The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-29
COLOMBIA.

Ho ase of Ropreseutntives-New Altera-
rons-Edncatiopai AIafters--The Laio Fire
In Aspin wali--A Scheme 10 Aid tho Spsaish
Americas Colo mics.
PANAMA, July, 1870.
There is but little Of interest to communicate
nom the isthmus by this mail. On the 9Th inst.
forwarded by way of st. Thomas full details of
news from the interior, the most important items
of which were that the Canal treaty had passed
the House of Representatives with such altera-
lions or amendments General Hurlburt, the
United States Minister at Bogota, desired, and
had been returned to the Senate for approval; and
that the bill to form "Pacto Americana (SOuth
American Confederation) to free Cuba, Porto Rico
&c, from Spanish rule had passed the third read.
ing in the House, where 1t originated. Since
then no news whatever has been received here
from the capital. A New York paper Of the 18th
ult publishes letter from its Panama correspon-
dent, in which it is stated that this latter bill
'was enthusiastically passed by a large majority"
in the Colombian Congress. This is entirely in
correct. On the 18th of June, our latest date
from the capital, the bill had onty just been sent
to 'the Senate. There is, therefore, no ground
for stating that it had become a law.
he.President has sent very able message to
subject too much neglected in these mis-
governed countries. The House of Repre-
sentatives having approved unanimously the
item in the budget appropratng 100000 to
found normal schools in the republic the Presi-
dent compliments them on the act. The follow
ing is the pith of his remarks:-The unanimous
vote of appreciation given in the House of Repre-
sentatives appropriating 100000 to found normal
l.. - Al -
of all political parties to labor tremendously for
the advancement of the republic, which fact while
honorable to the nation, will be accepted with
favor by all the friends of constitutional liberty.
In taking for a model the United States and adopt
ing their Institutions to these republics the
mon school system was left out. This the Presi
dent deeply regrets, and says that it is impossible
to found repu bic without forming first the citi-
zen and that the electoral arm and the school
must be the base which rests every republic.
A country is neither republican nor free because
the constitution says SO, but because the amount
of intelligence and The social condition permit it
to be so. The continued revolutions of Spanish
America and the low state Of industry are due en-
tirey to the ignorance of the lower classes The
minority govern and the majority suffer. The
President asserts that the condition OF the labor,
ing classes is not any better than under the Colo
NAL government The question of the interven-
ton of the government with public instruction he
considers definitely settled In the affirmative, and
thinks the system of education should conform in
all the schools, as tending to unite the States
themselves. The best mode of doing this would, In
his opinion, for the government to take upon itself
the forming of the teachers, leaving to the States
the primary schools. He then recommends the
passing of law making public instruction
bro nf fba drntp and ,p1o nf
the University The President thus reasons very
sensibiy-whie the people are ignorant they
will not be industrious, and if they are not indus
trious the country must remain poor, 80 that any
money advanced to remove ignorance tends to
enrich the country and consequently the Trea-
sury. When once enlightened civilization and
progress will 60 on of themselves.
The document, as l have said is q very able
one and does great credit to President Salgar.
Although the amount appropriated-$100, 000-is
but drop in the bucket, yet it is q step
in the right direction, one which, it is
to be The npsa State ~ of Panama nsa0q p4SbS SoTs sa
most enlightened in the republic, may be taken as
example of the state Of public education in
this republic. The report of the Treasurer for
the last fiscal year shows the income of the State
pended in keeping up military force, while only
g. ,l22 were devoted to educational purposes.
The army expenses of the State amounted to fifty
cents per head of the entire population.
The case of Messrs. Clement and Muylin, the two
French citizens who were arrested by the arb
trary order Of President Carreoso, suspicion Of
having set fire to the Aspinwall House, and thereby
caused the late confagration, is attracting much
attention, and the newspapers here have taken
1t up very warmly, and denounce the authorities
for their action in the matter. The two unfor
tunate men are still confined in filthy prison,
with the lowest criminals composing the chain
gang as companions. The have been deprived Of
liberty since the 9Th Of June, without having even
the shadow of trial. This is republicanism with
o vengeance.
The u. s. steamer Nyack, Capt. Eastman, sailed
hence for Callao on the 9th inst.
Some uneasiness was felt here about the steam
ship Rising Star, which arrived two days behind
the usual time. The passengers, &C., by her left
for San Francisco, per Montana, on the 18th inst
The steamers from the Central American coast
have not yet arrived. The Bolivar is expected on
the Goth and the Salvador on the 26th. By the
Constitution, which arrived on the 18th, we have
later dates from Guatemala, with an interesting
account Of the earthquakes recently experienced
in that republic.
Proposed Coalition Of the South American
Republics TO FREQ the Spanish Antilles.
From the Panama Mail, July 6, 1901
On the 18th June the House of Representatives,
in oaooinp IN he initial Daaaed n mill which