Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-29
CONSULAR AGENTS. SALARIES
Sharp Debate in Senate Over Governments
Parsimonious Policy.
BILL IS PASSED CARRYING 81, 500, 900
Bacon lie Will Not Push
Philippine Resolution to the Point
Of Delaying senate Business
It's Hearing on Treaty.

WASHINGTON, Jan. ga spirited de-
bate was precipitated in the senate today
while the diplomatic and consular appro-
priation bill was under consideration. The
appropriations committee was sharply criti-
cised for not providing adequate salaries
for some Of the consular officers and secre-
taries Of legations of this government in
foreign countries and the parslmony Of the
government in this respect was denounced
as a disgrace. Mr.. Hale OF Maine was in
charge of the bill and despite his protests
several amendments were incorporated in
the measure. The bill was passed. carrying
nearly $500. 900.
A concurrent resolution adopted by the
New Hampshire legislature urging the
speedy ratification OF the treaty OF Paris
was presented by Mr.. Gallinger Of New
Hampshire.
A resolution calling upon the secretary OF
the treasury for information concerning the
Investigation Of the Bureau OF Printing and
Engraving was adopted.
A bill granting a right OF way to the Da-
kota Southern Railway company for the con-
struction Of a railway line through the
Yankton Indian lands in South Dakota was
passed.
A resolution was adopted directing the
secretary Of war to make a survey and esti-
mate for the improvement Of the Brazos
river in Texas.
A resolution was adopted at the instance
OF Mr.. Gallinger calling upon the secretary
Of state to procure from the United States
representative abroad the annual amounts
paid by the foreign governments for pen
sions. not civil.
The house bill for adjusting the clothing
n-,,r -
Diplomatic Bill Called Up.
Mr.. Hale of Maine called up the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill. Mr.. Bacon
OF Georgia objected. as he had given notice
that he proposed at this hour to call up his
resolution regarding the Philippines and en-
deavor to fix a time for a vote upon it.
Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire-Does the
senator desire to dispose of his resolution
today?
Mr.. Bacon-Not If senators object.
He went on to say that his resolution was
essentially a practical document and not in
troduced for the purpose of interfering with
any other business. 1T will place the
treaty Of peace said he, where we can
reach a basis Of agreement. If the resolu-
tions were a law they would entirely dissi-
pate the danger Of war we are now in. 1t is
o'e'N ihNNNN't N''s anu L
hope the subject will be so regarded by the
senate"
Mr.. Bacon yielded to the appropriation bill.
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas then asked that
the senate take a recess from 2 o'clock to
$3.50 In order to enable senators to attend
the funeral Of ex-senator Garland, who died
suddenly in the supreme court on Thursday.
In this connection Mr.. Hoar of Massachu-
sets paid a high tribute to Mr.. Garland's
ability and character as a citizen, lawyer
and senator. The recess was ordered.
The consular and diplomatic bill was then
read. 1t appropriates 81, no, 500, IS, 900 more
than the amount carried by the measure as
passed by the house.
Mr.. Gallinger desired again. he said, to
call attention to the starvation wages
paid to the United States consular repre-
sentitives abroad.
Mr.. Hale, In speaking Of the bill, ex-
planned that the appropriation committee had
not considered the compensation of consul
late officers and suggested that the com
mittee on foreign relations take up the ques-
ton and make some recommendation.
Have you ever known inquired Mr..
Cockrell Of Missouri, ANY applicant for con-
sularships to object to the salary before
taking ofice?'
II have never known replied Mr.. Hale,
'Of euch a case, nor nave l known any reSig-
nations from the consular service because
the salary was inadequate"
Replying to Mr.. Hale, Mr.. Cockrell said
that his question was not in any sense an
argument.
Senators" said Mr.. Gallinger, receive
5000 a year. Many others would take the
position for half that sum. Some men in
Montana and other states. judging from ac-
counts in the newspapers, are willing to
pay a bonus for a seat in this body, but
that is no reason why senators should not
receive decent salaries; nor is 1t a reason
why some Of the young men abroad should
not be paid proper salaries. Some OF these
salaries are meanly inadequate. Our con-
sular service 10 verging in this respect upon
what ! deem 'disgraceful.'"
Mr.. Morgan OF Alabama offered an amend
ment from the committee on foreign rela-
lions increasing the salaries OF the secre-
taries Of legations in the Argentine Repub-
lie. Venezuela. Peru. Liberia and Korea
from 1900 to 81. 500. Mr.. Morgan spoke at
length on his amendment. He said our con-
sular service in South America. particularly,
was being degraded and cut down. The po-
e.tions were taken by men who, either them
selves or the members of their families, had
money TO support their social elegance
one OF the features of ofice-holiing in those
countries. He sharply criticised the United
States government for its parsimonious pol
Is 1T CURABLEP