Year: 1869

Meeting of the Legislature-SympRthy for the


Cubans-POlitical Offenders PnrdOned- Edu-


cational Matters.


PANAMA, Sept. 13, 1859.


The Legislative Assembly OF the State of Panam a
convened IN this city on the 1st inst, and have met
daily up to the present without having transacted
any business whatever OF interest either to those at
home abroad, and 1t is not likely that anything OF
special note will be accomplished by that worthy
body during the session. Although the Assembly
have been together now twelve days am not aware
that single project for the Improvement OF the
country or for the benefit OF the community has
been brought up for discussion l may mention
that on the Sd inst. the House took into consdera
ton the present state of affairs in Cuba and passed
resolution expressive OF their sympathy with the
Cuban republicans, and urging lhe government Of
this republic to recognize them as beigerents 1t ia
asserted that the Stat OF Cauca has already eX-
pressed similar sentiments.


On the opening ef the Assembly, on the 1st inst
the President Of the State, General Buenaventura
C0rreoso, sent In the usual message which was
read and adopted. The President commenced by
congratulatng the country on peace having been
maintained IN this State since the previous meeting
of the Assembly, year ago, and that order and
tranquility having been fully restored, he was
enabled to grant full pardon TO the citizens who
had been banished on account Of their connection
with the political troubles OF last year. He then
assured Us That the most COfdiat feiatlO0S 0XiSt
between the State OF Panama and the other States Of
the Union and also between the State government
and the foreign representatives and foreign citizens
residing here. The President next alludeS to the
crisis through which the lsthmus Is at present pass
Ing and attributes 1t to the completion OF the Pacific
Railroad and the opening Of other means Of inter-
oceanic communication, which have tended to divert
from the Isthmus large amount OF traffic and bus-
ness that would otherwise have come here. He
complains of the sad condition OF public education
throughout the state, and recommends the estab-
lishment or primary school in each district, the
levyiug OF q special tax for the sup
port Of the same and the passage Of
law competing parents to send their chill
dren to the schools. HIS report Of the State
finances Is not at all atternR. The revenue for the
coming year will amount to $3.50, 900, enough to
meet all expenses In times OF peace, but 1t Is neces
sary to sustain large military force here at great
expense, to maintain order, and the revenue Will
therefore not be SUFFICIENT TO cover the outlay. The
report Of the Secretary OF the Treasury puts the
present debt OF the State at S20l 91 but says the
national government owes this state some $500 900,
sum more than sufficient to liquidate the debt and
Is recommended that an attorney be at once sent
to BOgota to look after the recovery og the claim.
The expenses Of the State FOR the year ending An.
gust 81, 1899. amounted to $203, 173. OF this sum
$ll4,257 were expen1ed IN keeping mp The army, and
es,l22 only were expended IN public education -
rather bad state OF affairs in this enlightened age.
There was q balance in the treasury at the date
stated OF $loo1, In paper and coin.