The evening times., 1896-12-09

Some Of the Requirements In the
Examinations.
Official patronage is frequently spoken of
a. means by which the President of the
United States can coerce Congress into
legislating as he desires.
1t has been stated that President elect
Mckinley viii hold back appCintme Dts until
some measure is passed to secure sufficient
revenue for all legitimate government ex-
penses, al the same time giving protection
TO American industries.
A long with this is coupled the positive as
sertiou that Congress Will be called in extra
session ON or about March g, and that the
Ways and Means Committee OF the present
House will be busy up TO that time with
hearings for persons interested in the
tariff.
With the prospect that offices will be
withheld till Il tariff bill is passed is joined
a desire TO know more definitely what po-
sitions are at the Presidents disposal, and
how much pressure he can bring to bear
through them. The civil service list has
been so changed by the orders of President
Cleveland that few are quite sure just what
the status of any given office may be.
II has been generally supposed that the
consular positions were to be filled by ex
test of fitness was to he upon competitive
examination, after which the appointment
would be made from the highest three
names, as in the case of other positions
under civil service rules.
This view is erroneous. The President
reatins all the power TO fill the place he ever
had; the only difference is that now he is
saved part OF the labor of makinga choice
by requiring the candidates to pass a non
competitive examination after he has been
nominated by the President for the posi-
lion. If he passes he receives the ar
pointment; if not another name is sent
III and the examination is repeated. This
IS continued till a candidate is found who
passes. The nomination, Of course, still
depends on influence and Presidential
favor.
The board of examiners consists of Judge
John Davis of the court Of Claims. Assist
nat Secretary of State W. W. Rockhll
and Robert ). Chiffon. clief of he consular
bureau
WHAT THE EXAMINATION Is ON.
The first essential for the appointment,
and therefore Of first Importance in the
examination, is a knowledge of the language
Of the country 10 which the applicant is
to be sent.
Other questions are directed to discover
the general education, knowledge of lang
uages and business experience of the
candidate. Hemust be well acquainted with
the geography, commerce, productions,
government and relations to the United
States OF the country in view; the func-
tions OF consul and all the technical
facts in connection with his duties; how
far minister's acts are binding upon
the gnscInmenU he I-DFcSen :. What are
wrongs to United states citizens under
treaty provisions; the regulations regard
ing ships in foreign ports; invoice require
ments: what Is piracy and how punIs al,i,.:
the consular regulations OF the United
States, and such other matters as NAV
seem fit to the examiners. Information
as to requirements can be had fully upon
application to any member OF the board
1t is the purpose to fill all places above
$1,000 in salary by promotion of persons
already in the service. In this way a per
manency of tenure and prospect of rise
In position will be attained, which will
attract men who would not accept a place
in the service at n comparatively low pay,
with the prospect OF being turned out in a
short time.
On the other hand, it is a fact that a law
was passed in 1864, providing for the ap-
pOintment OF a number of consular clerks,
who should be subject to removal only for
cause, and to whom promotion waspromised
as fast as they acquired expcif.nce.
Then, as now, the service was to a de.
Eltt up Will DIDktU-il1Wn DDlltlC1lnS,
and IT was desired 20 make reform, put
Ting 1t on footing with the diplomatic
corps of Great Britain and other countries
In some way this intention was frus-
trated, and in the third OF u century since
that time only eight men have been pro-
noted in the work, while the appointment
of such clerks was abandoned. II is pos
sible for Mai. Mckinley to revoke the order
requiring examinations, and TO set aside.
the tn
already in position. Strong pressure will
be brought To bear TO induce him to do it.
RICH FEES CUT OFF.
Another changethat has been made during
the present administration cuts much more
of a figure in fixing the Importance OF CON
sdlar patronage This is the order of
Secretary olney on October 81 last, which
takes FROM tn econSulS man Y fees whchhav
heretofore been their perquisites.
This affects especially the larger Places
such as London, Liverpool, Paris, Lyons,
and other European commercial
which have large business rela-
tons with he United States. The salaries
at these places are high in some instances.
but nothing like the sum to which the fees
raised them.
The consul general at Havana gets a
salary of Sc 900, the highest in the service:
Rio Janeiro, Liverpool, London, Paris, Cal
Melbourne, 81 800: Berlin, Montreal, Mex
co, Panama, and Yokohama, 81, 900; Cal
40. Halifax. Hayre, Vienna, Annoy, Canton:
and Tien- Tsirl, So 800: ottawa, Demarara,
Apia, Vera Cruz, Mantanzas, Montevideo,
Guyaquil; Valparaiso. Colon Dresden,
Frankfort. Prague, Antwerp, Bremen, Nu-
Rome, st. Petersburg, st. Gall,
3ase, ,Constantluople, Singapore, Chinkiang,
Chunking, Fuchau, Hankow, Nagasaki
n nhp nSnki Rrrlpnny
Cape Town, and several other
places, $1,000; while nincty-three other
places pay 50 900 to So 800. The fees that
were added before the order OF last Octo-
ber ran some of these high into thousands |
and in some cases far into the ten thousands |
In London the estimate is that the amount |
has been S25 900; Liverpool and Paris Sl5,-
900; elsewhere, 81 300 to 81 900 These |
1ues were what are known as official fees,
being mostly notarial charges for oaths to
Invoices on exports. |
Oath to these papers was required, and |
the consul hired a notary at a comparative
y low figure to do the work, while he col |
ected the fees, and was allo wed to retain |
Them. The new order forbds the consul to |
require the oath, unless there is good ground |
to suspect fraud, and when it is administer |
ed the fee no longer goes to the consul It |
is sent to the Treasury here
PAY FOR ODD JOBS.
The only perquisitcs now allowed consuls |
and consular agents are charges for the
of private business of Americans |
outside official time. Such matters as col |
lection of a debt, taking of depositions. |
writing will, preparing legal papers pro- |
curing information Of any kind, are sub |
ject to charge if the consul wishes, ind the |
money goes to his private purse.
The citizen is not required to employ the |
ic cti -,
port to the department the amount of such |
business done in each year.
Some odd things cometo a consul's hands. |
Frequently he is Obliged to do a great deal |