The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-23


sentatl0ns Of congressional delegations Tor
The character OF the nominees some allow
arce must bs made, II occasionally his Sc
lectior Is rot Of the best The only trouoie
that nas arisen has been where he has sp-
Toanted naturalized Americans 10 consul
afes ar the place where those citizens have
been born There was 3 good purpose in
this II was not unnaturaily supposed
TIA; a man familiar with the conditions IN
his own country and speaking its language,
supplemented by bis acquired knowledge
OF the conditions Of this country and the
necessities OF its consular service. would
make the most competent representative Of
this country abroad That rule loses none
Of It's virtue because sometimes an I'M
worthy selection IL made. President Cleve-
land made the same mistake several times
and brought discredit on this government,
and it Is to be regretted that President
Mckinley should have been similarly inn
posed upon.
The London correspondent OF the Chicago
Record tells very remarkable story about
the appointment Of one of the commission
ers from the United States to the EXPOSE
ton at Brussels. The same motive which
prompted the sending of nsturalized Amer
leans to foreign posts influenced the presi-
dent TO select This man. 1t seems now that
he Is an ex-convict, and that he has not
been and will not be recognized by the au-
thoritles OF the exposition or by any govern
ment The American exhibitors intended
10 celebrate the Fourth OF July in a proper
manner. but when they found that nobody
connected with the exposition would attend
their function. because they would be COM
PEELED to meet him. it had TO be aban-
doned. OF course, the representatives OF the
other countries sympathize with the Bel
gians and govern their conduct according
iy; therefore. when Henri Bertrand, one Of
the commissioners from the United States,
is expected 10 be present. everybody else
stays away. This is another case of sending
back a naturallzed citizen. Prof" Ber-
trand was born in Belgium. and spent the
greater part OF hts life at Charlevoix.
where. the correspondent says. his parents
and other relatives still reside. He was
several times accused and once convicted
OF felony. The correspondent states that
the exact circumstances or dates cannot be
learned by him. but they can be furnished
to the secretary Of state or the president by
Mr.. Ewing, OF Bloomington, cur late min
ister; Mr. Storeri our present minister. or
Mr.. Roosevelt, our consul at Brussels.
After serving a term In the peniten-
tiary at Brussels. Prof" Bertrand emf
grated 10 the United States and settled in
Philadelphia with sort of ticket Of leave
from the Belgian government, which for
babe him 10 return TO that country. Ney-
ertheiess. through the influence of Senator
Quay and Senator Penrose, who were
probably unfamiliar with his early his
tory, President Mckinley was imposed
uIon and appointed him a commissioner
on the part of the United States to the
exposition now In progress at Brussels.
Bertrand says that he sought the ap-
pointment in order to restore his reputa-
ton at home, and to show the people Of
his native country that. although he had
been convict. he had reformed and had
become a person OF importance in the
United States. That. of course, is an hon
orable aspiration II # did not involve the
credit OF our government He does not
deny his identity. 1t would be impossible
for him 90 do so. and at his first interview
with the director general OF the exposi-
ton, when questioned as to his anteced-
ents. he promised TO resign his post and
return quietly to Philadelphia If he re-
oeved the assurances that he would not
be exposed. These assurances were given.
and II was supposed that Bernard would
carry out his own proposition. but for
some reason he has declined to DO 50. and
he stul remains in Brussels. evidently en-
Toying an uuenvlable notoriety
lie bears a commission declaring that
because OF respect and confidence le-
posed Ia his Integrity ana ability he has
been appointed to represent the United
States government as commissioner at
TIE Brussels exposition. II is signed by
William Mckinley. president Neverthe-
less. the Brussels authorities decline 10
receive him or communicate with him.
| They refuse TO give hlm a pass 20 the ex-
position and have forbidden him TO enter
the grounds They have erased his name
| from al the catalogues, and although he
/ has the audacity TO buy a ticket and en-
| ter tia American section. none Of his coll
| lesg1tes from other countries VIII speak
| 20 him or recognize him In any way.
/ AL this naturally makes II exceedingly
| dis8greeable for the American exhibitors.
! Who. TIRE correspondent states. have con1-
planned 90 tho president at Washington.
The Belgian officials have shown great
I aeal OF forbearauce toward PROF. Bert
/ rand. Under their laws he should 20
/ rut In prison. or at least expelled from
/ the country. bat they 60 not wish 20 Offer
/ any cause of onense- Tuey simply treat
| the commissioner 81 she United States as
/ 4 be had no existeacA The other Amsri-
/ car commissioner. Prof 0cre. Of Co3uul-
! IA unsverslty. IS highly respected. hss TIE
/ cal confidence q the evhIh tors and the
/ officials and they endeavor - treat hsa
! With unusual courtesy in or5sr 20 relieve
! hlrn u a very annoying embarrassment
| CURRENCY REFORM
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