The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-04

fees toward composing the differences be-
tween Venezuela on the one and and
France ana Belgium on the other. grow
ing out Of the dismissal OF the representa-
tlyeS OF those powers on the ground OF a
publication deemed offensive to Venezuela.
Although that dismissal was coupled with
a cordial request that other more person
aIiy agreeable ENJOYS be sent IN their
stead. q rupture stiIl continues.
Diplomatic and Consular Service.
In view OF the growth OF our interests
IN foreign countries and the encouraging
prospects for general expansion OF our
commerce, the question of an improve
ment IN the consular service has increased
in Importance and urgency. Though there
IS no doubt that the great body OF consular
officers are rendering valuable service to
the trade and industries of the country.
the need OF some plan OF appointment and
control which would tend TO secure a high
or average of efficiency cannot be denied.
The Importance of the subject has led the
executive to consider what steps might
properly ne taken without additional leg
islation 10 answer the need OF a better sys-
TEN OF consular appointments. The mat
ter having been committed to the consid-
eratiox of the secretary Of state. in pur-
suance OF his recommendations an cx-
ecutive order was issued on the 20th of
September, 1888, ny the terms of which IL
is decided that after that date any va
thNEF N q CDfSAiatE o GoffifiltEEAdi dSfuCE
with an annual salary or compensation
from offczal fees of not more than $500
or less than s1.Oo0. should be filled either
by transfer or promotion from some other
position under the department of state OF
a character tending to qualify the incum-
bent OF the position to be filled, or by the
appointment OF a person not under the de-
partment OF state. but having previously
served hereunder and shown capacity and
fitness for consular duty, or h" the ap-
pointment OF a person who. having been
selected by the president and sent TO a
/ board Of examination, is found. upon such
examination, TO be qualified for the posi-
ton. Posts which pay less than Sl.0o0 be-
ing usually. on account of their small
compensation, filled by selection from res
idents OF the locality, it was not deemed
practicable TO put them under the new
system. The compensation of $500 was
adopted as the maximum limit in the
classification for the reason that consular
officers receiving more than that sum are
often charged with duties scarcely infer
Tor in dignity and Importance to those of
diplomatic agents. and it was therefore
thought best TO continue their selection in
the discretion of the executive without
subiecting them to examination before a
board. Excluding seventy-one places with
compensation at present less than $1,000
and f~fty-three places above the maximum
in compensation. the number OF positions
FEilsA4AAAI& NANlil AftE SUPP ~ III u
is 1q6. This number will undoubtedly he
increased by the inclusion of consular Of
fcers whose enumeration in fees is now
less than e., 900 and will be augmented with
the growth OF our foreign and
"A return TO more favorable business con-
ditions.
In execution OF the executive order re-
ferred TO. the secretary of state has des-
ignated as a board TO conduct the pre-
scribed examinations the third assistant
secretary OF state. the solicitor OF the de-
partment of state and the chief Of the
consular bureau, and has specified the sub
iects 10 which such examinations shall re-
late. II is not assumed that this system
viii prove "A full measure of consular re-
form. II Is quite probable that actual
experience will show particulars in which
the order already issued may be amended.
and demonstrate that for the best results
appropriate legislation by congress is i'm
peratively required. In any event, these
efforts to improve the consular service
ought to be Immediately supplemented by
legislation providing for consular inspec-
ton. This has frequently been a subject
of executive recommendation. and | again
urge such action by congress as will per-
NIT the frequent and thorough inspection
Of consulates by officers appointed for the
purpose or by persons already in the diplo-
matte or consular service.
The expense attending Such = plan
would he insignificant compared with its
usefulness. and I hope the legislation nee
essary to set IL on foot viii be speedily
forthcoming.
am thoroughly convinced that. in addi-
tion 10 their salaries. our ambassadors
and ministers TO foreign countries should
he provided by the government with Of
fetal residences. The salaries Of these Of
! hcers are comparativelv small and in most
cases insufficient 10 pay. with other nee
essarv expenses. The cost Of maintaining
household establishment in keening with
their important and delicate functions.
/ The usefulness OF a nations Diplomatic
representative undoubtedlv dhnends much
upon the appropriateness of his surround
iugs. and n country Ike ours, while
avai1ine unnecessary glitter and show,
should he certain that II does not suffer
In its relations with FOREIGN nations
| through narsimony and shahhiness IN its
! diplomatic outfit. These considerations
| and tho other advantaFes of having fixed
and %nermanent legations for embassies.
would ~abundantlv Justify the moderate ex-
/ peraiture necessary TO carry out this sug-
/ g~estion.