The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-08
ELECTION IN PANAMA
 ENDS A MERRY CAMPAIGN

Down in the republic of Panama, where elections are held on Sunday in order that they may not interfere with work. vigorous Presidential campaign has been wased. cllminat- ing yesterday in the casting of the ballots that, decide the issue. The United States has been called in to referee the match. and army officers from Uncle Sams forces in the canal zone presided over the disturbance. The participation of Uncle Sam is en- tirelyi friendly, both parties having Joined in asking that he umpire the game. Gen. Pedro A. Diaz is the admins tration candidate for President of Panama, heading the ticket of the Pa- triotic Union, while the Opposition party has as it's standard-bearer Dr. Belisario Porras, former Panama min iSter at Washington. ss
 The Presidential election is the third in the history of the little Central American republic, but the first was merely a ratification meeting, with only one candidate in the field In the campaign just closed the old par ty lines between Liberal and Conser- vative have been broken, and the conservative clements Of both old par ties have joined in the Patriotic Un- ion to support the candidate put for ward by the present administration. Dr. Pablo Arosemena, now President of Panama, supported the Union and it's candidate, Don Pedro A. Diaz, who owns a big bakery and makes a large anna. His past political experience has been confined to governing the province of Panama and in filling the office of treasurer of the republic.
 The Lfberalgor Opposition party had a popular candidate in Dr. Porras. and he had the support of the entire daily press of the nation-consiSting of two newspapers. Dr. Belisario Porras has never had any experience in anything so prosaic as the baking of bread He is a spectacular char acter, an orator, a lawyer and a prac- tical politician. He was a. friend of Zelaya in the palmy days of Nfcara- qua. He has been naixed up in sev- eral revolutions, and at the time of the coup that resulted in the over throw of Colombian sovereignty in the Isthmus he attempted to lead coun- ter revolution to drive the Yankee pigs into the sea- The Panamans did not show any enthusiasm for the pig chase, and Dr. Porras shook the dust of his ungrateful country from his feet. refusing citizenship in the new republic Later he changed his mind, and a. couple of years ago had become so popular with the people that the administration sent him to Washing ton as minister. Absence only made the hearts of the Panamans grow fonder, however, and if the election could have been held a few months ago there is no doubt that he would have won A majority of the lead- CTS in the affairs of the republic, it is believed, prefer the ''safe and sane" policies of Diaz, and these leaders control the vote of the illiterate rab- ble tflat composes three-quarters of the population Of the little country. Unless the ignorant natives have changed since the last election, they vote as they are told, and fin all prob ability most Of them were told to vote for Dan Ddaz And so it may be that the executive mansion will blossom forth with this sign:
 BREAD, PIES AND CAKES BAK- ED FRESH EVERY DAY.