The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1895-12-05


the ncighborhCod. that our citizens, as
well as theirs win be received and pro-
tected on board these ships. on the de-
mand OF our minister. orders have been
issued by the sultan that Turkish sol-
dlers shall guard and escort to the
coast American refugees. These orders
have been carried out, and our latest
intelligence gives assurance Of the
present personal safety Of our citizens
and missionaries. Though thus far no
lives Of Americans have been sacrificed.
there can be no doubt that serious los
ses and destruction Of property have
resulted from riotous conflicts and out
rageous attacks. BY treaty several Of
thc most powerful European powers
have secured a right 20 assume a duty
not only In behalf OF their own citizens
and furtherance Of their own interests,
but as agents Of the Christian world.
Their right Is TO enforce such conduct
Of Turkish government officials as VIII
restrain fanatical Jealousy, and n this
fails, their duty is 70 insure ali against
such dreadful occurrnccs IN Turkey as
have lately shocked civilization. The
powers declare this right and this duty
to be theirs alone. and Il IS earnestly
hoped that prompt and effective action
on their part viii not be delayed. The
new consulatcs at Erzcroum and Har-
poot, for which appropriations were
made last season, have been provision
ally filled by trusted employees IN the
department az state. These appolntees.
though now IN Turkey, have not yet re-
ceived their cxequater3.
The arbitration of the claim OF the
Venezuelan Steam Transportation
Company under the treaty OF Jan. ls.
1892. between the United States and
Venezuela, resulted IN an award In IA
vor Of the claimant.
The government has used ifs g00d
Offices towards compromising the dlf-
ferences between Venezuela on the one
hand and France and Belgium on the
other. growing out or the dimissal Of
the representatives OF these powers on
the grounds Of a publication deemed
offensive to Venezuela. Although that
dismissal was coupled with a cordial
request that other and more personally
agreeable ENJOYS be sent IN their stead.
a rupture Of Intercourse ensued and
still continues. IN view Of the growth
Of our interest In foreign countries,
and the encouraging prospects FOR
general expansion OF our commerce,
the question Of an Improvement IN the
consular service has increased in Inn
portance ard urgency. Though there
IS no doubt that the great body Of con-
sular officers are rendering valued ser
vice to the trade ard industries OF the
country, the need Of some plan OF ap-
polntment and control which would
tend to secure a. higher average OF ef-
fclency cannot be denied. The impor-
tance OF the subject has led the exec
utive % consider what steps might
properly be taken without additional
legislation 20 answer the need OF a bet
ter system OF consular appointments.
The matter having been committed TO
the consideration Of the Secretary OF
Staet. in pursuance Of his recomn.en-
dalton an executive order was Issued
on the 20th Of Sept. 1895. By which Il
Is provided that after that date any
vacancy IN a consulate or commercial
agency with annual salary or compen-
sation from official fees OF not more
than $500 or less than $1,000, should
be filled either BY transfer or by pro-
motion from some other position under
the department Of State. OF character
tending 10 qualify the incumbent for
the position TO be filed, or by the ap-
pointment OF a person not under tho
department of State. but having pre-
viously served Hereunder and shown
his capacity and aptness for consular
duty, or by the appointment OF a per-
son, who, having been selected by ne
president and sent TO a board for ex-
animation, IS found upon such examl-
nation 70 be qualified for the position.
Posts which Pay less than 1900 being
usually. on account Of their small com
pensation. filled by relection from res
ldents Of the locality. Il was not deem
ed practicable 70 put them under the
new system. The compensation or 81
600 was adopted as the maximum limit
in classification. for the reason that
consular officers receiving more than
that sum are often charged with func-
tiOns and duties scarcely inferior In
dignity and Importance 20 those Of Dip
lomatic agents, and II was therefore
thought best 10 continue their selection
IN the discretion Of the executive with
out subjecting them to examination be-
fore a board. Excluding n places with
compensation at present less than ST.
600. and So places above the maximum
in compensation. the number Of posi-
fions remaining withing the score of
the order Is one hundred and ninety
six. This number will undoubtedly be
increased. but the inclusion Of consul
lar officers whose compensation In fees
is now less than $4,000 VIII be aug
mented with the growth Of our foreign
commerce and a return to more favora-
BILE business conditions.
In execution OF the executive order
referred to, the secretary Of State has
designated as q board 70 conduct the
prescribed examinations. the third as
slstant secretary OF State. the solici-
tor Of the department OF State, ana
the chief Of the consular bureau, and
has specified the subjects 20 which
such examinations shall relate It is
not assumed that this system VIII
prove q fun measure Of consular re-
form. II IS quite probable that actual
experience WIN show particulars IA
which the order already Issued may oe
amended and demonstrate that for the
best results, appropriate legislation BY
congress is imperatlvely required. In
any events these efforts TO improve the
consular service ought 70 be immedi-
ately supplemented BY legislation pro
viding Tor consular inspection. Inis
has frequently been subject or ex-
ecative recommendation, and / again
urge such action by congress as WIN
permit the frequent and thorough IN
-pection for that purpose. or Dy per-
sons already in the diplomacy or con-
suIar services The expense attending
such plan would be insignihcant
compared with its "usefulness. and
hope the legislation necessary TO set
II on foot will be speedily forthcoming
am thoroughly convinced that ~ ad-