The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-04
PRESIDENTSMESSAGE


for which appropriation was made iass
session. have been Professionally nlled
nv trusted employees of the department
Of state. These appointees though now
in Turkey have not yet received Oneif
exequaturs. -
The arbitration of the claim OF the
Venezuela Steam Transportation com
many under the treaty of Jan. 10, lssz'
between the United States and Venezu-
Ella resulted in an award an FAVOR OF
the claimant. The government mas
used its good Offices toward composing
The differences between Venezuela on
the one hand and France and Belgium
on the other growing out OF the dis
missal of the representatives OF tnose
powers on the ground OF pupifca'lon
deemed offensive TO Venezuela Al
though that dismissal was coupled WITH
a coriiaI request that other more per-
sonauy agreeable ENJOYS be sent IN
their stead a rupture of intercourse en-
sued and still exists.
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
In view of the growth of our inter-
ests in foreign countries and the en-
couraging prospects for a general ex-
uansion OF our commerce. the question.
of an Improvement in the consular
service has increased in importance
and urgency. Though there is no doubt
that the great body of consular officers
rendering valuable service to the trade
and Industries of the country, the needs
of some plan of appointment and con-
troll which would tend to secure hign-
er average of efficiency cannot De ue-
MED The Importance of the subject
has led the executive to consider wnat
steps might properly be taken without
additional legislation, to answer the
need of a better system of consular APP
pointments. The matter having been
committed to the consideration OF the
secretary of state. in pursuance OF MS
recommendations, an executive order
was issued on the 10th OF September,
1895, by the terms of which II is pro-
vided that after that date. any vacan-
cy IN a consulate or commercial agency
with an annual salary or compensation
from official fees OF not more than
$500 or less than 81 900 should be nlleu
either by transfer or promotion from
some other position under the depart
ment OF state of a character tending 10
qualify the incumbent 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 capacity ana
fitness for consular duty, or by the ap-
pointment of a person who, having
been selected by the president and sent
TO a board for examination. Is FOUND,
upon such examination, TO be quahned
for the position. Posts which pay less
than 81, 900 being usually on account
selection from residents Of the locality,
II was not deemed practicable to put
them under the new system.
CHANGES THAT ARE MADE.
The compensation of 81, 800 was adopt
ed as the maximum limit in the CLASH
fication, for the reason that consular
officers receiving more than that are
often charged with functions and du
ties scarcely inferior in dignity and i'm
- 81 dsri n q
and II was therefore thought best 4
continue their selection in the discre
ton of the executive without subject
ing them to examination before
board. Excluding seventy-one place
with compensation at present less thai
$1,000 and fifty-three places above tn
maximum in compensation, the numbe
OF positions remaining within the scop
OF the order is one hundred and ninety
six The number will undoubtedly b
Increased by the inclusion of consula
officers whose remuneration in fee
now less than 81 900 win be augmented
with the growth of our foreign com
merce and a return to more favorabl
business conditions. In execution o
the executive order referred to the sec
rotary of state has designated as I
board to conduct the prescribed exami
nations the THIRD assistant secretar.
of state, the solicitor of the depart
ment Of state, the chief of the consula
bureau. and has specified the subject
to which such examinations shall re
late. II is not assumed that this sys
tenn viii prove a full measure of con
sular reform. II is quite probable tina
actual experience will show particular
In which the order already issued ma,
be amended. and demonstrate that. 70
the best results. appropriate Legislation
by congress Is imperatively required
In any event these efforts to improv
the consular service ought to be sup
plemented by legislation providing 70
consular inspection. This has frequent
ly been a subject of executive recon
mendation and I again urge such &C
ton by congress as viii permit the FIRE
quent and thorough inspection Of con
sulates by officers appointed for tina
purpose or by persons already in IN
diplomatic or consular service. Tn
expense attending such a plan woul
be insignificant compared with its use
fulness, and / hope the Legislation
necessary to set IL on foot viii
speedily forthcoming.
] am thoroughly convinced that, &
addition to their salaries, our ambas
sailors and ministers at foreign court
should be provided by the government
with official residences. The salarie
of these officers are comparativel
small. and in most cases insufficien. I
pay with other necessary expenses III
cost of maintaining household estah
lshments in keeping with their impor,
ant and delicate functions. The use
fulness Of a nations diplomatic repre-
sentative undoubtedly depends mucl
upon the Appropriateness OF his suS
roundings. and a country like our
while avoiding unnecessary glitter an
show. should be certain that IL does nC
suffer in Its relations with foreign ma
tons through parsimony and shabb
ness in Its diplomatic outfit. Thes
considerations and the other advani
of HAVING 6xod
permanent locations for embassit
would abundantly justify the moderat
expenditures necessary TO carry OF
this suggestion.
THE COUNTRY'S FINANCES.
AS we turn from a review of our 70,
eign relations to the contempla ton {
our national financial situation, we al
Immediately aware that we approach
subject of domestic concern more in
portant than any other that can er
gage our attention and one at preser
-