Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-08-31
THE THIRTY-MILLION BILL,

The day that this bill was introduced into the
Senate the States steadfastly arrayed itself against
it. Its provisions were so objectionable in many
respects, that we foresaw no small amount Of
harm in it to the Democratic party. That it has
cost us several zsembers Of Congress in the slave
holding States, thsfe can be no reasonable doubt;
and that the calling Of it up again at the next ses-
sion would be seriously injurious to our cause, is
equally certain We trust, therefore, that It will be
permitted to repose in eternal oblivion.
While We yield to none IN sincere soIicitude for
the acquisition of Cuba We can never consent to
such acquisition at so great cost public demoral
ization We are quite willing that as high price
$780, 600 OOO-shall be paid for the island that
recommended by the conference at ostend; but We
as that of $50 900 to be employed sort Of
secret service fund-which in the hands Of an I'M
scrupulous Executive might be turned to the worst
of account the integrity of our govern
ment We need not repeat that we have entire con- |
fdence that Mr.. Buchanan would use it conscien- |
tiously, but he may be succeeded by person who |
would use it for his own selfish purposes More |
over, the example of such appropriation might |
have balefu influence upon future legislation.
Shortly after the Thirty Million bill first engaged
the deliberations of the Senate, We urged the mpor-
lance of enacting bill in precise accordance but less
in detail with that submitted in the House at later
period by Mr.. Taylor of Louisiana. This BILL VIC
have the best of reasons for believing had it been
earnestly supported by the friends of acquisition,
could have been triumphantly carried through Con-
gress. 1t is not improbable that if it shall be
brought forward at the next session. it will still pass
that body In order that our readers may thorough
ly understand the nature of the two bills, and be
enabled to contrast their respective provisions, as
we'll for future reference here insert them one
after the other:
THE THIRTY MILLION BILL.
Be it enacted &c., That the sum of $3O,000,O00
be, and the same is hereby appropriated out of any
moneys not otherwise appropriated, to enable the
President to conclude with the government of Spain
treaty of anty, and for the settlement Of all diff
ferences including the cession of the Island of Cuba
to be used by him, if he shall think fit, in advance
of its ratification by the Senate: Prorided, That
said treaty when signed by the authorized agents of
the two governments, and duly ratified by the
of Spain, shall call for the expenditure
of the sum or any part thereof: full and accurate
accounts of which expenditure shall be by him
transmitted to Congress at as early day as prac-
ticabc."
TIE MILES TAYLOR BILL.
BE 1t enacted by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatiees Of the United States Of Anaeriea in
Congress- assembled That the President be, and he
! is hereby authorized and empowered, when in his
judgment it is advisable to do so, to open negotia
lions for the cession of the Island of Cuba from
| Spain to the United StateS and that he be, and he
is hereby, further authorized and empowered to bind
the United States for the payment to Spain of sum
not to exceed s120,00o,0O0, consideration for
such cession, when the same shall have been made
and completed by a treaty signed by the properly
accredited and duly authorized agents of the two
governments, and ratified by SPAIN
sec .. And be it further enacted, That upon
the ratification by Spain of treaty for the cession
of the said Island of Cuba from Spain to the Unit
cd States, made and completed as aforesaid, the
President be, and he is hereby, authorized and en-
powered, Immediately thereafter, to bonds of
the United States to be issued for the payment of
said sum 1920, DOC, 900, so much thereof as may
be required and to deliver the to the properly
accredited and duly authorized agent of Spain !;
which said bonds shall be divided into not less than
six installments and be payable in not more than
thirty years, and shall bear interest not to
coed five per centum per annum payable half yearly
at the Treasury Department of the United States.
"SEc. 8. And be it further enacted, That the
said Island of Cuba if the same is at any time ceded
to the United States, may be erected into new
State to be called the State of Cuba with repub-
lican form of government, to be adopted by the
people of the said island, by their delegates duly
elected by the surages of the white males the
age of twentyone years. resident in the island and
citizens thereof in convention assembled with the
consent of Congress, and that the said new State
SO erecteu as aforesaid Shall De aunLIeu lntO tLe
Union, by virtue of this act with four Representa-
tves until the next apportonment of representation
on on equal footing with the existing States"
1t will thus have been seen, by those who were
not informed Of the fact BEFORE that the ratification
by the Senate of the United States is not required
to enable the President to draw the entire amount
proposed to be appropriated by the Thirty Million
bill. Even if the treaty, which he might negotiate
with Spain should not receive the sanction of sin
gle member of that body, he would be at liberty tt
employ every dollar appropriated for the purpose o
concluding such treaty! The House, too might
consider the amount stipulated for by him, price
far beyond the value of the island, and Justify itsel
to its constituency, by alleging that it was better
to lose entirely the thirty millions which had beer
employed than to vote an additional 100000, O0(
or S2UO,000,0 O0
The bill of Mr.. Taylor would constitute grca
measure, complete within itself. Were it a law, il
would stand steadily in view Of Spain, and present
temptations to her. in case of probable eventualties
which she would not perhaps, consider herself a
liberty to withstand Before the end of Mr.. Blu
chanan's term she might find it imperative upon he
to benefit by its provisions- Washington States