The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-24
HOW PANAMA IS
To Be GOVERNED
Canal Territory Will Demand
Attention Of Congress
kITTRIDGE HAS A BILL
Provides Primarily for Government BY
Board of Governors, Consisting of
Three Members Appointed
BY the President.

Washington, February Ex-senator Kit
tredge of South Dakota, member of
the interoceanic canal committee, after
the ratification of the canal treaty, today
porary government of Panamanian canal
territory and the protection of the canal
works. and for other purposes connected
with the construction of the canal
The first section creates 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-
frmed by the senate.
Until congress shall otherwise provide,
according to the second section, the legis-
latve, administrative and executive pow
ers possessed by congress and the priv
ileges of the United States on the isthmus
of Panama, shall be vested In the board
of governors. The powers so vested shall
include 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 collected and dis
bursed by the board for proper purposes.
Modification May Be Necessary.
Senator Kittredge says some modifca-
tion of the provision for the board of gov
ernors may be necessary wnen the duties
of the isthmian canal commission shall
have been determined. II the commission
Is to have charge of the work of con-
structing the canal, and is to be some
times on the isthmus and some times in
the United States. the board will be neces-
sary. but in case that 1t is determined
that a sufficient number of commission
ers shall be resident on the canal strip to
constitute a government. the board of
governors may be dispensed with and the
duties Of the board deyolve on the COM
mission.
Section 3 contains the Dill of rights Of
the United States constitution with some
additional restrictions which provide that
all moneys collected for special purpose
shall be treated as. a special fund ana
paid out only for such purpose; that the
laws of the United States except such
as are expressly made applicable to the
territory, shall not extend to the terri
tory; goods not being the product or man
ufacture of the territory coming to the
United tSates shall pay the same duties
as goods from foreign ports; the laws in
force in the republic of Panama on the
day of the exchange of ratiflcations OF the
treaty of November 1s, 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 concessions
granted by the board of governors shall
be valid until approved by congress
Can Alter or AnnuI Laws.
Section declares that all laws passed
by the board shall be reported to congress,
which reserves the power to alter or an
inul the same. Until expressly confirmed
by congress, the President Is given power
to suspend by proclamation in whole or
in part the operation of any law passed
by the board, which he shall find to inter-
fere with the performance of the powers
or 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
ensuing session.
Section five 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 terri
tory. 1t shall maintain an adequate police
force, and, In case cf exigency, may call
on any land or naval forces OF the United
States within the territory to render as
Stance. which shall be rendered under
such rules and orders as the President
may make; 1t shall enact laws and make
regulations for the purposes aforesaid In
respect to the canal territory, and OF
the cities of Panama and Colon, and the
supplying of water to said cities but the
President also is authorized TO employ Of
ficers of the army or navy for those pur-
poses
Can Acquire Private Lands.
Section six gives the board power by
judicial proceedings and upon payment of
due compensation, to acquire private
lands and buildings by condemnation,
such property to be the property of the
United States.
Section seven forbids the board to bor-
row money or to issue bonds without the
express authority of congress- or to i'm
pose or collect any tax. or charge Of any
kind upon property belonging to the gov
ernment of the United States. or upon
vessels using or passing through the canal,
or upon their cargoes or passengers.
Section eight vests local executive au-
thority In the board of governors giving
It power to grant pardons or reprieves for
acts against the loaws of the board. and
against the laws of the United States
until the decision of the President Is
made known
Section nine authorizes the board TO
appoint a chief of police and defines his
duties pand provides that during the abb
sence or disability of all members of the
board. he shall act as executive.
Under section 10 the board is author
lied to make laws and regulations for the
administration OF justice.
Court Is Established.
'Section II authorizes the President TO
appoint three judges to constitute the
United States court OF Panama, and de-
fines its duties.
Section 12 gives the circuit court of
appeals for the second district jurisdic-
ton for appeal and review of the acts of
the Panama court In al civil cases re-
sulting in death sentence or imprison-
ment for more than three years. or where
the authority of the United States or the
validity of a treaty or law of the United
States In question.
Section l3 authorizes the board to pro-
vide for extradition from the territory