The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-24
BILL TO PROVIDE FOR
TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT
Of PANAMA CANAL ZONE
Also for Protection Of the Works
and Persons Employed in
Construction.
AN IMPORTANT MEASURE
introduced by Senator Kittridge-
Board of Governors
Proposed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator Kilt
redge of South Dakota, member Of the
interoceanic canal committee, after the
ratification of the canal treaty to-day intro
duced a bill to provide for the temporary
government of the Panama canal territory
and the protection of the canal works and
for other purposes connected with the con-
structiOn of the canal.
The first section creates 1.-The Panama
Board of Governors" consisting Of three
citizens of the United States, not all of
whom shall be of the same political party
to be appointed by the President and con-
firmed by the Senate.
Until Congress shall otherwise provide
according to the second section, the legisla-
tive, administrative and executive powers
possessed by Congress and the privileges
Of the United States on the isthmus of
Panama shall be vested in the board of
governors. The powers so vested shall in
clude the power to raise revenue. None of
the taxes levied and collected shall be
turned into the treasury of the United
States, but shall be retained and dsbursed
by the board for proper purposes.
Senator Kittredge says some modification
of the provision of the Board of Governors
may be necessary when the duties of the
isthmus canal commission shall have been
determined. If the commission is to have
charge of the work of constructing the
canal and is to be sometimes on the isthmus
and sometimes in the United States the
board will be necessary, but in case it shall
be determined that sufficient number of
commissioners shall be residents of the
canal strip to constitute a government the
board of governors may be dispensed with
and the duties of the board devolsed upon
the commission.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
Section contains the bill of rights of
the United States Constitution with some
additional restrictions which provide that
all moneys selected for a special purpose
shall be treated as a special fund and
paid out only for such purpose; that the
laws of the United States. except such as
are expressly made applicable to the ter
ritory, shall not extend TO the territory;
| goods not being the product or manufac-
| ture of the territory coming to the United
States shall pay the same duty as the goods
| from foreign ports; the laws in force in the
| Republic of Panama on the date of the
| exchange of ratification of the treaty of
| Nov. Is, 1903, which are locally applicable
! in said territory and not inconsistent with
| the provisions of this act shall continue
/ in force in said territory until altered or
annuled by the Board of Governors or by
| Congress. or suspended by the President
under the powers conferred on him by the
| bill. No franchise rights, privileges or con-
cessions granted by the Board of Gov
ernors shall be valid until approved by
| Congress.
| by the board shall be reported to Con-
gress which reserves the power to alter or
annul the same. Until expressly confirmed
| by Congress the President is given power
| TO suspend by proclamation. in whole in
part, the operation of any law passed by
the board which he shall find to interfere
| duties of the President of the isthmian
| canal commission under the Spooner act
or the Kittredge BILL He is required to
| report such action with his reasons to
| Congress at the beginning of its next ensu-
ing session.
DUTY OF GOVERNORS
Section says the board Of governors
shall be charged with the duty of MAIN
tanning order, protecting the canal rail-
road and other property of the United
States. preserving health and promoting
morals and education In the canal territory.
1t shall maintain an adequate police force,
and, in case of exigency, may call on any
land or naval forces of the United States
within the territory TO render assistance
which shall be rendered under such rules
and orders the President may make;
it shall enact laws and make regulati lions
for the purposes aforesaid in respect of the
canal territory, and of the cities of Pana-
ma and Colon, and the supplying water to
| said cities, but the President also is au-
thOrized to employ officers of the army or
| navy for those purposes.
Section gives the board power by ju-
| dicial proceedings, and upon payment of
Ia nAa
and buildings by condemnation, such prop
| erty to be the property of the United
States.
Section forbids the board to borrow
money or to issue bonds without the ex-
press authority OF Congress, or 10 impose
or collect any tax, duty or charge of any
eminent of the United States. upon YES
sells using or passing through the canal
or upon their cargoes or passengers
Section vests local executive authority
in the board Of governors. giving it power
TO grant pardonS or reprieveS for acts
against the laws OF the board and against
the laws of the United States until the de-
cision of the President is made known.
Section authorizes the board to appoint
a chief OF police and defines his duties anC
| provides that during the absence or disabil
ity OF all members of the board he shall ac
as executive.
Under Section 10 the hoard is authorized
to make laws and regulations for the ad
ministration OF justice.
Section IL authorizes the President to ap
|
states Court of Panama and defines its du
ties
COURT OF APPEALS.
Section II gives the Circuit Court of APP
peals for the Second district jurisdiction
for appeal and review of the acts of tn
Panama court in all civil cases where al
amount exceeding 5000 is involved, in Grim
inal cases resulting in death sentence o.
imprisonment for more than three years, o.
where the authority of the United States o.
the validity of treaty or law of the United
States is in question
2 Section IL authorizes the board TO provide
Tor extradition from the territory under il
control IN conformity with the extraditiol
treaties of the United States. For the pur
, poses or the section the territory of tn
canal zone is deemed a territory of tn
United states and the Republic of Panam;
foreign country.
Section IA requires all officers undar III
government of the territory 10 tale tho "a >,
of allegiance TO the United states and re
nounce all foreign allegiance
Section - provides that the terms ster
ritory, canal territory or the like Wher
employed in the bill shall comprehend an,
relate to all lands, waters. harbors ports
: islands, the cities OF Panama and Colon an,
) all places and property, in respect of which
the United States is now or hereafter ma
, be empowered under said treaty or an;
} amendment thereof or supplement thereto
to possess and exercise authority
Section is appoints two members of III
United States Court OF Panama as the mem