Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-02-25

any OF tnc money was uSpu IN payment Ol
the amount agreed to he paid nv the treaty "
30th April, 1909. for the purchase Of Louisi-
ana, goes far 60 prove that Mr.. jefferson did
not understand that he had any right to APP
ply the money to that purpose.
But if this act will bear the construction
which the committee seem to have put upon
it, some justification may be made for 1t
from the history of tho lines Louisiana
had become an absolute necessity to the en-
joyment of our possessions in the valley Of the
Mississippi and its tributaries. Europe was
in State OF war. Nations were leagued to-
gcther against Napoleon Bonepartc; and he
held the consulate Of France by and uncer
tain aud doubtful tenure. Mr.. jefferson
saw that that was the time. and perhaps the
odly time to negotiate II treaty. And if there
has ever been II time in our history when
Congress could he justified in the exercise Of
Il doubtful constitutional power, that was
the time. But there can be no prctcnse that
the existing state Of things in Europe and i'll
this country calls for the exercise OF any
sAch doubtful powers in legislation. The
world is at peace and Spain, once the proud
sovereign of large portion OF this continent,
is, to-day, better able to defend what little
she has left from foreign invasion and from
domestic discussions than she has been before
for century. No threats are made by any
other nation but this against her indcpcn-
dance aud integrity and N danger Is apprc-
headed that shr is tn transfer Cuba to any
other nation and il eft free from the ned
dlasomr interference Of other nations. there
Is some reason tn expect that She may soon
exhibit that pcrinancncy and stability in her
Government which TIL" President thinks is 80
Important to riin lir tection of Amcric II in
terC5ie.
The act passed. March 5. 1917. and entitl-
cd "An act making further appropriations
tp bri e the cXistin. war with Mexico to a
sr ady aud honorable conciusiun,' rcctcs
ttlt WAY then existed between the Republic
% MrXirn and the United States, and OK
pressed desire to sec that war speedily ter
minated, and the fact that the President
might be able to conclude treaty Of peace
before the next session of Congress: and
made AN appropriation of $4,000 600 to en-
able tle President conclude II treaty OF
p'dc'. limits and boundaries with Mexico,
and gave Che President the same right t. use
Jlr money as is proposed to he conferred by
Dils tit, | 'nt"d States Statutes at Large,
Volume .. page l1I.) The act contains the
ovid ne chat We vera III state OF war with
the p:riy with whom the treaty referred to
in thu act WAS to b. made; aud the object OF
his appropriation seems to have been 40 en-
able the Presidon, to conclude that war
and the only justification that can be made
for it is based upon the necessities which war
creates. The act was passed just at the close
oi a session of Congress, and there We're
strong and urgent reasons for its passage.
But there re very many who thought it
would be bat'r that public and private i'll
tera,tS SHOULD slll'r fora time, and even that
the war which they were 50 anxious to bring
to Il speedy termination should he prolonged.
Gnti r.c President could convene Congress
To- act upon any treaty which he might make,
than that the Executive should be clothed
with the dangerous power proposed to BE-
conferred uron him by flat act, and which
is "a W used by the President as a precedent,
ia i, time of profound peace 81 far, Mr..
Chairman, from the President being sustain
ed by prccedents in this recommendation, |
believe that the whole course of our legish-
ton is in direct opposition to the course he
now recommends us to pursl."
There is another subject connected with
tuis hil. which. in my Judgment, is deserv-
ing y! careful consideration and that is the
unlimited power which it coniers upon the
President in the disposition of the money it
nppropriate,. There is no provision limit
ni@ trc amount which the authorized agent
sd is tinvcrllmrn may nsree to pny for
c. and all that is required to enable the
Pro- Int 10 draw the $50 900 900 from the
Ira ny Is to show that ii treaty. including
the c'e,iou ol Caba, las been signed by the
agent, IT the two Governments. and been IA
titled ~ spain. No matter what the terms
of the trratv may he. the moment It is rati
fed hv Spain The money is at the absolute
dis,us,,l Of RI" President. IL he applies il
upon the treaty. he will. no doubt. carry out
tie intention vi the friends of the bill. But
if the President thinks proper to apply tn,
money to any other purpos,. what lty4l r..
strlint dp., the bill interposc to prevent it
Sir. lie may employ this enormous SUN fol
political mlp,scs in corrupting the clcctiv,
franchise. in subscribing his own ambitious
lurp.s.s; aud vet the law is powcrlrSs t.
Irotcut it.
The Drnvisi t. th. first section will b.
found. on examination, to furnish no pro
t elton. brca,ls, tine iull and accurate accoun
Of heexpcnditur, of the money which it re-
ouir,., him to furnish To Congress, is only I,
b, furnished at as early Il luy as practicable
leaving The time wholly t, the discretion o
the President and. if the money is misln
Mi d there never will he A rrlrtic,hlc dnv
in the orInion n, the President. 10 furnish
thi, account. And. however much gentle
men may rely ana, the in,rgritv II til,
pra.;d,ut i., ,Lcu,. ref, ct tlut the lcrisl4
ti,u of tn.dly j., +, iutllrncr the future.
Mr.. Chairman. il Is only few DAYS sine,
| heard il rlaimed by gentlemen upon til,
other side OF the Huuse, that the prescrya
,i,,, M rho n ritts uI tine .rrtia,I uf the ui,i