Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-12-13
IMPROVE THE CONSULAR SERVICE
The President Advises That Civil Service
Regulations Apply.

The President Advises That Civil Service
Regulations Apply.
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 services
to the trade and industries OF the coun-
try, the needs Of some plan of appoint
ment and control which would tend to
secure higher average Of efficiency can
not be denied. The importance OF the
subject has led the executive to consider
what steps might properly be taken with
out additional legislation and answer the
need OF better system of consular APP
pointments.
The matter having been committed to
the consideration Of the secretary of state
| In pursuance of his recommendations an
executive order was issued on the goth Of
September, 1895. by the terms OF which 1t
| Is provided that after that date any va
cancy in a consulate or commercial
agency with an annual salary or COM
pensation from official fees Of not more
| than 1880 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 incumbent Of the position to be filled;
| or by the appointment Of q person not UNI
/ der the department OF state, but having
previously served hereunder and shown
| his capacity and fitness for consular duty;
| or by the appointment of person who,
| having been selected by the president and
i sen. to the board for examination il
| found upon such examination to be quail
fed for the position. Posts which pay
| less than $1,000 being usually. on account
/ of their small compensation, filled by Sc
lection from residents of the locality. 1t
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 re-
| ceiving more than that sum are often
charged with functions and duties scarce
ly inferior In dignity and Importance to
| those of diplomatic agents and 1t was
| therefore thought best to continue their
selection In the discretion of the execu-
tive without subjecting them to examina-
ton before a board. Excluding II places
| with compensation at present less than
$1,000 and SO places above the maximum In
compensation, the number of positions
remaining within the scope of the order
is 1876. This number will undoubtedly be
increased by the inclusion OF consular
officers whose remuneration in fees. now
less than $1,000. will be augmented with tho
growth of our foreign commerce and q
return to more favorable business condi-
tons.
In execution of the executive order re-
ferred to, the secretary Of state has desig-
mated as a board to conduct the prescribed
examinations the third assistant secretary
of state, the solicitor Of the department
of the state, and the chief of the consular
bureau, and has specified the subjects to
which such examinations shall relate. II
is not assumed that this system will prove
a full measure of consular reform. It ID
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 appro.
|, pirate legislation by congress Ia impera-
lively required.
} the consular service ought to be imme
diately supplemented by legislation pro
viding for consular inspection. This hal
> frequently been a subject of executiv,
. recommendation. and again urge sucl
action by congress as will permit the fire.
quent and thorough inspection Of con
sulates by officers appointed for that pur
: pose or by persons already in the diplo
matte or consular service. The expens
attending such plan would be insignif
cant compared with Its usefulness. and
hope the legislation necessary to set
> on foot will be speedily forthcoming.
l am thoroughly convinced that In I'D
e dition to their salaries our Ambassador
q and ministers at foreign countries shoul
/ be provided by the government With oil
i ficial residences. The salaries of thee
t officers are comparatively small and !
e most cases insufficient to pay, with oths
II necessary expenses, the cost of maintair
a ing household establishments in keepin
d with their important and delicate fun,
a, lions. The usefulness of a nations dipl,
.e matte representation undehiably depend
20 much upon the appropriateness of h
n surroundings and a country like our
al while avoiding unnecessary glitter al
1t show, should be certain that 1t does a,
j. suffer in Its relations with foreign n
" lions through parsimony and shabbine