Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-08-26
The ThIrty.Millicn Bill.

The day that this bill introduced into the Senate
the States steadasty arrayed itself against it. Its pro-
visions were Questionable in many respects that we
ioresaw no small amount of harm it to the Democrat
ic party That it has cost several members of Con-
gress in the savehodng States there be no reason
able doubt and that the calling oil it up again at the
session would be seriously injurious to cause is
equally certain We trust therefore, that it will be per-
mitted to repose in eternal oblivion
While yield to none in sincere socltude for the
acquisition of Cub2 never consent to such &C
QUESTION at great cost as public decentralization
We are quite willing that as high prce-$l 20, 000,
000-sba be paid for the island that recommended
by the conferees at Ostend but would provide no
sum, anything like enormous, that OF $30OOOOOO
to be employed sort Of secret service fund-whch,
in the hands of Inscriptions Executive, might be
turned to the worst OF account concerns the integrity
of our government. We need not repeat that have
entire confidence that Mr.. Buchanan would use it con-
scentiousy, but he may be succeeded by person who
would use it for his selfish purposes Moreover,
the example of such an appropriation might have
most baefu influence upon future legislation.
Shortly after the Thirty Million bill first engaged the
delberat on OF the Senate urged the Importance OF
eDacDg bill in precise accordance, but less in detail,
with that submitted in the House at later period by
Mr. Taylor of Louisiana. This bill, have the best
of reasons for believing had been earnestly supported
by the friends of acquisition, could have been triumph
anty carried through Congress 1t is not improbable
that if it shall be brought forward at the next session.
it will still pass that body. In order that readers
and be enabled to contrast their respective provisions,
we'll for future reference we here insert them
after the other:
THIRTY MILLION BILL,
BE 1t enacted, &c. That the of $30,000,OOO be,
and the hereby, appropriated of any moneys
not otherwise appropriated to enable the President to
conclude with the government of Spain treaty OF
amty and for the settlement of all differences, including
the cession of the Island of Cuba to be used by him, if
he shall think t in advance of its ratification by the
H.,
the authorized agents of the two governments and duly
ratified by the government Of Spain, shall call for the
expenditure OF the or any part therof full and
accurate accounts of which expenditure shall be by him
transmitted to Congress at early day practical
ble'
THE MILES TAYLOR BILL.
"Be enacted by the Senate and House of Represen-
at1UeS Of the United States of america an Congress as
Sem6led, That the President be- and he is hereby
thorzed and empowered when in his Judgment it is adj
vsabe to do to open negotiations for the cessOn OF
the Island of Cuba from Spain the United States
and that he be- and be is hereby further authorized and
empowered to bind the United States for the payment
to Spain of sum, not to exceed $4,000 600, a
consideration for such cesson when the shall have
been made and completed by treaty signed by the
properly accredited and duly authorized agents of the
two governments, and ratified by Spain.
SEC. 2. And be at further enacted, That upon the
ratification by Spain of treaty for the cession of the
said Island OF Cuba from Spain to the United States,
made and completed aforesaid, the President be- and
he is hereby authorized and empowered Immediately
thereafter cause bonds Of the United States be
sued Tor the payment of said of $l20000000 so
much thereof may required and deliver the
to the properly accredited and duly authorized agent of
Spain which said bonds shall be divided into not less
than inStaments and be payable in not than
thirty years, and shall bear interest not to exceed
five per ccntum per annum, payable half yearly at the
Treasury Department of the United States.
Sec. 3 And be At further enacted That the said IS
land OF Cuba if the same is at any time ceded to the
United States, may be erected into new State to be
ernment to be adopted by the people of the said island
by their delegates duly elected by the suages of the
white males, over the age If twenyone years. resident
III the island aud citizens thereof In convention
bed with the of Congress, and that the said
new State, erected aforesaid shall be admitted
into the Unon by virtue of this act with four Repre-
sentatves until the next apportlonment OF representa-
ton on an equal footing with the existing State"
1t will thus have been seen, by those who not in
formed of the fact before that the ratification by the
Senate OF the United States not required to enable
the President to draw the entire 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 a single member of that body
he would be at liberty to employ every dollar appropr-
ated Tor the purpose Of concluding such treaty. The
House. too, might consider the stipulated for by
him-a price far beyond the value of the island and
justify itself to its constituency, by alleging that it
better TO Lose entirely the thrtE million which had
been employed than to vote an additional $l5OO0O00O
or $2O0,OOO,0O0! Certainly, wilder legislation never
attempted than that demonstrated in the introduce
ton OF the Thirty Million bill
The bill of Mr. Taylor would constitute great meas
ure, complete within itself Were it law it would
stand steadily in view Of Spain, and present temptations
her, in Of probable eventualities which she wouC
not perhaps, consider herself at liberty to Withstand
Before the end of MIR. Buchanans term she might fine
it imperative upon her to benefit by its provisions.
Washington States.