The Holly chieftain., 1899-10-06
a c. HARRIS.

Austria-HunEary Hungary was con
Quered long ago. and for more than two
generations It vas treated as a slave
country. Up to within twenty years
ago it had no standing nor representa-
tion in the court Of Austria. and was
given less than half the amount Of
rights and privileges now granted Ire
land by the government Of Great
Britain. But the new emperor fan
Cted Hungary. and gradually extended
privileges to her He gave her more
representatives and allowed her to
send ENJOYS to his court. He lightened
the taxes OF the HungarIans and gave
them almost equal advantages with
those enjoyed by the Austrians. But
few were prepared for his latest move,
which is the declaration that Austria
and Hungary shall enjoy equal rights;
that Vienna and Buda-Pesth shall be
joint capitals of the Austrian empire,
and that the emperor shall maintain
court in both cities During six
months OF the year the court shall be
held in Austria; during the other six
months the court Will assemble in
Hungary, At first glance this would
seem little to concern the American
minister to Austria-Hungary. but when
you learn that Minister Harris must
support legation in both cities, then
you get an idea OF the expense entailed
by the change. The United States has
great number Of secretaries and un-
der-otiicers abroad connected with each
legation, and the expense Of hiring
these comes largely upon the minister,
who must provide certain clerks him
self. Up to this time the court OF Aus
tria has been such an elaborate one
that 1t has taxed the resources of the
Even Bartlett Tripp. one OF the richest
men in the United States. felt the bur
den of Austrian entertainment, and
Colonel Fred Grant openly declared
himself unable to keep the pace Of
dignifed tenure OF the post.
II the minister to Austria Hungary
IS raised to the rank of ambassador,
his salary will probably be raised also;
so that he will receive s12, 900 instead
OF the $4,000 which he now enjoys.
Possibly he may be given $4,000, like
and Great Britain. but it is more than
likely that he will receive the $4,000
accorded to ambassador Draper in
Italy. The sum OF $4,000 a year in
Vienna is more than $4,000 a year
would be in England, for the Germans
are more economical and labor is rated
lower; but, even so, $4,000 no more
than pays the house rent and the serv-
ants hire OF a mansion, let alone the
cost OF the dinners and the enormous
personal expenses, such as carriage
hire, decorations and clothing, which
are at least $4,000 more. Then there
is a great sum required for the neces-
sary courtesy giving" as they call It
in Hungary; for the gifts and the thou
sand and one small things which are
absolutely required from person who
leads society and represents his coun-
try abroad.
1t is all very well for Hungary. and
not bad for Austria; but how is 1t for
Minister Addison C. Harris of Indiana,
who is compelled to maintain two mag
nihcent legations in the finest Of style
all upon 4 paltry 10000?
Some day the people OF the United
States will elect congress that will
summarily cut of all kinds Of am
bassadors and ministers and will hire
plain. everyday diplomatic agents to
transact necessary business