Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-10
REPLIES TO BIGELoW
GOV. MAaooN REFUTEs AN AS
sERTIoH OF CRITIC.


At the afternoon session of the Senate
committee on interoceanic canals yesterday
Gov Magoon continued his explanation of
the government of the canal zone. He said
that the apparent 40 per cent profit made
by the government through the purchase
and use of the Panama stamps surcharged
Canal Zone would not pay the cost of the
postal service in the zone. He testihed at
lei 9Th concerning land titles In the zone
and said legislation would be necessary 10
adjust many of them. About half OF the
lands there are claimed by private parties.
One explanation given by Gov. Magoon oi
the interest the United States had In es-
Ia biishing the Panama currency was that
the use of American money doubled the
price of everything. for the reason ina. s,is
people wanted as many silver dollars worth
100 cents as they had received pesos worth
90 cents for articles sold.
Bigelow's Criticism Refuted.
Gov. Magoon mentioned the fact that the
chief justice of the canal zone was not
citizen of the United States. Senator Nor
gan made several inquiries concerning the
propriety of such an appointment, and W.T.
ness replied that the selection was based
on the precedents established in the Phil
ippine Islands and Porto Rico. He saw no
reason why such an appointment couio not
be properly made.
Senator Knox questioned the governor as
to the truth of MT. Poultney Bigelows
charges as to the incapacaty of the court.
and Gov. Magoon replied that the chle.
Justice had been for years CHIEF 1ustice OF
the Panama supreme court and Is an able
lawyer.
He also spoke In praise of Judges Collins
and Gudger, saying they were good lawyers
Gudger speaks Spanish and Collins french.
He had heard many compliments for the
court and no complaint.
Right to Jury Trial.
Upon examina ton by Senator Morgan, the
question was raised whether the courts. as
constituted by the isthmian canal commits
sion could deny to an American citizen his
inherent right to trial by jury when
charged with a capital ofrense. Judge
Magoon said that presented a serious ques-
ton.
In a general discussion of the subject,
Senator Knox said he should not like to de-
eide what 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 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 convicted in like manner.
recess was then taken until pm.
The Currency System.
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, Gov. Magoon said
that the new currency became SO popular
that 1t was almost Immediately absorbed by
commerce.
Senator Morgan asked If the United States
should not establish a subtreasury on the.
ithmus to aggregate the necessary silver.
Gov. Magoon 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 because 1t was
staple, and it drove out all other circulating
mediums.
That is about the most logical free silver
plan exploited since Mr.. Cleveland" be-
gan Senator Morgan. He had meant to say
Mr.. Bryan, but after pause he completed
his observation as he began and repeated
'since Mr. Cleveland disappeared"
The examination of Gov. Magoon will be
resumed Monday.