New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-14
CHANGES IN OUR CONSULAR SYSTEM
THE NEED OF THE ADOPTION BY CONGRESS OF
IAfPRONEMENTS

THE NEED OF THE ADOPTION BY CONGRESS OF
IMPROVEMENTS.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: II Is gratifying to note the disposition on the
part Of Chambers Of Commerce. Boards OF Trade
and other organizations TO encourage the adoption
by Congress Of an improved consular system.
Improvement is greatly needed both in the caliore
and character OF its personnel. and In the system
which now permits the appointment OF local for
eigners who are willing 10 act as vice-consuls or
consular agents without salaries. trusting 10 their
opportunities for personal advantage, and permits
them to absorb certain portion OF the fees col
lected.
House bill No: 1924 explained by Report NO. l.i6o,
and now pending In the lower House. promises. II
adoptcd a great advance in the right direction IL
REQUIRES that all fees whether official or unofficial.
shall be handed over 20 the Treasury of the United
States but It ndemnihes the ofcial by an increase
OF salary makes possible promotion TO higher grades
facilitates transfers from port 10 another or
similar grade within the discretion OF the Depart
nent OF State and. better than ALL 1t holds out
reasonable expectation Of a career TO ambitious
and capable by insuring more permanent
tenure in office.
That the adoption of these reforms will be OF
great service TO the Nation as we'll as to the off,
cial cannot be doubted by any American who has
travelled extensively in Christendom. and more
especially In non-Christian countries where extra
terrioriay adds greatly to the consuls duties ana
RESPONSIBILITIES Jurisdiction In admiralty. civil
and criminal law, marriage and divorce PROBATION
Of Wills with the addition OF diplomatic duties
growing out OF captula tons and treaties with Ma
hometan Chinese and other fluid ard transitional
governments require high qualities besides oiscre
tion tact and good judgment on the part OF the
consular officers. This great need VIII dououess
q met by the proposed classification OF onicials
into grades the training acquired by the twenty
Eve consular clerks and the examinations pre-
requisite TO entrance and promotion In the service
under the direction OF board or examiners OF hVe
members who are 10 be the Civil Service COM
rnissioners and two officials OF the Department OF
State.
This bill also gives promise Of the wedding out OF
incompetents Section provides that two-thrds
If the present ncumbents shall be gradually re-
called for examination within three years from the
adoption OF the proposed act Those having the
requisite age. twenty-one 70 NIFTY. may ne redu-
nitted 70 the same grade OF the service they heIo
on passing the required examination or SUCH lower
grade as they may qualify for. and persons who
have heen previously employed In the consular SER
vice NAV be admitted up 70 the age Of sxty-hve
years.
Section provides that promotion to the grace
OF consul Of the first class. with salary OF siVOo
| shall require passing an examination IN al least
| one foreign language
| candidates who successfully pass the required
| examination shall be eligible for appointment IN
the lowest grade. except provided in Section Z.
Tho proposed changes are more important sim
| IN view OF the rapid changes now going on IN ths
! man OF the Eastern nations and colonies. ana OF
the political vcissitudes Of Islands ana depehuer-
cies OF distant governments And last. tn0uga
| n our merchant marine should have que consul,
| Grafton Our exports have been largely increased
owing the activity OF some OF our d h,ht
cas and better men In some places Woa 10 ces
less secure still better results ConSuIs are nece
sariy the arbiters of the fate OF American seamen
| in foreign ports, and II we would raise up as we
| must large and capable body Of American sea
| men we must provide for their protection "heh
| destitute and deserted In foreign lands ,,,
! a bill which offers many improvements snou5
rot be severely criticised and It's adopon s"o 49,,
| moi he ENDANGERED by too many amendments Dul
| there are two other improvements which shoulo
be adopted before we can claim ana recek s e., ne
host efforts of our consular officials tnroughout
| nuired to pass an examination in one foreign IAN
| G-Iaee ar least as a prerequisite 10 promolon OF
fo'continuance in Office after two years or service
and provision should be made lot unr'i atv
| unon such a pension will prevent a oSolute
| dfsfitution of retired officials. Disquaiihed nS
long service abroad. under climatic ana otner Gon.
ditons from earning liveilhood al n1iiEf nav re-
| ,irenoent fund 10 look forward to- as IN the case
| M ARMY and Navy officials. -, III, ao,,h,
| And as the receipts from official fees VIII uouoe
oes =. ADEQUATE as heretofore for the current cos
20 III consular system. may well oelieVe tna'
The turning in OF all unofficial fees 70 me IredsuS
n,iI ena HE the Government TO pension US asep SCI
y" whole hese reforms when adopted WI,
place our consular system on pass ,bsr mo Govern
Compare favorably with those OF 9tner sor ndn,
ments and be creditabe 70 the Cni'ea ,wsntistt
wy III, III To secure their adoption every American
having the true interests OF his country az
should urge Affirmative action upon n ms I6ttttxs0V
sivss IN Congress J. AUGUSTUS JoHNSON'