from official fees of not more
than $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 tending to qualify
the incumbent of the position to be filed;
or by the appointment of a person not I'M
der the department of state, but having
previously served Hereunder and 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 the board for examination is
found upon such examination to be quail
fled for the position. Posts which pay
less than $1,000 being usually, on account
OF their small compensation, filled by Sc
lection from residents of the locality, it |
was not deemed practicable to put them |
under the new system.
The compensation of $500 was adopted |
as the maximum limit in the classification. |
for the reason that consular officers re
celV1ng more than that sum are often /
charged with functions and duties scarce
ly inferior in dignity and Importance to
those of diplomatic agents and it was
therefore thought best to continue their
in the discretion of the execu-
tive without subjecting them to examina-
ton before a board. Excluding II places
with compensation at present less than |
5000 and So places above the maximum in
compensation, the number of positions |
within the scope of the order
is 1876. This number will undoubtedly be
increased by the inclusion of consular
officers whose remuneration in fees, now
less than $1,000, will be augmented with the
a I
return to more favorable business condi-
tons.
In execution of the executive order re-
erred to, the secretary of state has desig-
lated as board to conduct the prescribed
the third assistant secretary |
If state, the solicitor of the department |
If the state, and the chief of the consular | .
bureau, and has specified the subjects to
which such examinations shall relate. It !
S not assumed that this system will prove
full measure of consular reform It is | &
Iufte probable that actual experience will I
how particulars in which the order al I
eady issued may be amended, and demon {
trate that for the best results appro- r
riate legislation by congress is impera-
lively required. r
CONSULAR INSPECTION. t
In any event these efforts to improve t
he consular service ought to be imme- t
lately supplemented by legislation pro- e
iding for consular inspection. This has V
been a subject of executive o
commentator, and 1 again urge such g
ction by congress as will permit the fire. 2
uent and thorough inspection of con- i
ulates by officers appointed for that pur- [
ose or by persons already in the diplo- Il
latic or consular service. The expense
ttending such plan would be insignif- Is
ant compared with its usefulness, and 1 d
ope y legislation necessary to set it e'
4 foot will be speedily forthcoming
1 am thoroughly convinced that in ad-
ton to their salaries our ambassadors ls
nd ministers at foreign countries should | p
2 pro&1ed by the government with Of tC
cial residences. The salaries of these u
Ulcers are comparatively small and in u
ost cases insufficient to pay, with other | is
ecessary expenses, the cost of maintain 81
g household establishments in keeping a.
it'll their important and delicate func- III
ons. The usefulness of d nations diplo- | 81
attic representation undeniably depends | o'
UGH upon the appropriateness of his
and a country like ours Ia
lille avoiding unnecessary glitter and II
ow, should be certain that it does not lie
ffer in its relations with foreign ma ST
ms through parsimony and shabbiness De
its diplomatic outfit. These considera- OF
ms and other advantages of having
ed and in some places permanent habi-
tons for our embassies would abund- | an
thy justify the moderate expenditure be
cessary to carry out this suggestion no