The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-26
Extended Debate on the Con-
sular Service.
CRITICISM OF THE SYSTEM
General GrOsvenOr Declares Service
to he in All Respects Best in World
MR.. Clark. of Committee. Asks for
Substitute Plan.

The House yesterday passed the diplo-
matte and consular appropriation bill.
while the measure was under general
debate Mr.. Green Dem. Pal took &C.
casion to criticise the consular service
system, as bringing into the service men
who were not qualified to represent the
United States abroad, nor to secure mar
kets for our business men.
Increase Salaries Materially.
To question by Mr.. Clark dem. MOI
he said he would increase the salaries of
$500 to $4,000. or $4,000. and thus secure
capable men. whose services would be of
benefit to the Government and to the peo-
pie. And to some extent he would put the
service under the civil service law.
General Grosvenor (Rep.. Ohio, reply
ms TO 1.-THE annual criticism of the con-
sular service" said he would repeat what
he said before, that the consular service
OF the United States, in all respects, was
far and away the best in the world. Zap
plause.l He quoted General Porter. AM
bassador to France, who had said to him
that all the diplomatic representatives at
Paris frankly admitted to him (Porter)
that the system of the United States was
superior.
An Efficient Body.
He asserted. and challenged contradict
tion, that the Consuls of the United
States were a body of educated. capable
men. and contemplation of them should
bring the blush of shame to the cheek OF
those denouncing the institutions of their
country.
AS to the matter of long service, Mr..
Grosvenor said no nation kept it's con-
suls in Office for long terms. and at the
salaries paid it was not possible to so
keep them in Office.
Messrs. Gaines tDem.. TENN and Fos-
ter Dem, lid followed, denouncing the
existing consular service.
Committee Seeking Light.
Mr.. Clark Oem.. MOI asked for prac-
teal substitute for the system or a prac-
teal method of improving it. The Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs. Mr.. Clark said.
had wrestled with the subject and were
seeking light Inveighing against existing
Mr. Foster suggested the establishment
of a school for the education and develop
nent of consuls. similar to the army and
navy schools.
Mr. Newlands Dem, New closed gen.
aral debate In a speech defending his
resolutions providing for the annexation
Of Cuba from the criticism that they were
4 species of blackmail and violated the
spirit. II not the substance OF the declara-
lion upon which the United States went
10 war with Spain. He declared they
1reathed only the spirit of fellowship and
Defence of the Committee.
Discussing the measure under the five
minute rule, Mr.. Clark Dem. MOI
made a characteristic and vigorous
speech defending the Committee on For
ign Affairs. during which he took oc-
,asion to declare that the greatest ca
amity which had befallen the human
ace since the fall of Adam was the Sec
md election of Grover Cleveland. The
'emark was greeted with laughter and
applause.
Speaking of the statement that had
been made that the consular officers of
he Government were not properly paid.
Mr.. Clark declared that il they were not
satisfied with the pay they received there
we're plenty OF men ready and willing to
ill their places and perform their duties
equally we'll. He would say that If every
official OF the Government. from the Pres
dent down to janitors. should die. that
heir places could all be filled inside of a
month by men equally competent and
without any trouble.
Prediction Verified.
..r .,,. 60 COW, axoIaiued Mr. Clark
that | agree with the expression of Sem
ator Bailey when he was a member Of
this House. And incidentally I'll state
that 1 made the prediction when he went
to the Senate that within two years he
would prove himself to be the greatest
iebater in that body. and he demonstrated
that fact and fulfilled my prediction in
he Senate yesterday.
Mr.. Bailey said that he did not want
o see the time come when men would
aspire to office merely for the sake OF the
salary attached to it. Why. there are
fifty men in this House who are as fit
o be members of the Supreme Court Of
he United States as any man who sits
ipon that bench. Yet they do not draw
Is large salaries"
ConsuIs Not Drummers.
Continuing Mr.. Clark said it was not
he business of the consuls TO be drum
ners, and it would be a sorry day for the
Government when they should become
such II corporations wanted their BUSH
less pushed in foreign countries let them
send out their own drummers the same
Is they do at home.
He declared that the committee was
eady and willing to receive any sugges-
ion which members OF the House might
make to improve the efficiency of the
onsular service. and that such sugges-
ions would be given consideration and
ttention-
Mr.. Dinsmore Dem.. Ark. the rank
NJ minority member of the committee.
lso paid Il glowing tribute to the etficien-
Y and personnel OF the consular service.
hitting with Mr.. Grosvenor and Mr.. Clark
n declaring it to be the equal. if not the
uperior. OF any in the world.
The bill passed without division
The nosition of Minister Resident and
CONSUL General to Korea was raised to
hat of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
a new consulate was established at Riga.
russia. at a salary of $3.50. the smallest
alaried consulate ever made.
Mr.. Douglass (Rep., n. ". who has
erved as Consul at Sydney. New South
Wales, made Intellectual efforts to increase
he salary of that Office, and of the Con-
ul General at Cape Town. He said It
vas a disgrace for the United States to
sk its officials to go to those places for
he salaries provided.
Mr.. Hin concurred in this view. but
lnder the construction of the committee
.eportiug the bill he had to keep out tho
The bill. with the slight amendments
made IN committee. was reported TO the