The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-21

The new consul must submit TO an exam
ination to ascertain his fitness for the
why. 1 never heard of that before,
gasps the astonished visitor. What is the
examination like p
Then Mr.. Chiffon tells the embryo dip
lomat it isn't Mr.. McKinleys fault.
Grover Cleveland is responsible for the
whole business. He wasn't satisfied with
issuing an order cutting 'Of all the profita-
bic fees This was done a month before the
last presidential election, after the Demo-
Gratis who were holding office abroad had
reaped g rich harvest OF nearly four years
in the way of ''piCkings" Mr. Cleveland
added another burden to the load which the
Republican aspirants for consular honOrs
is compelled to carry. BY an order issued
Sept. 20, 1885, he made it necessary for all
newly appointed cOnsuls to undergo an eX-
animation before receiving their commits
sions. The order was based upon Section
1853 of the Revised Statutes which author
ICES the President ito prescribe such regu-
lations etc. as may best promote the eff
ficiency, etc, for the branch of the serv-
ice into which he seeks 10 enter" and it
provides for board of three persons to ex-
anime such candidates as may be desig-
mated by the President for appointment
1t is not possible for every candidate to
compete for consular positions in these ex-
aminations. Applications and recommended
lions r,ust be presented to the President
the Same as before, but the person whom
the President selects among the various
candidates must submit to an examination
before he can receive his commission. This
applies to all consulates that pay from $1,000
to 81, 500.
After having given this information Mr..
Chiffon hands the would-be consul a large
book. almost the size of a dictionary Civ
ing information concerning the duties OF
consuls He tells the visitor to go home,
study the book and report one week later
for examination. The examination is a writ
ten one and is not by any means easy.
The first requisite is that the consul must
be able to speak and write the language
of the country to which he is sent. This
is considered absolutely essential for the
proper conduct of the business of his office.
The other subjects upon which the examin-
alton relates are as follows: General edu-
cation, knowledge OF languages, business
training and experience
The Country in which the CONSUL or
commercial agent is to reside, its. govern
ment, chief magistrate, geographical 1ea-
lures, principal cities, chief production and
its commercial intercourse and relations
with the United States.
The exequatur; its nature and use.
Functions of consul or commerclal
agent as compared with those OF a vice
consul or consular agent; relation of former
to latter; also, of the United States minister
or ambassador at the capital OF the coun-
try. go.
as regards: $780,.
ment and the form thereof.
Passports; granting and Ylslng.
United States merchant vessels IN foreign
port and their crews, whether seeking dis
charge, desertion or destitute -
Wrecks within the jurisdiction. Wrongs
to United States citizens within jurisdic-
ton.
Invoices.
Official fees and accounts.
Treaties between the United States and
the foreign country
Relations of ambassador and minister to
the laws of the country TO which they are
accredited as compared with those of con-
sui or commercial agent to those Oh the
countries where they reside
Acts of ambassador or minister; how far
binding upon this country.
Diplomatic judicial and commercial func-
lions of consuls or commercial agents.
Piracy; what it is and where punishable.
Consular regulations of the United states,
COPY of which Ito be returned to the de-
partment) will be supplied to each candt-
date upon application.
Such other subject or subjects as the
board may deem important and appropriate
in any particular case.
The examining board is. authorized to
issue such notices and make all rules as
they may deem necessary to accomplish
the objects of this regulation, and imme-
diately upon the conclusion of such eX-
animation will make a report to the score
tary of state in writing, stating whether in
their judgment the candidate is or is not
qualified for the particular position ap-
piled for and il the decision is adverse TO
the candidate also briefly summarizing the
grounds of such decision.
Thus far every man appointed TO con-
suship by President Mckinley has sue
ceeded in passing the examination This
fact speaks volumes in behalf of the in
telligence Of the average Republican office
seeker.