17 April 1918 – Washington, D.C., United States of America
“If they wanted to see sell Jamaica they would have offered it, asking to buy it for another $50 million might ruin the entire deal at this point and very few people wanted to take that chance, Senator Pittman”. For reasons beyond the comprehension of Willard Saulsbury of Delaware, President pro tempore of the Senate, seven democrats had broken with the party and were stalling the purchase of Western Canada by the United States. While the Republicans by and large offered token resistance at first, the break from the ‘Seven Saboteurs’ now threatened the entire bill. Many had legitimate concerns about moving so much bullion out of the nation at one time, a logical concern being analyzed and gradually essuaded by officers from the United States Mint. Pittman’s reasoning, along with that of five of the six other Democrats, was that the bill did not go far enough.
“We need Jamaica as we will eventually need Cuba. I think we have an opportunity here to look at Dominica and a few other areas in the near future as well”, came the reply.
“Mr. Pittman need I remind you that the offer was not made to include the areas in question nor was any offer extended to consider Jamaica or any other of the Caribbean Islands not specifically purchased. Your request would have us buy out the entirety of Britain’s remaining possessions in the hemisphere and at no small price”. Jamaica, British Honduras, the Falklands, South Sandwich Islands, and Guyana were now being discussed for a sum of $200 million. That would bring even more resistance from the Republicans who were considering a stall on the vote until after the elections if it could be done, but prospects for doing so – even for the whole of the deal itself – were looking bleaker with every German victory. “Britain is starting to worry about the Soldier’s Union Crisis in Calais and Dunquerque even as her army is being recalled. Canada will start having significant military withdrawals soon too, if we are not in possession of the areas in question at that time this might get bloody”.
“Do as you wish, Mr. Saulsbury, but my fellow Senators and I deserve to be heard and considered”.
“Not if it brings down the whole of the purchase you don’t. All you do is hand our opposition a victory for November, deny this country its manifest destiny, and stop us from breaking that despicable trend of new party control of Congress in a mid-term under a new President”.
“Leaving the treasury empty of gold is not wise, Saulsbury”, came the reply.
The older man sighed. Logic was getting him nowhere quickly. “Not availing yourself of opportunity like this is even less wise, young man”. Pittman felt the anger rise but did nothing. “I know you are friends with Senator New on the Territories Committee and can do great damage to this bill, but mark my words that if you block this bill’s success or can be blamed for its failure that is what will happen. Do you really want to risk ostracization from the party and any chance you have of coming back here next election, Mr. Pittman”?
It was the release of Pittman’s otherwise hidden, mild Mississippi accent despite so many years in Nevada that caught Saulsbury’s attention. “Good sir, I believe we have more than Canada in mind for our expansion, we can set ourselves up to complete the dream of the Caribbean as an American lake and start moving on more than that in days to come. Our army and navy already fight in little unholy mosquito-ridden banana plantations named for who-knows-what in god-knows-where. I will risk myself for my country and its interests, we were now at war twice in twenty years with European powers and need to ensure that they have no chance to build up so much as an iota of strength anywhere near our shores”.
Saulsbury looked at him with tired eyes. “I was hoping we could do this amicably, Mr. Pittman, you have talents I would like to see developed and I think you could be an important leader in the future. But great leaders must learn to follow, not just command”. Pittman knew what was coming next as Saulsbury continued. “I have already reached a deal with the Republican leadership on this bill and they will get specific concessions. A railway to Alaska, accelerated statehood for the four Provinces, and accelerated consideration of statehood for the other territories. We will also consider Puerto Rico for statehood in the process as well as offer it to Cuba should they want it”.
Pittman looked at him quizzically. “But you’re leaving the rest off the table”?
“Yes we are. And because you won’t listen to reason or your own leadership I’m having you left off as well. Consider this a polite warning that financial support for your next campaign will be…difficult to obtain if you interfere with any other bills before the next election. If that happens your state party leadership will be made aware of the circumstances. Interfere further or try to resist at that point and no one in your family will find a home with the Democratic Party again. You should have listened when you had the chance”.
Pittman looked at the man with inspective eyes. Threatening him was one thing, but his siblings? This would not be forgotten even if it was very unexpected. “I will heed your words, Mr. Saulsbury”.
“Then a good day to you, you are free to leave”.
“If they wanted to see sell Jamaica they would have offered it, asking to buy it for another $50 million might ruin the entire deal at this point and very few people wanted to take that chance, Senator Pittman”. For reasons beyond the comprehension of Willard Saulsbury of Delaware, President pro tempore of the Senate, seven democrats had broken with the party and were stalling the purchase of Western Canada by the United States. While the Republicans by and large offered token resistance at first, the break from the ‘Seven Saboteurs’ now threatened the entire bill. Many had legitimate concerns about moving so much bullion out of the nation at one time, a logical concern being analyzed and gradually essuaded by officers from the United States Mint. Pittman’s reasoning, along with that of five of the six other Democrats, was that the bill did not go far enough.
“We need Jamaica as we will eventually need Cuba. I think we have an opportunity here to look at Dominica and a few other areas in the near future as well”, came the reply.
“Mr. Pittman need I remind you that the offer was not made to include the areas in question nor was any offer extended to consider Jamaica or any other of the Caribbean Islands not specifically purchased. Your request would have us buy out the entirety of Britain’s remaining possessions in the hemisphere and at no small price”. Jamaica, British Honduras, the Falklands, South Sandwich Islands, and Guyana were now being discussed for a sum of $200 million. That would bring even more resistance from the Republicans who were considering a stall on the vote until after the elections if it could be done, but prospects for doing so – even for the whole of the deal itself – were looking bleaker with every German victory. “Britain is starting to worry about the Soldier’s Union Crisis in Calais and Dunquerque even as her army is being recalled. Canada will start having significant military withdrawals soon too, if we are not in possession of the areas in question at that time this might get bloody”.
“Do as you wish, Mr. Saulsbury, but my fellow Senators and I deserve to be heard and considered”.
“Not if it brings down the whole of the purchase you don’t. All you do is hand our opposition a victory for November, deny this country its manifest destiny, and stop us from breaking that despicable trend of new party control of Congress in a mid-term under a new President”.
“Leaving the treasury empty of gold is not wise, Saulsbury”, came the reply.
The older man sighed. Logic was getting him nowhere quickly. “Not availing yourself of opportunity like this is even less wise, young man”. Pittman felt the anger rise but did nothing. “I know you are friends with Senator New on the Territories Committee and can do great damage to this bill, but mark my words that if you block this bill’s success or can be blamed for its failure that is what will happen. Do you really want to risk ostracization from the party and any chance you have of coming back here next election, Mr. Pittman”?
It was the release of Pittman’s otherwise hidden, mild Mississippi accent despite so many years in Nevada that caught Saulsbury’s attention. “Good sir, I believe we have more than Canada in mind for our expansion, we can set ourselves up to complete the dream of the Caribbean as an American lake and start moving on more than that in days to come. Our army and navy already fight in little unholy mosquito-ridden banana plantations named for who-knows-what in god-knows-where. I will risk myself for my country and its interests, we were now at war twice in twenty years with European powers and need to ensure that they have no chance to build up so much as an iota of strength anywhere near our shores”.
Saulsbury looked at him with tired eyes. “I was hoping we could do this amicably, Mr. Pittman, you have talents I would like to see developed and I think you could be an important leader in the future. But great leaders must learn to follow, not just command”. Pittman knew what was coming next as Saulsbury continued. “I have already reached a deal with the Republican leadership on this bill and they will get specific concessions. A railway to Alaska, accelerated statehood for the four Provinces, and accelerated consideration of statehood for the other territories. We will also consider Puerto Rico for statehood in the process as well as offer it to Cuba should they want it”.
Pittman looked at him quizzically. “But you’re leaving the rest off the table”?
“Yes we are. And because you won’t listen to reason or your own leadership I’m having you left off as well. Consider this a polite warning that financial support for your next campaign will be…difficult to obtain if you interfere with any other bills before the next election. If that happens your state party leadership will be made aware of the circumstances. Interfere further or try to resist at that point and no one in your family will find a home with the Democratic Party again. You should have listened when you had the chance”.
Pittman looked at the man with inspective eyes. Threatening him was one thing, but his siblings? This would not be forgotten even if it was very unexpected. “I will heed your words, Mr. Saulsbury”.
“Then a good day to you, you are free to leave”.