The herald., 1895-12-04
THE CONSULAR SERVICE
consuis Should be Chosen by Reason Of
Qualifications

conSuis Should be Chosen by Reason Of
Qualifications
In view Of the growth oG our interest,
in foreign countries and the encouraging
prospects for a general expansion of our
commerce, the question OF an improve
ment IN our CO sular service has in
creased in importance and urgency.
Though there is no doubt that the great
body OF consular officers are rendering
valuable services to tho trade and indus
tries OF the country, the need of some
plan Of appointments and control which
would to cure q higher average OF efti-
CLERGY cannot be denied.
The i'm poriance OF ths subject has led
tho executive to co ssider what steps
might properly be taken. without addition.
al legislation to answer the nsed OF bet
ter system OF consular appointments.
The mst,er having been com nitted tn the
consideration OF the secretary OF state.
IN pursuance of his recon- men dations, an
executive order vas issued on the 2oth
day of Septic m Der 1895, by the terms of
which 1t is provided tnat after that date
any vacancy in consulate or CONNER
cial agency with an ual salary or com
pensation from official f.es OF not more
than $500 or less than $1,000, shall be
filled either by transfer or pro notion
from some other position un ief the de-
to qualify the incumbent for tile posi-
tion 20 be filed or by the appointment
OF person MT under the department OF
state, but having previously served tn ere
under and having shown his capacity
and fitness for consular duty, or by the
been selected by the president and sent
to board for examination, is found
upon such examination to he qualified
for the position. Posts which pay less
than $l00) being usually, on account OF
their small compensation, nil d by seiec-
tion from resi- ients of the locality, il was
not deemed practlua ole to put them under
tue new system. the compensation of
$500 was ad ited as the m ximum limit
In the classification f'r the reason that
consular officers receiving moro than
That sum are often charged with func-
lions and duties scarcely inferior in dig
nifty ana purta ce TO those OF di plu-
mat agents, and it was therefore
thought best to continue their selection
In tue discretion Of the executive, with
out subjecting them TO the examination
before a board EXclu lin. sevenly-one
places with compensation at present less
than $1,000, and tiity-three places above
the maximum in competition, the num-
Der OF positions remaining within the
scope of the order is 1876.
This number will undoubtedly be in
creased uy the increase OF the consular
officers whose remuneration in ices now
less than $1,000 will be aui. mented with
the growth of our foreign commerce and
O return 10 more IN vnrable business con-
,iitinns. In execution If the executive
order referred to the secretary OF state
has designated as a hoard t. conduct thu
prescri bed examinations, the Third assist
ant secretary of state, the 'licitor OF
the department OF state, the chief OF the
CO sIllr bureau and has specified the
subjects to which such examinatioDsshall
reIute. 1t is no. assumed that this svS.
TEN will prove u full MEASURE OF consular
reform. 1t is quite probable that actual
experience will show particulars IN
which the order already issued may be
amended; and demonstrate that Tor the
best results appropriate LEGISLATION by
congress is peratively required. In
any event these efforts to improve the
consular service ought to be srpplernen ted
by legislation providing for consular IN
spection. This has frequently been the
subject of executive recon- mendation and
again urge such action by CONGRESS as
will permit the frequent and thorough
inspection of consulates oy officers ap-
pointed for that purpose or by persons
already in the diplomatic or consular
service.
The expense attending suchg a plan
would be insignificant cnmp,red with
it, usefulness. and l hope the legisla
ton nece sarv to set it on foot will be
speedily forthcoming am thoroughly
tonv need that in additi"n to the salaries
ou- EN- uassadors and ministers at foreign
courts should be provided by tho govern
ment with official residences. The sala-
ries Of these officers are comparatively
small, and in most cases insnti.oi &c
| paw, with other necessary expenses, tne
| cost of maintaining household establish
| ments in keeping with their importan,
| and delicate functions. The Influence o.
| q nations diplomatic representative un'
dou btedly renus m UGH upon the apGro'
| prlateness of his surroundings, ana
country like ours, while avoiding un,
! necessary glitter, should be certain tnu'
| it does mot suffer in its relations WITH
| foreign naiions through pafs'm ony
and shabbiness in its diplomatic outfit
These considerations and the 9th ! ad
vantages OF having fixed and somewhat
perm snent location, for embassies would
abuadaatly justify the moderate expen IL
ture to carry out this suggestion.
|