Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1905 — THERE’S MONEY IN IT. [ARTICLE]

THERE’S MONEY IN IT.

Why American Consulship* Are So Eagerly Bought. Never before at the beginning of aa administration has there been such a rush of applicants for diplomatic and consular places as at present, and never before have so few of these places been available, owing partly to the fact that the President has already promised many of them to personal friends and partly to the policy of retaining in office incumbents with good records. Ordinarily, it is said there are from ten to a dozen applicants for each foreign appointment at the beginning of an administration. At present there are twenty applicants for each job. These positions, especially in the consular service, are rendered attractive by the fees for administering oaths, for acknowledging deeds, etc. These foes at some posts amount to far more than the salary. H. Clay Evans, our consul general to London, receives a salary of $5,000 per annum; but in 1903 his “notarial” fees amounted to $10,308. Thus he received a total of more than $15,000. Consul General Gowdy, at Paris, realized, all told, $13,970, $5,000 of which was salary. Consul Boyle, at Liverpool, received $6,848 in unofficial fees. Men of wealth among tiie applicants are many, though they are sot looking for the money. The occupancy of an official post, even in the consular service, gives a social standing abroad it is difficult to obtain otherwise. It is for this reason that Americans with social ambition and wealth to hack it up are so eager to get these appointments.