The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-02-10
FREE SILVER ON
THE CANAL ZONE
Governor Magoon Unwittingly Bears
Testimony in Hearing Before
Senate Committee.
MORGAN MAKES A MISTAKE
SAYS CLEVELAND WHEN HE
MEANS BRYAN.

Washington, Feb. 9.-Charles E. Ma
COON, governor Of the Panama canal
zone, was before the senate committee
on interoceanic canals today and gave
his testimony in connection with the
Investigation Of the canal work. In re-
spo use to a request from Chairman
Willard, Governor Magoon outlined
conditions upon the isthmus when he
was assigned to duty there last spring.
He had he said, found an excellent Or
ganization for the government zone,
but men there were much overworked
and very anxious over the possible eff
fects of the reorganization. No remOy-
ais were made The sanitary force was
also well organized and 1t had done and
is now doing excellent work. The gov
eminent had been especially fortunate
in securing in the force a number of
army men who had been engaged in the
sanitation Of Cuba
Governor Magoon cOntended that
fever conditions in Panama are better
thai formerly.
Doubtful Question Raised.
Under examination by Senator Nor
gan, the question was raised whether
the courts, as constituted by the 18TH
milan canal commission, could deny to
an American citizen his inherent right
to trial by Jury when charged with a
capital Offense.
Judge Magoon said that presented a
serious question. In general discus
sion of the subject, Senator Knox said
he should not Ike to decide what the
ruling of the United States supreme
court would be in this matter. Jury
trials are not bad in the canal zone,
nor in the Philippines, but in the latter
+I,e ha % CNyc
tenn as applied to the trial Of a native
Filipino. Senator Knox said he could
not say what the decision would be if
an American, going to possessions of
the United States, were tried and con-
victed i'm like manner.
A recess was then taken.
Government of Canal Zone.
At the afternoon session Judge Ma
COON continued his explanation of the
government of the canal zone. He said
that the apparent 40 per cent profit
made by this government through the
purchase and use of Panamanian
stamps surcharged canal zone"
would not pay for the cost of the pos
tal service in the zone and said legis-
lation would be necessary to adjust
many of them About half the lands
there are claimed by private parties.
One explanation given by Governor
MagOon of the interest the United
States had in establishing the Panama
currency was that the use OF American
money doubled the price Of every
thing, and the people wanted as many
silver dollars worth 100 cents as they
had received pesos worth so cents for
articles sold.
Free Silver Argument.
Discussing the necessity for the
coinage system and the agreement by
which the United States agreed to
maintain the parity and the associated
banks agreed to supply silver to the
commission, Governor MagOOn said
that the new currency became so pop
ular that it was almost Immediately
absorbed by commerce
Senator Morgan asked if the United
States should not establish a sub
treasury on the isthmus to aggregate
the necessary silver. Governor Ma
COON replied that that could be done,
but that as rapidly as the silver was
shipped to treasury and paid out it
would disappear and never come back.
that the people liked the money be-
cause 1t was stable, and it drove out
all other circulating mediums. THAT
is about the most logical free silver
plan exploited since Mr.. Cleveland"
began Senator Morgan. He had meant
to say Mr.. Bryan, but after a pause.
he completed his observance as he be-
gan, and repeated since Mr.. Cleve-
land disappeared
The examination of Governor Ma
COON will be continued Monday.
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