New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-04
WEDNESDAY,,
DECEMBER 4, 1895.

qualify the incumbent for the position 70 %
filled or by the appointment OF a person nv
under tho Donartment of state but having pre-
viously served hereunder and SHOWN nis 20.
pacty and fitness for consular duty OF oy .no
appointment OF a person who. having been -
leced by the President and sent TO poaru ~
examination. is found, upon such examihdus,o'.s:
10 be qualified for the position fosts VIII.
pay less than s., 900 being usually on account y.
their small compensation filed by selection from
residents Of the locality, 1t was not deemed pray
tcable TO put them under the new system;
The compensation OF $500 was adopteo AZ
the maximum limit in the classification Tor the
reason that consular officers receiving more uia
that sum are often charged with functions ana
duties scarcely inferior In dignity ana ihpoI.hn
to those OF diplomatic agents. end IL was there-
fore thought best TO continue ther seiecuon :"
the discretion OF the Executive without subject
ing them 10 examination before board TX.
Guiding seventy-one places with compensation ~
present less than $1,000, and hfty-three places
above the maximum In compensation. the hum
Der OF positions remaining within the scope OK
the order ia 1856 This number will undoubteoy
be increa sed by the inclusion Of consular ofncere
whose remuneration IN fees. now less than $lveo
will be augmented with the growth OF our for-
eign commerce ard a return 70 more favoraoie
business conditions.
PLANS FOR REFORM
IN execution of the Executive order referred TO-
the Secretary Of state has designated as board
TO conduct the prescribed examinations the Th'rd
Assistant Secretary Of Sta<e, the Solicitor OF the
Department Of State and the Chief Of the Consul
lar Bureau. and has specified the subjects 10
which such examinations 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 par
ticulars In which the order already issued may
be amended and demonstrate that, for the best
results appropriate legislation by Congress IL
imperatively required.
In any event these efforts TO improve the
consular service ought 10 be Immediately sup
MIA rod
Inspection This has frequently been subject
of Executive recommendation. and again urge
such action by Congress as VIII permit the ire
quent AMI thorough inspection OF consuiates
by officers appointed for that purpose or oy per-
sons already In the diplomatic or consular ser
vice. The expense attending such plan wou'u
be insignificant compared with It's usefuiness'
and hope the legislation necessary to set II on
foot will be speedily forthcoming.
am thoroughly convinced that In ADDITION 70
their salaries our Amba ssadOrs and Ministers AZ
foreign courts should be provided by the Govern
nent with official residences. The salaries OF
these officers are comparatively small and IN
most ca SEES insufficient TO pay. with otner neces-
sary expenses, the cost OF maintaining mousse
hold establishments in keeping with their I'M
portant and delicate functions. The usefulness
Of a nations diplomatic representative undehi-
ably depends much upon the appropriateness OF
his surroundings. and country IKE ours. WhiIe
avoiding unnecessary glitter and show, SHOULD De
certain that il does not suffer in It's relations
with foreign nations through parsirnory ana
shabbness in its diplomatic outfit These con-
siderations and the other advantages OF having
/ fixed and somewhat permanent locations Tor our
embassies would abundartly justify the moder-
ate expenditure necessary TO carry out THIS
suggestion
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION
As we turn from review of our foreign ~
ations 70 the contemplation OF our Nationai
financial situation we are Immediately aware
that We approach subject Of domestic con-
Germ more important than any other that can en-
gage our attention and one at present in such
perplexing and delicate predcament as to re-
qu!re prompt and wise treatment.
We may well be encouraged to earnest eHort
in this direction when We recall the steps al.
/ ready taken toward improving our economic ana
financial situation and when we appreciate now
well the way has been PREPARED Tor turtner
progress by an aroused an intelligent popular
interest in these subjects.
BY command of the people a customs-reve
system, designed for the protection ana oenen.
| of favored classes the expense OF the great
| mass of our cOuntrymen, and which, wniie IN
efficient for the purpose OF revenue curtailed
our trade relations and inlpeded our entrance 20
the markets OF the world, has been superseoeo
by tariff policy which in principle is oased
upon a denial OF the right OF the Government 10
obs ruct the avenues 10 our peoples cheap h"lnk
or lessen their comfort and contentment' for the
sake of according especial advantages TO iavor-
ties and which. while encouraging our inter-
course and trade with other nations. recognizes
the fact that American self-reiance thrift ana
ingenuity can build up our countrys Industries
and develop its resources more surely than eher-
waiting Daternalism. ,
The COMPULSORY purchase and coinage Of silver
bv the Government. unchecked and unreguated
by business conditions and needless OF our cur
rency needs which for more than hfteen years
diluted our circulating medium, undermined con-
hdence abroad in our financial ability. ana AZ
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 benencenl
effects fall far short OF curing the monetary evils
from which we suffer as a result OF long in
diligence in ill-advised financial expedents
The currency denOmnated United states notes
and commonly known greenbacks was issued
in large volume during the late civil war, ana
was intended originally to meet the eXigencies
of that period. 1t Will be seen by reference
IA the debates in Congress at the time the laws
we're passed authorizing the issue OF these notes
,hat their advocates declared they in
! tended for only temporary use and 10 meet the
/ emergency Of war. In almost. II not all, the
laws relating to them some provision was made
contemplating their voluntary or compulsory
retirement A large quantity OF them. however
were kept on foot and mingled with the cur
| rencv of the country. that at the close of
! the year 1874 they amounted 10 s3si.ess0'3
HISTORY OF GREENBACKS REVIEWED.
Immediately after that date. and in January.
1875 law was passed providing for the re-
sumption Of specie payments, by which the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury was required, whenever
additional circulation was issued to National
| banks. 10 retlre Inlt"u StaleS Ho'e' et"oi >
! amount TO 50 per cent of such additional Ma
! tiona bank circulation until such notes were re,
| duced to $500, 90 This law further PROVIDED
| that on and after January l. 1879. the united
| States notes then outstanding should be re-
| deemed in coin, and in order TO prcNide anu
prepare for such redemption the secretary OF the
| Treasury was authorized not only 10 use any
! surplus revenues of the Government. but TO issue
| bonds Of the United States and dispose or then
| for coin and 10 use the proceeds for the pur.
! poses contemplated by the statute:
In May. 1873. and before the date thus ap.
! pointed for the redemption and retirement OK
| these notes another statute was passed for
bidding their further cancellation and retire.
| ment Some Of them had. however. been pre-
viously redeemed and cancelled upon the issue OK
| additional National bank circulation. permit
! ted by the law Of 1875. that the amount OUT
! standing at the time Of the passage OF the act
/ forbidding their further retirement was $5fo,-