Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-06
MEASURE Is BITTERLY
FOUGHT BY DEMOCRATS
Section Giving the Executive Military,
Civil and judicial Powers, including
lswMakins, Meets Spirited Attack
Author of Sill Claims Precedent
for Procedure.
CBy Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON. ID. C., Jan. D
With the Democrats fighting every
inch of the way, the Mann bill, pro-
viding for the administration OF the
Panama canal zone and centralizing
the government thereof in the Presi-
dent of the United States. passed the
house today by a vote of 1l9 10 102.
The vote was along strict party lines.
The minority kept the house in ses-
sion until O'Clock this evening by
offering amendment after amendment
and by demanding tellers on each
vote.
A futile effort was made by Repre-
sentative Richardson. of Alabama, TO
have the measure recommitted to the
committee on intere state and foreign
commerce, an aye and nay vote re-
sulting. 10i ayes and 1876 nays
Section two of the bill, which con-
fers upon the President military, civil
and judicial powers. including the
power to make the laws. YVES the OBJ
ject of spirited attack. Representative
Keifer. of Ohio, joining the Democrats
in the fight.
Their Attitude.
The attitude of the majority and
minority On this section may be best
described by question propounded
10 Representative Townsend, of Michi-
gan, by Representative Garrett. or
Tennessee, and by Mr.. Towrsend's
nsply.
DO you believe that congress has
any power under the constitution 10
confer legislative power on the Presi-
dent?' asked Mr. Garrett.
Ordinarily. no. replied Mr.. Town
send. In this instance. YES. We are
in Panama digging a canal and it IS
necessary for the President 10 have
the power to make rules and regula-
tons for the government of the zone
while that work is in progress"
Mann Claims Precedent.
Representative Mann. author of the
bill. claimed that precendent for dele
cation of such rover in the executive
was found in similar action by Demo
crate congresses at the time of the
Louisiana purchase and again when
Florida was ceded to the United
States by Spain.
Defending his party. Representative
Harrison, Of New York, said that dis
turbed internal conditions made sucn
action necessary. but that 6espotic
government in this and Other territory
Il continued no longer than is neces-
sary to establish local government
Speeches were made by Represen-
tativss Underwood OF Alabama;
Hardwick, Of Georgia. and others in
opposition to this section. A motion
of Mr.. HaEdwick to strike out the
section entirely. was lost by the close
vote of IS to 30.
Does Away With Commission.
The bill. as il goes 10 the senate,
authorizes the Pres.ds Mt TO have com
plefed the Panama canal and to ap-
poist a director general Of the canal
and the canal zone. thus doing away
with abe canal commission II IN
vests the judicial power OF the zone
IN one circuit court and such inferior
courts as the President may consti-
tuse. and allows appeal 10 the Su-
prece Court Of the United states in
civil cases involving 5000 and IN
criminal cases punishable by death OF
life Imprisonment Trial By jury is
granted in all criminal prosecutions
Cor felony
Since the expiration of the Sstn
congress there has been no act N
terms authorizing governor OF the
canal zone. but President Roosevelt
continued a. the civil governor IN the
xoue after the act Of April %. 1894,
which became effective sufomaticai-
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