Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-15

States with diplomats from other ma
tions. In a small way the case is very
well illustrated by the situation of an
American naval officer of rank. Such
man, in the service of Great Britain,
when exposed to a necessity for enter
tanning, is supplied by his government
with fund for the purpose, or is
authorized to send in bills to the ad-
miralty. There are circumstances
under which American naval officers
are put to really great expense in this
way. For instance, at the New Orleans
exposition an admiral was sent in COM
mand of small feet to do honors on
the water for this country. There
were vessels present for complimentary
purposes from all other Important
powers, and necessarily courtesies had
to be exchanged.
The officers of the American ships
were entertained on board those of each
foreign government, and balls and
dinner parties had to be given in re-
turn This meant great cost, all Of
which had to be betrayed out of the
private purses of the United States
officers, some of whom were compelled
on this account to mortgage their
meager salaries for a year or two in adj
vance to meet these international OBJ
legations. For the expenses of this
sort incurred by the foreigners their
home government paid as a matter Of
course. It seemed, however, to be con-
sidered a part Of the United States
officers duty to set up the wine and re-
fresnments on the semi-public occasions
in question. So it is always. These
foreigners, too, are used to the very best
and most expensive wines and cigars,
and the officers of the American navy
cannot decently return their hospitality
with inferior entertainment. It is un-
fortunate that international customs
are so expensive; but we must take
facts as we find them. We should have
national pride in maintaining our part
of comfy, without taxing our public
servants. If we can't dress and live as
other nations do, we should fall to the
rear and make no pretensions.
John c. New, of Indiana, the strong
and warm political friend of President
Harrison, declined the position of envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipo-
tentiary to Great Britain, and accepted
the secondary position of consul gen.
eral. because the more honorable posi-
ton would have paid but 81, 800 per
ahnum, and the expenses amount to
more than s25, 900 dollars year. He
preferred to be made consul general to
England, because there was money in
the latter Office, whereas to be minister
would have ruined him. For, pray, re-
member, the consul generalship at Lon
don is worth something like $40, 900
year, without any of the expensive so
cial obligations which devolve upon a
minister at court. Mr.. New would
have preferred the greater Office, but
he could not afford to take it. Robert
T. Lincoln was made minister to Great
Britain, and he suffered financially.
Mr.. New saved nearly s1O0,00o during
his four years as consul general.
While our ambassador to Great Brit
ain is obliged to live on comparatively
small salary, and pay for the expenses
of public entertainments out of his own
pocket, the British ambassador to this
country has salary of $4,000 per an
mum, a handsome residence which be-
longs to his government, and liberal
allowance for the expenses of state en-
tertainments. Some of our people, i'm
bued with Jeffersonian simplicity, will
be inclined to say that these expensive
entertainments might be dispensed