The record-union., 1895-02-02
THE CHICKENS COME HOME TO
ROOST.

Testimony is given daily of the evil
effect of the constitutional amendment
adopted in November last, relative to
land-holding by aliens. Reports from
several quarters desiring increased popu-
lation and augmented capital are multi
plying to the effect that the amendment
referred to is repelling investment by the
very men we desire to have come into
the State,
The risk the desirable alien takes by
investing in realty alarms him, though
it may be his intention to become citi-
zen as soon as possible, and the result is
that he stays away or, if here already,
leaves.
We have knowledge of one very recent
case, where a very desirable man from
Canada came here to settle, invest heavily
and become a citizen, but, being con-
tronted by the amendment. pulled up
stakes and went to another State. 1t
would be interesting to know how many
of these cases occur. The Oroville Ner-
curry says that it has knowledge of the
disastrous operation of the amendment
and hears of cases in other sections. 1t
is a stupid and blundering amendment
anyhow; aimed against the monopoliz-
ing OF large tracts of land by aliens and
against Chinese presumably, it is really
operating to cripple security and invest
ment upon which California relies.
The RECORD UNION pointed out the
danger of the amendment long before the
election; more than one organization by
circular letters called attention to the con-
fused and ambiguous language of the
proposition and to the threat it consti-
tuted.
Now that the election period has passed,
and the matter can be looked at more
coolly, let US see just how we have blum
dered.
The amendment reads that foreigners
of the white race, or of African descent,
eligible to become citizens, may acquire,
possesE, enjoy, transmit and inherit
property, other than real estate, as do na-
tive-born citizens. That such aliens
owning real estate at the time of the adop-
ton OF the amendment may remain such
owners, but that the Legislature may pro-
which such aliens may acquire by descent
or devise after the adoption OF the amend
ment.
Let Us see how that operates. "A," a
Scotchman, home-seeker, favorable to
our form Of government and desirous OF
becoming citizen, arrives in California
with considerable sack OF coin, and all
the energy, pluck, integrity and will
power that good man ought to have. He
is one we want; we welcome him cor
daily. He sets out to buy home, and is
met by the proposition, namely: "You
being white, and foreigner, and eligible
to become q citizen, may buy whisky to
I'LL your skin and degrade your man
hood, and to the neglect of your family;
and you may become a dependent upon
the charity of the county, but you shall
not acquire bit OF ground on which to
build home and pursue an industry in
sobriety and with proyident energy, be-
cause you have not the same right with
the native-born to become home
builder" OF course that Scotchman will
flee from US, if he is sensible man.
Or suppose the Scotchman was in the
State and owner of realty at the time of
the adoption of the amendment; and
with the caution that should distinguish
wise man, he executed his will, know
ing the uncertainty of life, and that he
may die before the law viii permit him
to become citizen. In that will he
leaves his farm and other property in
part to brother, also an alien and an
owner of the adjacent lot of land. Under
the constitutional amendment that prop
erty can pass TO the brother only subject
to the whim of the Legislature, which
may resolve to demand for the State half
the acreage as the price of its consent to
the passage of the remaining half
OF course, with knowledge of such
a possibility, the Scotchman will sell out
and go to a State where his last will and
testament viii not depend for its value
to his heirs upon legislative vacillation
and the political whirl-i-gig.
Take another case. Suppose an irriga-
ton district, railroad company, city
or county organization, entitled, under
the law, to incorporate, desires capital to
promote industry and development, and
asks it upon the security of lands back OF
bonds. Will foreign capitalists lend with
the full knowledge that they cannot un-
der the Constitution, take the land if the
debtor company fails? Suppose such
capital is already leaning upon landed
security for its safety, what will lis own
srs say to the proposition that in case of