The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-12

also make able and efficient consuls, but
that qualification for the consular service
and Willingness to perform the duties 1t re-
Aures should be always the chief grounds
upon which consular appointments are
made.
The invaluable services of consuls, who,
through a. series of careful performance of
their duties and studies of the manufac-
lures, products trade conditions and needs
of their consular districts, was well illus
trated in the wonderfully full and elaborate
reports made to the government by the
so many years United States consul TO Ly-
ons France, prior to Mr.. Clevelands first.
administration, and also by Messrs. Shaw
and Hayes, consuls at two of the great mar
ufacturing centers of England. Lyons is
the great seat of the silk industry, and in
this industry in all its forms and minutiae.
Mr.. Piexotto became an expert through
years of attention to the real business for
which he was appointed. He knew how TO
tell what he learned and his reports were
OF untold interest and value to every con-
sumner of silk in the United states, as Wei
as TO all who were engaged or thought or
engaging in it's production. II follows from
all this that business qualifications and
willingness to come down to business meth
DDS are the things needed; TO make the ac-
quaintance OF the producers, consumers,
business men, artisans and labOrers of mis-
consular district to the end that he may
the United States from frauds on the part
of foreign shippers; second, how to put
American dealers in possession of facts that
will save them from impositions practiced
or sought to be practiced upon them, and,
third TO discover what American products
may be profitably introduced there. together
with the methods of Introduction, packinS,
grades of goods, etc, that will be most Ike
ly to bring good returns to our exporters.
To enable consulS to answer these require
ments the salaries of many should be IN
creased; in other cases the rigid exclusion
of salaried consuls from doing business on
their private accounts might be prontaDly
removed or modified, but, above all, the
consular Office should be made strictly
business position, except in those rare siti'-
atoms where the consul may be called on
to perform semi-diplomatic duties or other
wise represent the government outside or
should be held to give the office his per-
sonal attention, his promotion or retention
depending upon his efficiency. The late
Col. John A. Bridgeland, OF this state, Wnlle
consul at Havre, France, rendered the
country some excellent service along the
lines Indicated above in the introduction Of
American corn and other food products, es-
pecially American hams He did this IN
simple direct business way by inducing
liVerymen and other large users OF foods
for animals TO accept and try small con-
sgnments OF corn from the United states
In like manner dealers in provisions Wefs
induced TO try small lots OF hams, bacon
and lard from this country. IL is IN this
initiation OF demand for American PROT
ucts that the consul can be OF most service
service examination with flying colors ana
be utterly worthless as a consul, while an
other whose per cent. or answered queS-
tons might be very low would prove him.
self invaluable 10 American producers AMI
merchants through his industry and skill ia
and imparting needed information relative
to foreign goods and foreign methods
New Castle. Ind Sept. 10