Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-02-10
GOV. MAGooN TEsTlFIEs.

Washington, Feb. 9.-Charles s.
MagOon. governor of the Panama canal
zone, was before the Senate committee
on inter-oceanic canals today and gave
his testimony in connection with the
| investigation of the canal work. He
| outlined conditions on the isthmus
when he was assigned to duty there
| last spring. He said he found an eX-
| cellent organization for the government
| of the zone but that the men were
much Overworked. No removals We're
made.
The sanitary force was also well Or
ganized and it had done, and is now
| doing, he said, excellent work.
He gave details regarding the ra-
wages Of yellow fever last season and
said that while most of the victims
were white men, some were colOred.
The natives We're not, however, entire
ly immune. He said he had accepted
the doctrine that mosquitoes are the
agents in spreading yellow fever but
| that no other preventative method had
been neglected. Gov. Magoon said the
authorities are also proceeding on the
theory that malaria is spread by mo-
squitOs.
Gov. Magoon said the chief justice of
| the canal zone was not a citizen of the
United States and that the selection
| was based on the precedents establish
ed in the Philippine Islands and Porto
Rico. He saw no reason why such an
appointment could not be properly
made. Senator Knox questioned the
governor as to truth of Mr.. Poultney
BigelOw's charges as to the incapacity
of the court and Gov Magoon replied
| that the chief justice had been for
years chief justice of the Panama SUI
preme court and was an able lawyer.
He also characterized Judges Collins
and Gudger as good lawyers. He had
heard many compliments for the court
and no complaints.
Under examination by Senator Nor
gan the question was raised whether
the courts, as constituted by the 18TH
miaE canal commission could deny to
an American citizen his inherent right
to trial by jury when charged
with capital offense. Judge MagoOn
said that presented a serious ques-
ton. In general discussion of
the subject Senator Knox said he
the ruling OF the United States
supreme court would be in this matter.
Jury trials are not had in the canal
zone nor in the Philippines and in the
latter the supreme court had upheld
the system as applied to the trial of a
native Filipino.
Judge Magoon said that the apparent
40 per cent. profit made by this govern
ment through the purchase and use Of
Panama stamps surcharged canal
zone" would not pay the cost of the
postal service in the zone. He testified
that legislation would be necessary to
adjust many of the land titles in the
zone. About half Of the lands are
claimed by private parties. One ex-
PLANTATION given by Gov Magoon of the
interest the United States had in es-
tab:ishing the Panama currency was
| that the use of American money doub-
led the price of everything for the rea-
son that the people wanted as many
silver dollars worth 100 cents as they
| received pesos worth so cents for arti-
cies sold.
Discussing the necessity for the coin
age system ana the agreement by
"AANAf eh- ChAtu otdtcS dSTctQ W
maintain the parity and associated
banks agreed to supply silver to the
zone, Gov. Magoon said that the new
currency became SO popular that it
was almost Immediately absorbed by
| commerce. Senator Morgan asked if
the United States should not establish
sub-treasury on the isthmus to ag-
gregate the necessary silver. Gov. Ma
goon replied that that could Be done,
but that as rapidly as the silver was
shipped to the treasury and paid out it
would disappear and never come back
| that the people liked the money be-
cause it was stable and it drove out
all other circulating mediums.
That is about the most logical free
silver plan exploited since Mr.. Cleve-
land" began Senator Morgan. He
had meant to say Mr.. Bryan but after
| a pause he completed his observation
as he began repeated "Since Mr.. Cleve-
land disappeared"
The examination Of Gov. Magoon will
be resumed Monday.