PANAMA.

Colonist, Issue 23, 8 January 1858, Page 4

PANAMA.

By way of San Francisco we have news from Panama to the 17th September. PROPOSED LEGISLATION AFFECTING THE ISTHMUS. Nothing of very special interest has occurred in Panama during the last fortnight. The Legislature has been in session, since the Ist instant, and it has chiefly: been confined to discussing the various projects recommended by the Governor in'his annual message,—the most prominent features of which have reference to the raising of a revenue for the support ofthe State Government, which is now sadly bankrupt. To that end the Governor recommends an increase of 40 per cent, upon the present rates of taxes paid by commercial* and other business houses; but very inconsiderately suggests that all persons engaged in business whose capital does not exceed 300 dollars be exempt from the payment of any taxes.. This would throw nearly the whole burden of taxation on the foreigners resident on the Isthmus, as but very few natives of the country engaged in business have a capital exceeding this amount. The message in other respects is very acceptable. Among other liberal measures recommended by the Governor are the passage of a general amnesty in favour of all political offenders' who were banished from the country some twelve months ago; and increased privileges to the foreign residents of the Isthmus, allowing all such to vote for and to hold certain civil offices who Have resided four years in the State, who can speak and write the Spanish language, and whose yearly income amounts to one thousand dollars.