Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-04

the subjects to which such examinations
shall relate
1t IL not assumed that this system VIII
prove full measure OF consular re-
form. II is quite probable that actuai eh-
perience will show particulars IN which
the order already issued may be amend
ed, and demonstrate that. for the pest
results. appropriate legislation by '0h-
gress is imperatively required.
CONSULAR INSPECTION.
In any event. these efforts 70 improve
the consular service ought to be imme-
dlately supplemented by legislation pro-
viding for consular inspection.
This has frequently been subject OF
Executive recommendation. and ! again
urge such action by Congress as VIII
permit The frequent and thorough inspec-
ton OF consulates by officers appointed
for that purpose. or by persons already
i'm the diplomatic or consular service. The
expense attending such a plan would De
insignificant compared with It's useiul-
ness. and hope the legislation necessary
10 SCI it on foot will be speedily forth
coming.
AMBASSADORIAL RESIDENCES.
am thoroughly convinced that in adj
dition TO their salaries, our ambassadors
aud ministers at foreign courts should
be provided by the government with OFF,
cial residences. The salaries OF the officers
are comparatively small, and. In most
cases. insufficient TO pay. with other ne
cessary expenses. the cost Of maintaining
household establishments IN feepng with
their important and delicate functions.
The usefulness Of a nations diplomatic
representative undeniably depends mucn
upon the appropriateness Of his sur
roundings, and a. country like ours, while
avoiding unnecessary show, should be
certain that il does not suffer In It's rels-
tons 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 our embassies
would abundanty justify the moderate
expenditure necessary to carry out TINS
suggestion.
National Finances.
As We turn from a review of our foreign
relations TO the contemplation or our ma
tional financial situation, We are imme-
diately aware that we approach subject
Of domestic concern more important IMAM
any other that can engage our attention,
and one at present in such perpleNing
and delicate predicament as to require
well be encouraged TO earnest effort IN
this direction when we recall the Steps
already taken toward improving our
economic and financial situation, and
when We appreciate how well the way
has been prepared for further progress
by an aroused and intelligent popular IN
terest in these subjects
49, command OF the people. a customs
revenue system. designed for the pro-
lection and benefit OF favored classes al
the expense OF the great mass OF our
countrymen, and which, while ineihcient
for the purpose OF revenue, curtailed our
trade relations and impeded our entrance
10 the markets Of the world. has been
superseded by tariff policy which, IN
principle. is based upon denial OF the
right OF the government TO obstruct the
avenues to our peoples cheap living or
lessen their comfort and contentment for
the sake OF according especial advantages
to favorites: and which, while encourag-
ing our intercourse and trade with
other nations. recognizes the fact that
American self-reliance, thrift, and IN
genuity can build up our country's in
dustries and develop its resources more
clearly than enervating paternalism.
The compulsory purchase and coinage
OF silver by the government, unchecked
and unregulated by business conditions
and needless Of our currency needs, which
for more than fifteen years diluted our
circulating medium, undermined conf
dence abroad IN our financial ability, and
al last eliminated i'm distress and panic
at home. has been recently stopped by
the repeal Of laws which forced this reck-
less scheme upon the country.
The things thus accomplished, nOtwith-
standing their extreme Importance and
beneficent effects. fall far short of curing
the monetary evils from which We suffer
as a result OF long Indulgence In Had
vised financial expedients
GREENBACK CURRENCY.
The currency denominated United States
notes. commonly known as greenbacks,
was issued In large volume during the
late civil war, and was intended orr
ginally 10 meet the exigencies a that
period. II will X seen by reference TO
the debates in Congress AT the time the
laws were passed authorizing the issue
OF these notes that their advocates de-
clared they were intended for only tenn
porary use. and to meet the emergency
Of war In almost, IL not all, the laws
relating TO them, some provision was
made contemplating their voluntary or
compulsory retirement. A large guam
tty OF them. however. were kept on
foot, and mingled with the currency or
the country, so that at the close OF the
year 1874 they amounted TO SSl 1888, 07S
Immediately after that date, and in
January, 1875, a law was passed provid-
ing for the resumption of specie pay
ments, By which the Secretary of the
Treasury was required, whenever addi-
tional circulation was issued 10 national
banks, to retire United States notes equal
in amount TO 50 per cent. OF such addi-
tional national bank circulation, until
such notes were reduced TO xO0.000OOo.
This law further provided that on and
after the LIST day of January. 1879. the
United States notes then outstanding
should be redeemed i'm coin, and in order
to provide and prepare for such redemp'
ton the Secretary of the Treasury wal
authorized not only TO use any surplus
revenues OF the government. but 10 issut
bonds Of the United States and dispose
OF them, and use the proceeds for the
purposes contemplated by the statute.
RETIREMENT FORBIDDEN.
In May. 1873. and before the date thu,
appointed for the redemption and re-
tiremcnt Of these notes. another statute
was passed fOrbidding their further cap
collation. and retirement Some OF theu
had however. been previously redeemed
and cancelled upon the issue Of additional
national-bank circulation. as permitted
by the law Of 1870, so that the amount
outstanding at the time Of the passage
OF the act forbIdding their further re.
tirement was S4s. 6slOl6. The law o.;
1873 did not stop at distinct prohibition.
but contained in addition, the following
express provision: And when any OF
said notes may be redeemed or be re-
ceived into the Treasury, under any law,
from any source whatever, and SHAH be
long to the United States, they shall not
be retired, cancelled, or destroyed, but
they shall be reissued. and paid out again
and kept In circulation
This was the condition OF affairs on the
LIST day of January. 1879, which had been
Sxa1 ,,rop four wears before as the date