Consul

a commercial agent of a government. The consular service of the United States began in 1780. The present consular force includes consuls general, consuls, vice-consuls, clerks, interpreters, and other subordinates. It consists of over a thousand persons. They are appointed by the president, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The consular service is in charge of the secretary of state. The salary of a consul general, that is to say, the consul in a metropolis, is $12,000 a year, from which the salary ranges to $3,000. The salary of consuls varies from $2,000 to $8,000 a year. Those holding the lower salaried positions are permitted to engage in business for themselves. The total salary list of the consular service is over $1,600,000. There were in 1907 57 consuls general and 253 consuls. Fees collected by the various offices, however, and turned into the United States treasury, reduce the net cost to about one-twelfth of that amount. In 1880 the United States government commenced the publication of a periodical called Consular Reports, giving information sent in from the various consular fields. It is designed primarily for the benefit of merchants; but is sent free to those who seem likely to make good use of it. It contains a great deal of interesting information. School libraries should have it.

The duties of a consul are of a varied nature. He is supposed to look after the welfare of American seamen, and to settle disputes between captains and their crews. He inspects the passports of American travelers, and assures the foreign government that they are genuine. He looks after the property of Americans who die abroad. He certifies that ships sailing for this country are in a sanitary condition, and that they carry nothing infected with plague. Much of the merchandise bought abroad must pay customs duty on reaching this country, according to its value. The consul examines the bills of lading at the ports where the goods are bought and certifies that the prices named are those, in his judgment, actually paid; thus protecting the United States from imposition through false bills. He upholds the dignity of the United States. He is secure from arrest, and may display the national flag over his door. Theoretically, his office is American soil. Americans abroad may be married in his presence and receive a certificate from him to the effect that the ceremony was performed within the jurisdiction of the United States. The usefulness of a consul depends entirely on his character and ability. Sometimes he is in position to do more for the American flag than falls to the lot of the ordinary minister or plenipotentiary.

In China and Siam, the consul sits with the local judge in trying cases to which Americans are a party. In Persia and other countries, Americans are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States consul, instead of to the local courts. These matters are, of course, arranged by treaty. We accord the same privileges to consuls of other governments that they accord to ours.

See Civil Service; Ambassador