People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1895-12-05
cality 1t was not deemed practicable to
put them under the new system.
MUST HAVE DIGNITY

Inc compensation or S2,5OO was adOp-
ted as the maximum limit in the classi-
fication for the reason that consular
oflces receiving more than that sum
are often charged with functions and
duties scarcely inferior in dignity and
Importance to those Of diplomatic ag-
ents, and It was therefore thought best
10 continue their selection in the dis
erection Of the executive without SUBJ
Jecting them TO an examination before
going abroad. Excluding seventv-one
places with compensation at present at
less than $1,000 and fifty-three places
above the maximum in compensation.
the number Of positions remaining with
IN the scope Of the order is 1876.
rhis number will undoubtedly be in
creased by the inclusion Of consular Of
hcers whose remuneration in fees now
less than $1,000 will be augmented with
the growth Of our foreign commerce and
a return to more favorable business
condition. In execution of the execu-
tive order. referred to. the secretary OF
STATE has designated as board 10 con-
duct the prescribed examinations The
thlrd secretary Of state. the solicitor of
the department Of state. and the chief
OF the consular bureau. and has snsci-
ned the subjects 20 which. such exam
nation shall relate. Ii is not assumed
tnat this system will prove a full meas
ure OF consular reforms. 1t is quite
probable that actual experience will
show particulars in which the order al
ready issued, may be amended and DEM
onsuate that for the best results. an
propriate legislation by congress is L.
glsla.ively required. In any event
these efforts to improve the consular
service, ought to be Immediately sun
pIemented by legislation as providing
Tor consular inspection. This has been
a subject Of executive recommendation
ana / again urge such action by con-
gress as will permit the frequent ana
thorough inspection Of consulate by Of
Ulcers appointed for that purpose or by
persons already in the Diplomatic or
consular service. The expense attend.
ing such a plan would be insignificant
compared with its usefulness and |
nope the legislation necessary 10 set
II on foot will be speedily forthcoming.
TO HOUSE DIPLOMATS.
| am thoroughly convinced that in
ADDITION to their salaries our ambassa-
doris and ministers at foreign countries
should be provided by the government
with Official residences. The salaries of
these officers are comparatively small
and in most cases insufficient 10 nay.
WIN other necessary expenses, the cost
or maintaining household establish
ments in keeping with their important
and delicate functions. The usefulness
OF nations diplomatic representative
undeniably depends much on the appro-
pTiation of his surroundings ana a
country like ours. while avoiding IN
necessary glitter and show, should be
certain that ii does not suffer in IT'S
relations with foreign nations through
parsimOny and shabbiness in its diplo-
matte corps These considerations and
the other advantages of having fixed
and somewhat permanent locations for
our embassies, would abundantly lusti-
fy the moderate expenditure necessary
to carry our this suggestion.
FINANCES.
As We turn from a review Of our for
eign relations to the contemplation of
our national financial situation, We are
Immediately aware that we approach
a subject Of domestic concern more i'm
portant than any other that can en-
gage our attention and one at present
in such a perplexing and delicate pre-
dicament as TO require prompt and wise
treatment.
HITS PROTECTIVE TARIFF.
We may well be encouraged TO earn
est effort in this direction when we re-
call the steps already taken toward i'm
proving our economic and financial sit
uation, and when il is appreciated how
well the way has been prepared for
further progress by an aroused and in
teiligent popular interest in these sub
Jects. By command of the people. a
customs revenue system, designed L.
tha>C.--- - {. - - llls ereat
....-Jofity Ol our countrymen, and which
while inefficient for the purpose Of rev
enue cuntailed our trade relations and
impeded our entrance to the markets
OF the world, has been superseded by a
tariff policy which in principle is based
upon a denial Of the rights of the gov
eminent 10 Obstruct the revenues 10
our peoples cheap living, or lessen their
comfort and contentment, for the sake
Of according especial advantages to
favOrites and which, while encouraging
our intercourse and trade with other ma
tons, recognize the fact that American
self-reliance. thrift and ingenuity can
build up our cOuntry's industries and
develop its resources more surely than
paternalism. The compul-
sorry purchase and coinage Of silver by
the government unchecked and unreg-
ulated business conditions and needless
Of our currency needs, which for more
than fifteen years diluted our circulate
ing medium, undermined confidence
abroad in our financial ability and at
last eliminated in distress and panic
at home has been recently stopped by
the repeal Of the laws which forced this
reckless scheme upon the country. The
things thus accomplished nOtwithstand-
ing their extreme Importance and bene-
ficient effects, fall far short Of curing
the monetary evils from which We
suffer as a result Of long indulgence in
financial expedients.
AS TO GREENBACKS.
The currency denominated United
States notes and commonly known as
greenbacks was issued in large volume
during the late civil war and entered
originally to meet the emergencies OF
that period. 1t will be seen by a ref
erence to the denials In congress at
the time, laws were passed authorizing
the issue Of these notes; that their ad-
gocates declared they were intended for
only temporary use and to meet the
emergency Of war. In almost, If not
all the laws relating to them, some pro-
vision was made, contemplating their
voluntary or compulsory retirement.
A large quantity Of them however, were
kept on foot and mingled with the
currency OF the country 50 that at the
close Of the year 1874. they amounted
10 1881, 999,073. Immediately after that
date and in January 1875, a law was
passed providing for resumption Of spe-
Gle payment by which the secretary Of
the treasury was required whenever ad-
ditional circulation was issued 20 ma
tional banks 10 retire United States
notes equal in amount to so per cent OF
such additional national bank circula-
ton until such notes were reduced to
$500 0OO,O 900. This law further provided
that on and after the first day Of jan
uary. 1879, the United States notes out
standing should be redeemed in coin
and in order to provide and prepare for
such redemption the secretary Of the
treasury was authorized not only 70 use
The surplus revenue Of the government