The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-15

would find much to interest and enlighten
them. for the reports cover almost every
subject that is OF value to our government
and its people.
We are entering upon degree of activity
in world commerce such as we have never
course a matter Of the highest necessity that
our consular service should be in cOndl-
ion TO afford the greatest utility. Consuls
are messengers of commerce, and stand IN
SO many relations TO the government they
represent. TO the countries in which they
located and TO the people with whom
they come in contact that IL is doubtful III
any other position in our modern civiliza-
ton calls into service a greater versatility
a wider exercise of intellectual capacity.
In four and half years OF service 4 nave
found the duties of consul general are
varied and Onerous- They are particularly
so IN Montreal Canada Is not an lndepenG-
ent country. but colony of Great Britain.
and. therefore. cannot have minister ac-
credited TO her. The duties which would
deVOlve on a minister 10 discharge fall on
the consul general and are frequently OF
burdenSome character. In eXJradition cases
his time will generally be occupied In court
for week more, and for this he receives
no recompense whatever. Commissions
from courts all over the United States are
sent TO the consul general designating him
to take dispositions in cases pending The
attorneys promise to- pay promptly for the
service rendered, but frequently forget TO
do so, and the consul general finds that he
has not only given his time and labor for
nothing, but he is out of pocket the sum
paid a stenOgrapher and typewriter. Let
tiers of inquiry in regard to Canadian laws.
estates, deaths. marriages. births. trade,
tariff duties and on almost every conceiva-
BILE subject come to him. All must be ac-
knowleged, and to reply TO such inquiries
information must be gathered. IL is often
difficult to obtain, and many times is OBJ
tanned at considerable expense The only
recompense is thanks in advance"
A great many people from the United
States come to Montreal. Scores of them
call on the consul general for information.
Many come for help to get home or for a
nights lodging and something TO eat.
Some get into trouble, lodged in Jail,
and the first call is made on the consul
general to secure their release. There are
over 200 United States pensioners in Mon
treal They come to the consulate general
to have their vouchers certified to. Few of
them can fll out their papers, and the time
of the vice consul and messenger Is taken
for several days each quarter in getting
the vouchers into shape. This work must
be gratuitous.
to shippers about 5000 invoices in triplicate
of goods and products sent to the United
States. Many of the shippers do not know
how to make out their invoices, and it is
done for them without remuneration.
All wrongs to citizens of the United
States temporarily residing or visiting here
considerable amount of time, and often
some expense.
The above are only Incidental to the life
and work OF the consul general in Mon
treal. The duties prescribed for him in
the consular regulations are numerous and
multiform. They may be classified du-
ties commercial, duties in connection with
customs, duties to merchant vessels duties
in case of wrecks, duties to seamen, duties
to officers, naval, diplomatic and depart
meQtal, and duties in regard to immigra-
ton and quarantine.
Much time and labor and considerable
expense are required TO obtain information
and statistics for the reports called for by
the State Department on conditions of for
eign commerce in this country, internal
trade, manufactures mechanical industries,
agriculture. banks. revenue and expendi-
ture of the country, railroads in course
of construction. municipal affairs, ETC.
Before entering upon my duties consul
general l carefully studied the consular
regulations There you are directed Just
what to do in transacting business, how TO
keep the accounts and records of the con-
Sulate, and what reports are required But
/ soon learned there were many things to
do not mentioned in the regulations. A
man to be qualified for consular position
at an important post must possess powers
of observation, ready perception, vigilance,
dignity and integrity of character so that
he will command the respect and conf
dence of the people among whom he re-
Sides
A mere civil-service examination by no
means shows that a man is fit for the con-
sular service. The essential qualities for
the service are practical common sense.
tact and a courteous disposition TO aid and
accommodate those with whom he has
business relations. He must be at all times
a gentleman, and know how TO appear and
conduct himself at public and social func-
lions.
The great drawback to the consular
service of the United States is the fact
that it is underpaid. The salaries are much
lower than those given consuls of other
leading nations. When a prominent State
Department official visited the Montreal
consulate general last summer and noted
the amount of business transacted. he said
at once the salary here should not be less
than $1,000. He had previously learned the
cost of living here, and how the United
States consul general was called upon for
contributions to hospitals, converts
churches and charitable associations gen
orally, and was convinced that the expense
could not be met with the present salary
Many people say fiippantly they can read
lily live on a saalry of $4,000 a year No
doubt they can at home. In many consular
positions that salary would be sufficient
but in places like Montreal a consul gen
eral must live on a scale becoming his po-
sition bring himself and his country into
contempt BY living respectfully and re-
turning the hospitaities extended he gains
influence and prestige in the community
which inures to the advantage of his coun-
try in many ways.
proper reimbursement of consular SAL
aries can only be made by men who have
practical experience in the service