Mr. SCHENCK. I move to insertafier line 99 the following: No moneyo by this act shall be applied to the payment of salary or compensation to any diplomatic rePresentative of any grade, or to any consul or commercialagent of the U.S. who is not a citizen of the U.S., native or duly naturalized; nor shall any consul or agent commercial not a citizen of the U.S. be authorized to charge or receivefees of any kind for services as such consul or agent. I think the object of this amendment appears clearly upon its face, and that it needs scarcely a word of explanation. It may be said in reference to the appointment of aliens to these offices of mine r grade such as consulates and commercial agencies that they get so little compensation that it is impossible to induce citizens of the U.S. to reside abroad at the places where the offices are to be held, and to exercise the function of the offices. I hardly suppose that to be the case. But I do know that it is right and proper to do something to correct the abuse which exists in the appointment of irre sponsible persons in the countries where they reside to fill these offices. In the 1st place these people, who are there to guard American interests and to meet the wants of American citizens abroad are not themselves full of American sympathies, are not supplied with American knowledge, and are not, therefore, competent, really and truly, to rePresent American interests. I know that there are a great many places, even where Americans reside and might be employed, where persons are appointed to fill official positions who are aliens, and in. some instances never even been in the U.S. For instance, there are many who are partners in foreign houses with others who find it convenient to recommend one of their partners for such appointment, because of some commercial advantage to be derived from having one of the concern to rePresent the Government. There are also persons who are instigated to apply for such places for the reason that they can wear cocked hats and a little gold place, and strut among their fellow citizens at home in the enjoyment of certain privileges as rePresenting a powerful Government abroad. It may be that my amendment is too broad in the classes it embraces; but it seems to me that some corrective needs to be applied. It seems to me to be obvious that the representatives of America abroad ought to be Americans, either by adoption as naturalized citizens or as natives of the country. An objection has sometimes been made that our rePresentatives abroad do not always understand the language of the country to which they are. That is an objection which every day, under the progress of education, is ceasing to exist, and especially by this provision for consular pupils which now exists. In view of this educational progress among our people, I apprehend that wherever America needs to be rePresented an American of some sort can be found competent to fill the place.