New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-10
REFORM IN THE CONSULAR ~ERv1CE

REFORM IN IHE CONSOLAh LR'iS
MR. INGALLS, BILL LIKELY TO PRODUCE SOME
MIGHTY INTERESTING READING"
Washington April (SpeciaD.-The bill introduced
nv Representative Mccall. of Massachusetts,. to Sc
cure a reform Of the consular service is likely to
develop some interesting facts. 1t provides for the
appointment of a commission. to consist OF the AS
sistan Secretary Of State the Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury In charge OF the customs service.
two Senator's two Representatives and two citizens.
whose duty It shall be to make personal inspection
of such consulates and consular agencies as It may
deem necessary for a complete understanding OF
the consular system In the course Of debate there
s no doubt that several of the Representatives who
spent their vacation abroad will be heard from.
Some of these experiences will make interesting
reading TO the officials Of the State Depart
ment as well others. 1t is generally
admitted that some OF the distinguished gen.
tlemen now representing their country abroad
in official places not as suitable for such service
as could be desired. while others are thoroughly In
competent both from lack Of training as well as on
account OF their personal habits 1t will be stated
that in more than instance persons are draw
ing salaries as consus who in such a continual
state Of inebriety that their work. when done at
ALL has TO be done by foreigners acting as vice.
consuls Travelling Americans have had some pc
cuar experiences with them In the last two years.
gentleman OF prominence In the business world
told several members of Congress recently that he
had visited In the last two years dozen or more
Of consular Offices and not only could not find the
Consul although he had made repeated attempts
TO do So but could not find any one about the con:
sular ONCE who could speak understand one word
of English In other instances. he said. while the
consus were "spreeing' about the country. their
work was being done by their aged parents he
cited an instance where an aged lady visited her
SON who Is a consular agent and ne took advantage
of her presence go off on prolonged spree
leaving the office in her charge. While the old lady
perfectly willing. she was thoroughly unable 10
perform even the slightest service.
other cases were reported where consuls left their
offices and official matter In charge OF their children.
while the parent took French leave" II was
stated that the Consular Agent at Luxor. Egypt.
Aly Mourad Is an Arab of Nuban blood. who can
moi speak CT write a word OF English. This Is not
an ur.sal thing among consular agents. not only In
Spain Germany. AUSTRIA France and elsewhere.
Americans travelling for business or pleasure have
always TO use interpreters to do business OF any
kind with them 1t IL annoyance. dsappoint-
ment and expense which, It Is asserted. should be
remediej In some way.
SENATOR MORGAN HAS ANOTHER ATTACK.
Washington. April (SpeciaD.-Reports from Sem
ator Morgan to-day were not considered encourage
ing He was restless all day. He had an attack
during the night and had not fully recovered this
morning. The Senator's condition has given rise
10 various rllmors TO the effect that his disease Is
of a critical nature. but members Of his household
deny that such Is the fact. They say that the con-
gestion OF the liver which has caused the illness
has been relieved and express the opinion that ne
will improve now The attack OF last night Is at
tributed to the fact that the Senator overtaxed
himself In sitting up yesterday