Evening star., 1901-10-11
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
HISTORY COMPILED BY CHIEF
CLERK MICHAEL.
OF Thirty-Ffve Persons Appointed
Need of an Increased Force.

Col. VIM. H. Michael chief clerk of the
Department of State, has prepared a brief
but comprehensive history of the Depart
ment of State, which contains many inter-
esting facts regarding that department not
generally known. He says that the de-
partment proper has working force of
ninety-nine persons. This includes the So
licitor, officer of the Department of
Justice, detailed for duty in the Depart
ment of State.
There have been thirty-seven Secretaries
of State, two of whom, Daniel Webster
and James G. Blaine served under
two different administrations, thus max
ing thirty-five men who have actual
ly occupied the place regularly
commissioned secretaries. There have
been seventeen ad interim secretaries.
two of whom, William Hunter, chief clerk.
and Mr.. William F. Wharton. assistant sec
retary, occupied the place under different
administrations. OF the thirty-five secreta-
ries but four are living at this time, los
ter, Olney, Day and Hay. OF those ap-
pointed ad interim secretary, two were Sec
retaries of War, five Attorney Generals, six
chief clerks, one Secretary of the Navy,
three assistant secretaries and one second
assistant secretary. Two ad interim secre-
tarieS, Timothy Pickering and ABEL p. tp-
shur, were subsequently elevated TO the po-
sition of secretary. number of secreta-
ries were continued for longer or shorter
periods from one administration to another
in order to meet the convenience of the
incoming administration.
There have been twenty-five assist
ant secretaries, one of whom, William
Hunter, was twice commissioned and
served under two different administration
There have been two second assistant
secretaries since that office was created.
July 27, 1s66-Mr. Hunter and Mr.. Adee,
W ar ryyndo ird OF ant
secretaries.
There have been ten third assistant sec
retaries since that Office was established,
February "a, 1875.
There have been twenty-six chief clerks,
one of whom was twice appointed, six
served as ad interim secretaries, one was
promoted to third assistant and three to be
assistant secretaries
The present diplomatic service is COM
posed of 103 persons, of whom six are am
bassadors, thirty ENJOYS extraordinary
and ministers plenipotentiary, four minis
ters resident and one charge d'affaires.
The present consular service is composed
of thirty-nine consulates general, 255 con-
sulates and twenty-three commercial agen-
cies, employing about 1, 100 persons, making
a total in the diplomatic and consular SER
vice of about 1900 persons. The super
vision and direction of this force devolves
upon the Department of State, and the nee
essary correspondence by mail and cable
with such an army, engaged in safeguard
ing and advancing American interests
abroad, naturally entails burdensome work
on a departmental force of ninety-nine
people.
''The work of the department" says Col
onel Michael, has been increased over so
per cent in the last ten years without any
essential increase in it's working force.
Both the force and available worring space
in the department will have to be increased
very considerably within short time in
der to meet the absolute necessities of the
service. The work of the department has
grown apace with the development Of the
country, and this fact should prompt liberal
appropriations for the use of the Secretary
of State in carrying on the important work
committed to him. The business Of the de-
partment has attained such magnitude and
is growing so rapidly that it will be neces-
sary for Congress to provide a new and
larger building within few years to meet
the requirement of efficient and economic
service. In fact, it may be stated that at
the present time the department is greatly
embarrassed for want Of room"