New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-29
GOV. MAGOON HERE.
More Light on POuItney BigeIozC'S
Canal Dissertations.

Governor Charles E. Magoon Of the Panama
Canal Zone reached here yesterday on the
steamer Finance from Colon. He goes to Wash
ington to-day, where at date yet to be set
he viii attend a meeting of the Canal Commits
son' which is to hear a full report Of the work
IN the zone from the advisory board of engi-
neers He will remain I'm the States two weeks.
The Governor went direct to the Waldorf
where he was Joined by Mr.. Shonts
Mr.. Magoon said there hadn't been a case Of
yellow fever on the zone in seventy four days,
and that while it would be absurd to claim
that there would be no return of the disease or
its twin companion. malaria, he believed that
the government had a scientific and practical
knowledge of the causes of the disease and
would always be able to stay any epidemic.
The Governor, unwittngy, threw a new light
on the discussion provoked by Poutney Bige-
lows article by declaring in answer to a
query, that Mr.. BigeIow landed on the zone on
Thanksgiving Day, a day which, the Gov
ernor declared, there was not tap Of work
done anywhere in the zone. Mr.. BigeIow il
Is held, stated in his article that he had seen
the laborers at work and made a thorough study
OF the conditions The article at least was
based this point
Mr. Shonts, who was sitting by the Governor
while he made this remark was a bit sur
prised.
why, Governor" he said that throws an
entirely new light on the subject I'm sure no
one thought Of that. Mr.. Bigelow must have
slept a little while and dreamed a little while"
Yes it was Thanksgiving Day" the Gov
ernor continued, when Mr.. Bigelow arrived in
the canal remainder it we'll because there
wasn't a tap of work done, and I spent the
greater part Of the day visiting several schools
where entertainments were held and attended
a dinner in the evening.
Mr.. Bigelow came on a steamer that docI<ed
that morning. The executive house was closed
and ali public offices. Mr. Bigeow. I learned
from my secretary, had left his card He called
at my house, but as l say 1 was not at the
Office or at home during the entire day He
left the zone about o'clock the same day, and
the next day sailed out Of Colon. I submit
the rest to your own judgment, bearing In mind
that, I have already said it was Thanks
giving Day and not tap Of work was done.
I wish to say this much however. that Mr.
Bigelow has done US a service. I am indebted
TO him in that he was specific in his criticisms
He cited things. designated and laid stress on
certain points. while our other critics swept
everything before them. designating nothing in
particular. They gave US no chance TO defend
ourselves but he did. I satisfied that every
one Of his contentious have been disproved But
just the same he did US a service"
Touching on the health of the zone the Gov
ernor said that the government had completed
a system of draining the old swamps infested
by the malarial mosquito. and eventually would
have all of them dried up. He said all told.
there were nearly nineteen thousand persons
employed down there. This includes employees
down to the grade Of laborer. Asked about the
charge that gambling and dsorderIy houses ex-
isted the Governor said:
There isn't a gambling house or house of i'll
repute on the zone. This is equally as malicious
as the stories about the government importing
women for immoral purposes These stories
and let me emphasize this-are thoroughly dis
credited by the conduct OF the them
selves. our police have yet to make their first
arrest of a woman on a charge Of immortality.
You know the laborerS employed on the canal
work are negroes from Martinique speaking
French jargon. Now, you can't ask or get a
white woman to work for them. Somebody must
cook, somebody must wash their clothing, some
one keep the house In order. That's what these
women are doing. They are dOmestics employed
i'm boarding houses. in offices scrub women
and in other branches of domestic work. ! know
some Of them employed I'm ministers houses as
cooks.
Undoubtedly some Of them are living with
men, too. l make no pretence 10 deny this.
Wherever this IS fact have the word
Of both the man and the woman that they were
married years before It's hardly within our
province to deny these statements. We must
give them justice in this. in other things.
They a different race from In their
country the marriage ceremony Is largely a
parade, and costs so much money! told
S6O-that they deny themselves the luxury OF
such ceremonies.
In many Instances the man goes to the
woman and invites her 10 live with him until
they have gathered enough OF property rights
as II were, to have this public ceremony They
live together and are recognized man and
wife, and they have sense, too Of the propriety
of things.