The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-12-04

DECEMBER 4, 1885
Assistant Secretary Of Sthtc:gthe Solfc-
ltor of the Department OF State and the,
Chief of the Consular Bureau, and has
specified tile subjects to which such ex-
amtnattoEs-shall relate, 1T is not as
sumedkhhat, this system Will prove q
full. measure of, consular reform. 1t. is,
quite ipr9bable. that actual experience:
VIII show particulars in which the or,
der: already Issued may be- amended
ana demonstrate thatqfor the best re-
SUITS, appropriate legislation by Con-
Eress Is imperatively required. In any
event these efforts to improve the con-
sular service ought to be Immediately
supplemented by Legislation providing
tfpra consular inspection. This has fire..
guently. been q subject of executive
recommendation, and / again urge such
Sctton by Congress as will permit the
M thorough inspection of
cPDsulates by officers appointed for that.
purpose or by persons already in the di-
omat or consular service. The ex-
hepse such q plan would lie
1naisniflcant compared with its useful
moss, and l hope the legislation neces.
fo~rthcQming.
I am thoroughly convinced that In nd
9ition to their alaries our Ambassa-
dors and Ministers at foreign courts;
.shoulS be provided by the Government
WIN official residences. The salaries
OF these officers are comparatively small
in most cases insufficient 10 Day.
with other necessary expenses, the cost
OF maintaining household establish
ments in keeping with their important,
and delicate functions. The useful
ness of q nations diplomatic represen-
tative u~ndeniahly depends much upon,
the. appropriateness of his surroundings
and. a country like ours, while avoiding
Unnecessary glitter and show. should be
certain that 1t does not suffer in It's
relations with foreign nations Trough,
.parsimonN and shabbiness in it's diplo-
mattc outfit. These consideration and
the other advantages of having fixed
ana somewhat permanent locations fer
our Embassies, would ~abundantly justi-
~ the modernte e%xpend'ture necessary
to carry out his suggestions.
Our Financial Situation.
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
u subject of domestic concern moro i'm
portnrt than any other that can engage
our attention, and one at present In
such a p~erpleXing and delicate predtca-
'meilt rs to require prompt and wise
treatment.
We may we'll be encouraged to ear
nest effort In this direction when we re-
call the steps already taken toward i'm
proving our economic and financial SIT
uatiop. and when we appreciate how
wei. the way has been prepared for fur
ther progress by an aroused and intel
hg9nt popular interest in these sub
jects...
fy command of the people a customs
revenue, SYSTEM designed for the pro
teGlion and benefit Of favored classes ut
THE. expense of the great mass of oiir
qnuntrymen, and which, while incni-
hInINt fnNs fhn 800
tniled. our trade relations and imredcd
our entrance 10 the markets CT the
world, has been superseded by n tariff
policy which in principle is based upon
a denial of the right of the Govern
ment to obstruct the To orr
peoples cheap living or lessen their
comfort and contentment, for the sake
OF according especial advantages IT, ia
vorites, and which, while encouraging
our Intercourse and trade with other
nations, recognizes the fact that Amer
lean self-reliance, thrift and ingenuity
San build mp our country's industries
ana. develop Its resources more surely
than enervating patcrnalism.
Tine compulsory purchase and coinn ge
OF silver by the Government. unchecked
ana unregulated by business conditions
and needless of u currency needs.
which for more than fifteen years Ill
luted on, circulating medium, under
mined confidence abroad in our financial
ability, and at last eliminated In di.-
trcss and panic at home. has heen 70
GENTLY, stopped by the reneai OF the la ws
which forced this reckless scheme urr
the, country. The things thus accom-
plisllcq. Notwithstanding their extreme
Importance and beneficent effects, fall
far short of curing the monetary e, ils
from which we suffer ms n result of
long indulgence in i'll advised financial
CXnnntents. The currency denominated
United States notes and m
known as ~greenbacks was issued in
large volume during the late civil war.
and was intended originally to meet
the cXiEencies Of that period. IT Will
he seen by Il reference TO the debates :,
Congress at the time the laws were
passed authorizing tho issue of these
notes that their advocates declared they
were intended for only use
and. To meet the emergcncy of war. I'm
almost. II not all. the laws relating to
them some provision was made con-
tcmplatine their voluntary or compul
sorry retirement. 4 large Of
them. however. were kept on foot and
mingled with the currency nf the conn
try. so that at tNe closr of the year 1874
they amounted to S3S1 ,99A. GA.
Immediately after that date, and IN
january. 1875. n law was passed proyid-
monts, by which the Secretary of In,
tlonal circulation was Issued to National
Barks: 10 retire United States notes
equal in amourt to so per cent. If such
notes We're reduced 10 S3eO, 900 600 This
IN w ttIst hog ft.nI -t1ol tt,a. -. - -.