The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-04

secure a higher average Of efficiency can
not be denied. The Importance Of the
subject has led the executive TO cOnsi Ter
what steps might properly be taken with
out additional legislation TO answer the
need OF "A better system of consular ap-
pointments. The matter having been
committed to the consideration Of the
Secretary of State. in pursuance OF his
recommendation an executive order was
issued on the 10th of September. 1895. by
the terms of which It Is provided that
after that date any vacancy in a con-
Sulate or commercial agency with an
annual salary or compensation from Of
ncial fees OF not more than 81, 900 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 ia
cumbent for the position TO be filed. or
by the appointment OF a person no. I'M
der the department of state, but having
his capacity and fitness for consular Quiy,
or by the appointment of
person who. having been selected
by the President and sent TO board for
examination. is found, upon such eXami-
nation, to be qualified for the position.
Posts which pay less than 81 900 being us
ually, on account of their small compensa-
ton, filled by selection from residents of
the locality. II was not deemed practical
bic to put them under the new system The
compensation of 1850 was adopted aS the
maximum limit i'm the classification for the
reason that consular officers receiving
more than that sum are often charged with
functions and duties scarcely Inferior In
dignity and Importance to those of diplo-
matte agents. and IL was there
fore thought best to continue
their selection in the discretion
of the executive without subiecting
them to examination before a board. Tx
Guiding seventy-one places with compensa-
ton at present less than $1,000. and nifty
three places above the maximum In COM
pensation. the number of positions re-
naming within the scope of the order is
one hundred and ninety-six. This number
Will undoubtedly be increased by the in
cluson of consular officers. whose r1mun-
GRAFTON In fees, now less than 1900. will
be augmented with the growth OF our for
eign commerce and a return to more ia
vorabe business conditions. In execution
of the executive order referred to the Sec
rotary of State has designated as n board
the third assistant secretary OF state, the
solicitor of the department OF state and
the chief of the consular bureau. and has
specified the subjects to which such exam
nations shall relate. II Is not assumed
that this system will prove full measure
of consular reform. II is quite probable
that actual experience will show parti-
culars in which the order already issued
may be amended and demonstrate that,
for the best results, appropriate legislation
by congress is imperatively required. In
any event these efforts to improve the con-
sular service ought TO be Immediately sup
Dlemented by legislation providing for con
sular inspection. This has frequently been
a subject of executive recommendation,
and / again urge such action by congress
as VIII permit the frequent and thorough
inspection OF consulates by officers APP
pointed for that purpose, or by persons al
ready I'm the diplomatic or consular ser
vice. The expense attending such plan
would be insignificant compared with its
usefulness, and hope the legislation nee
essary to set 1t on foot will be speedily
forthcoming.
/ am thoroughly convinced that i'm adj
dition to their salaries our ambassadors
and ministers at foreign courts should
be provided by the government with OFF,
cial residences. The salaries of these Off
GERS are comparatively small. and In cases
insufficient to pay with other necessary ex-
penses the cost of maintaining household
establishments in keeping with their i'm
portant and delicate functions. The use
fulness of a nations diplomatic represent
tative undeniably depends much upon the
appropriateness Of his surroundings, and
a country like ours, while avoiding I'M
necessary glitter and show should be GER
tain that II does not suffer I'm its relations
with foreign nations through parsimony
and shabbiness in its diplomatic outfit.
These considerations and the other adj
vantages of having fixed and somewhat
permanent locations for our embassies,
would abundantly justify the moderate
expenditure necessary to carry out this
suggestion.