The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14

The Forum for February contains an ar
ticle by Assistant Secretary of State Rock
hill on Evils to be Remedied in Our Con-
sular Service which, if it could be sup
posed to represent the views of the coming
administration would justify hope of re-
form in branch of the public service
where it is much needed. The consular
service of the United States is really more
important than the diplomatic service. Our
ministers abroad have very little to do, but
our consuls. if they are fit for the position
and understand the language of the coun-
try to which they are sent, can always find
profitable occupation in protecting Amer
lean business interests, preventing frauds
on the revenue, opening up new avenues for
trade, etc. This should require the best ef-
forts of bright business men. trained to the
duty, and retained and promoted on account
of merit. but a matter of fact too many
of our cOnsus have very little business
training to begin with, and comparatively
few remain in the service long enough to
become efficient in the discharge of their
duties. Since 1877, when the first consul was
appointed. scarcely any attempt has been
made by legislation to improve the system
In 1856 Congress provided for corps of
consular pupils" not to exceed twenty-five
in number. from which it was intended that
consuls should be drawn, but the act was
repealed the next year. In 1864 law was
passed creating a corps Of consular clerks,
thirteen in number, to be appointed after
examination, and to be assigned to such
consulates and with such duties as the
President might direct No clerk so ap-
pointed was to be removed from office ex-
cept for cause stated in writing, and sub
mitted TO Congress. The theory of the law
was that these trained consular clerks
would eventually become consuls. Assistant
Secretary Rockhill says:
In the thirty-two years since the corps Of
consular clerks was created, and during
which sixty-four clerks have been appoint
ed 10 IL. only eight have been promoted 10
consulships, and of these one was refused
confirmation by the Senate, and another
lost his office on a change of administra-
ton. At the present time no consular clerk
will accept a consulate preferring TO re-
main with meager salary of Sl.2O1 year
Ito which. possibly. the consul under whom
he is serving may add portion of the un-
official fees collected by HIM rather than
take the chance of being dropped altogether
from the service within a year or so to
make room for another man. And We
now have men who have been consular
clerks at salary of 81. 30 for twenty years
and more. who refuse promotion. who OBJ
ject 10 frequent transfers 10 other posts
the very reasonable plea OF expenSe-in
whom all ambition To rise IS extinct, and
who seek only TO be undisturbed-a condi-
ton of things certainly never dreamt of by
the creators of the corps.
This shows that so far as improving the
efficiency of the consular service is con-
cerned the consular clerk system Is a fail
ure. No attempt in that direction can sue
coed until the standard Of admission to the
| service shall be elevated. the tenure of
office made more certain and the rule Of re-