Speech #530093197

I wish to state the several items constituting this claimin order to set right some things which have been said on the other side in regard to what constitutes unofficial fees. If the unofficial feeswere simply fees taken by consular officers for services akin to those of an attorney who might be employed if the consular officer were not employed for the purpose. there would not be the objection which now exists to the system. But the bill of particulars of this claim to which the claimant Mosby w.s found by the court to be entitled. embraces among other items the following: For examining Chinese emigrants departing on foreign vessels to the United StatesNow. no one will doubt that this was a proper official service. although the consul was allowed to take the fee as his own perquisite. For certifying invoices of goods through the United States. It was necessary that those invoices should be certified. although the goods might not remain in the United States. because there was a possibility that they might.