The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-11
Consul with Nerve.


United States consul at Smyrna, having
been appointed by President Cleveland,
! and since his sojourn In that portion OF
the Turkish empire has been making a
record for himself that Is somewhat un-
usual and altogether praiseworthy in one
respect, Judging from the reports made
by American citizens visiting Smyrna
and naval officers who have witnessed
hts displays of backbone and independ-
ence, which have been a terror to the
Turkish officials, Mr.. Madden Is a rare
consul indeed.
A Washington report says that the
consul has no knowledge OF the Turkish
language, but has complete control Of
choice and lurid Illinois English, which,
while 1t wouldn't sound well in polite So
ciety, has served to win him the respect
of the Turks. with whom he has had
some exciting wordy encounters, always
ending with victory for Mr.. Madden
and the American flag.
The state department Ia In receipt Of
reports OF two of the most recent Incl
dents The first is from appreclative
missionaries who succeeded, through his
efforts, In getting some clothing shipped
to suffering Armenians after Turkish
officials had refused them. The goods
had been hurriedly packed in boxes
without any account being taken Of
them, as the cases were urgent. The
Turkish officers refused to pass them
without detailed description of the con-
tents of the boxes The missionaries APP
pealed to Madden, who went to the wharf,
and after hurting several volleys Of his
most select western swear words at the
defiant Turks which shocked the mis-
sionarles and made them wonder II the
consulate wasn't in need Of some of their
religious efforts, he ordered the officials
to ship the boxes without any question
Ing; They obeyed with alacrity. They
didn't understand the oaths, but they
knew an enraged representative of the
United States government was talking
and that was sufficient,
on another occasion an American citi-
zen was placed in Jail on some petty
charge and appealed to the consul Mad
den went to the local officials, and after
firing broadside of Illinois blue light
ming at them gave them two days in
which to give the American a trial or re-
lease him, notifying them, that II It was
not done he would perform the job him
self The two days passed and the prs-
oner was still IN Jail. Then Madden went
to the jail accompanied by a muscular
individual armed with a sledge, broke
down the door of the cell and released the
American. He then turned upon the jail
officials, belched forth volley of those
mysterious terms which they did not I'M
derstand but believed TO be expressions
which indicated that the consul meant
every word no uttered, and left for his
residence. Nothing was done about the
matter and the American departed in
peace.
Madden, barring his profanity. al
though It Is effective profanity, Is made
Of the right sort OF stun. With him to
think is to act, and SO popular has he
made himself with Americans and naval
officers in Smyrna that they are petition
ing to the President not to remove him,
although he is a Democrat, A few such
consular representatives as Madden
scattered about over the world would in
sure protection to Americans every
where. In Turkey, where such nerve Is
needed, few more Maddcns would be a
good thing, and II Illinois has any more
of them, President Mckinley might to
well to hunt them UP.