Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-19
+. OUR C0NSULs
Prove Themselves to Be En-
ergetic and Faithful Men.
A Very Favorable Report Made by
= Asst. Sec. Of State PIERCE
After Tour Of Inspection Through
European Countries.

Washington, Nov. 18.-Having re-
turned to the United States from tour
OF inspection of the consuls and con-
sulates of the United States In Eng
land, Holland, Belgium, France and
Germany. Third Assistant Secretary Of
State Pierce has submitted a report
to the secretary.
He says that our consulateS in Eu-
rope are on the whole in excellent con-
dition and that the service compares
favorably with that of any other coun-
try. The system of remuneration of
consuls he found to be unequally dis
tributed. but on the whole he finds that
our consuls are inadequately compen-
stated. The fee system of compensation
he regards as an unfortunate feature.
introducing an element of uncertainty
into the consuls' remuneration which Is
embarrassing and disquieting TO him
in the performance of his duties.
However remote may be the temp
tatfon to abuse the privileges under
which Il consul retains for himself GER
tain fees" says Peirce, still the exist
cnce of such possibility cannot be
beneficial to the morals of the service"
He says there Is no little strife
among neighboring consuls for the in
clusion of territory into their respective
districts, in order to secure notorial
fees. the result being that in place of
harmony and esprit de corps and the
salutatOry exchange of views between
consuls which should exist be found
the consuls not only out Of harmony
but hardly having relations with one
another. This he says acts prejudici-
ally to the interests of persons for
whose benefit the cOnsuls have been
given notorial authority.
In the settlement of estates and 9TH
or legal business, Mr.. Pierce says the
temptation exists and not infrequently
is yielded to. for the consul to supply or
recommend legal counsel, receiving 8
division Of the fees and thus placing
an additional tax on the client.
He therefore recommends the aboli-
ton of all compensation to the conSu
by fees. of whatever sort or nature, thai
all fees be covered into the treasury an(
that adequate salaries be paid consuls
Mr. Pierce regards as unfortunate tho
appointment of naturalized American
citizens to the country Of their origin
III IL COiiSuidI tdPtNieS, ilol thiCiiC il'i.
the point of view of the government tt
whom they are accredited. which sell
dom regards such appointments witt
satisfaction, but from the point of view
Of efficiency. The employment of for
eign clerks to consuls he regards as un
wise, as it is highly probable that sucf
Il clerk owing allegiance to anothe
government and recognizing none t.
our own. other than that of taskmas
ter, would find the temptation to revea
matters which might be of the highes
Importance strong one If inducement!
were offered him.
He suggests that at the rate OF $1OGt
and in some instances somewhat more
we could fill all these positions witt
bright young American citizens II they
were encourag ed to feel that tn'y IN q
a reasonable prospect Cf frcrnii''i &c
the position of consul. M. Pcir,c thinks
that a considerable class Of Americans
look upon the consul as having beer
sent to his post to serve their conven-
ience and obey their behests. While
he found consuls ready and willing tC
oblige American tourists often at great
Inconvenience to themselves. yet he
on the consul have been most unreason-
able and not always cOurteously pre-
Sented.
The duty of consuls in dealing with
immigration he declares arduous and
involving exposure to contagious and
infectious disease. AS the consuls nc
longer sign the emisrant passenger
manifests it is possible for rejected
cmigraiits to be taken on board n ship
after the consul has given the ship a
clean bill of health.
He says that when the cost OF bring
ing tmigrants to the United States IS
considered steamship companies can
well afford to take the risk of rejection
Of emigrants by the authorities on ar
rival in this country.
He concludes by remarking that the
conditions in Germany with regard to
emigration afford better protection to
the United States from the importation
of immigrants than do those of Russia
Poland and Oriental countries.