The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-04

by transfer or promotion from some other
position under the State Department of a
Os e to ay e the or sg sh
appointment of a person not under the De-
partment 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
examination, to be qualified for the posi-
ton Posts which pay less than 1900
being usually, on account Of their small
OF the locality, it was not deemed prac-
ticable to put them under the new sys-
tenn.
The compensation of $500 was adopted
as the maximum limit in the classification
for the reason that consular officers re-
ceiving more than that sum are often
charged with functions and duties scarcely
inferior in dignity and Importance to those
OF diplomatic agents. 1t was, therefore
thought best to continue their selection in
Jecting them to examination before board
Excluding seventy-one places with COM
pensation at present less than $4,000. and
compensation, the number of positions re-
naming within the scope of the order is
l96. This number will. undoubtedly: be in
GERS 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 condi-
tions.
In execution of the executive order re-
ferred to. the Secretary of State has desig,
mated as board to conduct the prescribed
examinations. the Third Assistant Secre-
tary of State, the solicitor of the Depart
ment of State and the chief of the con-
sular bureau, and has specified the subjects
to which such examination 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 al
ready issued may be amended and demon
Strate that, for the best results. appropri-
ate legislation by Congress is imperatively
prove the consular service ought to be Inn
mediately supplemented by legislation pro-
viding for consular inspection. This has
been subject of executive recommenda-
ton and / again urge such action by Con-
gress as will permit the FREQUENT and thor
ough inspection of consulate5 by officers
appointed for that purpose or by persons
already in the diplomatic or consular serv-
ice. The expense attending such plan
would be insignificant compared with its
usefulness and hope the legislation neces-
sary to set 1t on foot VIII be speedily forth
coming.
1 am thoroughly convinced that, in addi-
ton to their salaries, our ambassadors and
ministers at foreign countries should be
provided by the government with official
are comparatively small and in most cases,
insufficient to pay, with other necessary
expenses. the cost of maintaining house
important and delicate functions. The use.
fitness of nations diplomatic represen-
tative undeniably depends much on the APP
propriateness of his SURROUNDINGS, ana
country like ours while avoiding unneces-
sary glitter and show. should be certain
that it does not suffer in it's relation with
foreign nations through parsimony and
considerations and the other advantages OF
having fixed and somewhat permanent To-
cations for our embassies would aou nac-
essary to carry out this suggestion.