Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-04-10
Penny wise Diplomacy

dpPIOPl ldtlOuS, We dIC tkcdtlu&
our diplomatic representatives ii
so niggardly a fashion that none
but rich men apply, and the conn
try is deprived Of the services Of
men of real ability, who cannot
afford the financial sacrifice en-
tailed in the acceptance of foreign
posts, the maintenance of most
'of which exceeds the salary.
There is, of course, no reason
why this Democratic country
should emulate the ostentation of
monarchica1 governments, and
yet the rental of homes for our
Ambassadors, and the cost of en-
tertaining foreign dignitaries on
a BETTING scale makes it itnpera-
tive if we are to secure the
right type of man, that4i1 some
way, either by the ownership of
our. own buildings abroad, or the
increase of salary we will not
find ourselves limited to choice
from. the millionaire class.
This is no new condition.
Thomas Jefferson writing to John
Adams, owes century ago, said:
II must. say word on my own affairs
because they are likely to be distressed
All thesministers who came to Europe
before me, came at time when all
expenses were paid, and sum allowed
in addition for their time. Ofcourse
they all had their ontfit. Afterwards
they were put on fixed salaries; but
still these were liberal Congress in
the moment of my appointment struck
off five hundred guineas of the salary,
and made no other provision for the
outfit. but allowing me to call for two
quarters, salary in advance, The out
fit has cost me nearly a Thousand
guineas: for which ! am in debt, and
which. we're to stay here seven years,
could never make good by savings
out Of my salary; for be assured we
are the lowest and most obscure of the
whole diplomatic tribe, / live
here about as well as we did at Annap-
oils. keep hired carriage and two
horses, A riding -horseI cannot afford
to keep. This still is far below the
level. Yet it absorbs the whole allow
sncess and return when will to Amer
lea, / shall be the outfit in debt to
Congress. I think / am the first in-
stance in the world where it was not
given. :, ~ ask nothing for my time,
but i think nv expenses should be
paid in style equal to that of those
with whom | am classed, -
President Taft. addressing the
National Board of Trade in 1910,
expressed the same views thus
1--WE boast ourselves democratic
country
eve say that there is no place within
the. gift of the people to which we may
not select the most humble inhabitant,
providing he is fit to discharge IT'S duty,
and yet we have encouragement which
makes it absolutely impossible for any
one 6nt millionaire 70 occupy the
highest diplomatic post. Now ask
you whether, this Isl consistency;
whether it is not the purest kind of
demagpgy.y By demagogy Tmean the
advancement of an argument which
aesms. TO be in favor of democracy but
which, when Sitsactually works out, is
Il. favor Of plutocracy.
President Wilson, in conform
sity with his policy to make this
an administration of plain living
and highathinking, has made a
splendid selection from the field
of journalism in selecting Mr..
Walter il. Page for Ambassador
to the Court of st. James.
In offering the London Embas-t
81 toMr: Page, the Nation says:
: President Wilson has made an inter
estihg experiment.
he has boldly reverted to to the
scholar diplomat as the type Of nah
most qualified, to represent the United |
Statsss abroad. In doing SO he has paid
. silent, but striking compliment to the
good sense of the British people. He
has assumed that what we most value
IN an American ambassador is not his
wealth and his ability to lavish it on
magnificent houses and huge entertain
ments but his personality and his
achievements and the extent to which
he brings with him the true flavor of
American life. .
OF him, @. Henry said that
Walter Page can write letter de-
shining contribution with thanks and
word it SO sweetly that you can take it
Q bank and raise money on it as an
'vidence Of money to'lcome.
Nj. Page when he was Editor
# the Atlantic Monthly wrote: Ii
Ny Deaf Madame: You take reiec. r
lon 50 Aweetly it is q positive sorrow
, be forced % tell you that your story J
Enthusiastically accepted. , "a
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