The Penn's Grove record., 1895-12-06
CONSULAR SERVICE
What Has Been Done Toward Placing IT on o
Higher Piane-Rsform Measures.

ne ulbitIdtiOn Va tht tluAih 4 oft FtNF
czueia Steam TRANSPORTATION Company
under the treaty of January 10, 1892, be-
tween the United States and Venezuela,
claimant.
The government has used its good Offices
toward composing the differences betwcen
Venezuela, on the one hand. and France
and Belgium on the other. growing out Of
the dismissal of the representatives Of
those powers, on the ground of a publica-
ton deemed offensive to Venezuela. AL
though that dismissal WINS counled with a
cordial request that other more person.
ely agreeable ENJOYS be sent In their
stead, a rupture of intercourse ensued,
and still continues.
In view of the growth of our interests
In foreign countries and the encouraging
prospects for a general expansion of our
commerce, the question Of an improvement
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 nnd
control which would tend TO secure a
higher average of efficiency cannot be
denied.
The importance of the subject has led
the Executive to consider what steps might
properly be taken without legislation to
answer the need of a better system of
Consular appointments. the matter hav-
ing been committed to the consideration
Of the Secretary of State. In pursuance of
his recommendations. an Executive order
was issued on the 10th of September, 1896,
by the terms of which it is provided that
after that date any vacancy in a Con-
snlate or commercial agency with an an
nual salary or compensation from official
fees of not more than $500, or less than
$1,000, should be filed either by transfer
or promotion from some other position
under the Department of State of a char
acter tending to qualify the incumbent
for, the position to be filled. or by the ap-
pointment of a person not under the De
partment of State, but having previously
berved Hereunder and shown his capacity
and fitness for Consular duty, or by the
appointment of q 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 $1,000
being 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 sys-
tenn.
The compensation of $1,000 was adopted
as the maximum in the classification for
the reason that Consular officers receiv-
ing more han that sum are often charged
with functions and duties scarcely in
terler N algnity ana importance 10 those
nf AfnlnVrntra oDnnfa and ~ H0C fhcr0.
fore aip sSourbt i best to a Continue Il ea Their ire Sc
lection In the discretion Of the Executive
without sub1ecting Them to examination
before q board. Excluding seventy one
places WIN ompensauon at present less
than Y p hfty-tnree places above
the maximum in compensation, the mum
Der OF posiuons remaining within the
scope or the order ID one hundred and
ninety-six.
Consular Examinations
This number will. undoubtedly. be in
creased by the inclusion of Consular
officers whose remuneration in fees, now
less than $1,000, will be augmented with
the growth of our foreign commerce, and
are 70 return TO more favorapie business
cnnditions. IN execution OF the Execu-
we order reierred 70. the secretary OF
state has designated as a board to con-
duct the prescribed examinations the Third
assistant Secretary OF state, the solicitor
OF the Department OF State ana the chier
OF the Consular bureau. anu mas speci-
VEG the SUBJECTS TO which such examina.
Tons small relate. II Is not assumed ina
fnia system WI prove q fuii measure OF
Gonsular reform: II ls quite prooapl
tnAr actuai experience VIII snow particu-
iars IN wnicn the or9er aireauy Issued may
y amenoeu and demonslrate mat, LOT
ne nest results, approprlate ieglslatlon "
CONGRESS is imperatlyely required.
" any event inese EFFORTS 70 improve
tne. ~ service ouRne 70 pe imme-
diateiy uppiemected by ieglsialon
REoyiding lot CONSULAR inspection.
Inns pas Ireq9enuy psen q subject
sslslauUn ptoviusng LOT Consular lnspec.
nas aregue1uy oen supJcst