The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-07


and doctors advice free. Warmers
Safe Cure Co., Rochester, N. Y.
was broken by a fusillade Of pistol
shots. The alcalde and his escort of
three policemen were blazing away at
that fleeing negro, desperate in their
desires to corral the cash he was
known to have on his person. To his
feet-footedness and the poor marks
manship of his pursuers he owed his
escape, for he succeeded in making his
way back to the manganese mine with
his skin intact and the silver still in
his pocket. Hard times were, by last
reports. still pursuing that particular
alcalde.
System Is to BE Reformed.
Under the republic there is a de-
termination to correct these abuses
and establish the administration of
Justice upon more equitable and re-
| spectacle basis. Therein lies one of
the real fruits of secession, for, in
decisive as the officials are on other
points, they are positive on this one.
There eyes are fully open to the ne
cessity for reform in this regard,
and under the direction of Senior Men
doza, minister of justice, a scheme is
to provide a more perfect administra-
llOll III the law. Al the government
building it is stated that few, if any,
of the police magistrates and judges
who were in office when the republic
was set up, and who are still per-
forming judicial duties, will be retain
ed, it having been determined to dis
miss nearly all of them and fill their
places with men of more intelligence,
better versed in the law and of great
er incorruptability.
Tt1cf 91 I1.v 1T.
tered according to the Colombian
statutes, which have been amended
by the junta, so as to cause them to
fit the recent changes in Panama s
political status. Senior Mendoza, a
! competent lawyer, is, however, work
ing energetically to prepare civil and
criminal codes, and have them ready
to submit to the first Congress for
adoption. These codes will provide
for the desired reforms in the judicial
system, and Senior Mendoza means to
so frame them that the administration
of justice will, while made truer and
purer be rendered more simple and less
expensive than it now is. Lower fees
for court officials will be stipulated,
and the presiding officers will be per-
| mitted less latitude in the imposition
OF sentences and disposal of cases than
is now allowed them. At the same
time they will be held to a stricter
accountability for moneys coming into
| their possession, and as they will be
| paid their salaries regularly, there
will be less occasion for them to re-
| sort to grating than obtained under
the old regime.
Republics Plan for a Judiciary.
Under the plan mapped out by Senior
Mendoza, the judicial machinery of the
republic, after the adoption of a consti-
tutional form of government, will be as
follows:
There will be one high court of justice
(the supreme body, composed of five
magistrates, three of whom win be as
signed to hear civil cases on appeal,
and two to the consideration of crimi-
nal cases.
One superior Judge, to preside in these
criminal cases brought up on appeal. IN
which the appellant will be entitled to
have his cause heard and determined
by three jurors selected by lot
In the Province of Panama there will
be two provincial judges for civil cases
and two for those of the criminal. with
one civil and one criminal Judge in
each of the Provinces of Colon, Bocas
del Toro, Cocla, Chiriqui, Los Santos
and Varaguas.
Each province will be divided into
municipal districts, and in each of these
districts there VIII be erected courts
for the trial of civil and criminal cases
of petty nature.
To each of these courts. from the
lowest to the highest, there will be as
signed public prosecutor, to represent
the state in the trial of criminal cases
and the right of appeal will be vested
in the litigants.
This scheme for a judiciary provides
for an organization greatly superior to
that furnished by Colombia. and If the
purpose of those in authority to free
the courts OF present corrupt practices
is achieved. there will be an immeas-
urable improvement in the general con-
ditions surrounding the isthmians, for
heretofore the courts have existed
largely for the purpose of mulcting the
people, and justice has been as a howl
ing farce.