{"value"=>"<p>Series documents Panamanian politics dating to the nineteenth century. This series contains a section about the general history of Panamanian politics consisting of copies of constitutions of Panama from 1932-1973, articles written by Westerman, and printed matter about presidents and other individuals prominent in nineteenth and early twentieth century Panamanian politics. Among the papers are documents regarding investments and military debt, 1908-1910. The twentieth century part of the series is arranged chronologically by the dates the politician held office. The balance of the series contains material which, for the most part, was generated at the time the president or military officer maintained power; the term of office is noted in brackets. The first president for whom there are files is Arnulfo Arias Madrid, elected president for the first of several times in 1940, the last occasion being 1984. The files for the early presidents consist of news clippings about the election and campaign literature. The first president for whom there is documentation pertaining to the presidential election is José A. Remón who was the Renovador Party candidate in 1952. The Renovador Party was formed in the 1930s, but had not successfully put a presidential candidate into office until 1952 when Panamanians of West Indian descent were registered to vote. These voters were instrumental in electing Remón into office, and in 1956 they again succeeded with Ernesto de la Guardia, Jr. There is a list of West Indian registered voters of the Renovador Party, and a second list, for the deputy (representative to the National Assembly) elections, showing tabulated votes by party.</p> <p>Westerman was most closely associated with Ernesto de la Guardia, Jr., president from 1956- 1960. Westerman worked for his election via the National Patriotic Coalition Party which is part of the Renovador Party. There are election lists and expense records for food and gasoline which were distributed to party members. As the head of the employment section for this political party, Westerman was a power broker and recommended hundreds of Panamanians, many of West Indian descent, for employment opportunities from 1955 until 1960. There is a daily ledger of requests and letters of appointment signed by de la Guardia. In 1960 he signed a presidential decree for appointments to the Ministry of Public Works, and the list of supporters to whom he gave jobs is included in the series. The files on de la Guardia's administration include the swearing-in ceremony, his speeches, correspondence with Westerman, news clippings concerning de la Guardia's visit to Haiti accompanied by Westerman, news clippings pertaining to the impeachment petition against de la Guardia headed by his Vice-President Temistocles Diaz, and many other news clippings. Lastly, there are letters and news clippings about a battle between National Guard troops and rebels in Veraguas Province, in 1959.</p> <p>As a staunch member of the National Patriotic Coalition Party, Westerman collected news articles and lists regarding the 1964 presidential and deputy elections representing many political parties and city council and national assembly elections. He also gathered information about the electoral code reform and Electoral Tribunal. There are news clippings discussing the presidencies of Marco Aurelio Robles and Arnuflo Arias Madrid; Madrid is also represented by his addresses to the Organization of American States in 1968, and the military junta which ruled the country from 1968-1969. An anti-communist, Westerman wrote articles opposing the Communist Party. Included here is a draft of one of those article, for The Miami Herald, and a letter, as well as other writings.</p> <p>The 1960s in Panama are characterized by the loss of presidential power and the military takeover by Brigadier General Omar Torrijos. Documenting this period is information about the exile of prominent citizens to Guayaquil, Ecuador in addition to testimony of two Panamanian citizens on behalf of the Panamanian Committee for Human Rights before the U. S. House of Representatives. There is a small amount of information about Brigadier General Manual A. Noriega as well as other rulers of the 1980s. This part of the series is arranged chronologically by the presidential administration.</p>"}