Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-09
HAVE HOT WORDS
FOR PRESIDENT
LABOR CONVENTION ATTACKS
MESSAGE
Resolutions Passed condemnine Roose-
welt for His Stand on Japanese
Question Where California
Is Concerned
BY Associated press.

BY Associated Press
STOCKTON. Jan. S.--The California
State Federation of Labor got down to
real work today and during the after
noon session passed resolutions strong
ly attacking President Roosevelt and
Secretary of Commerce and Labor
Metcalf for their attitudes in relation
to the japanese, and also pronouncing
against the employment of Chinese
coolie labor on the Panama canal. The
resolutions were passed unanimously,
the one attacking the president by a
rising vote. The resolutions follow.
Whereas, President Roosevelt in his
message to the present session of con-
gress makes certain statements con-
oerning the attitude of the people Of
San Francisco and zone or two other
places" in their treatment of the Jap
anese now resident in these localities,
with reference specifically to the COM
mon school regulations, adopted by the
San Francisco board of education, pro-
viding for the accommodation in sepa-
rate school houses of Caucasian and
Mongolian pupils; and
Whereas. The president CharaCterizes
these regulations as evidence of a
"most unworthy feeling" as wicked
absurdity" and as confession of in
feriority in our civilizations" and
Whereas, Based upon such conception
of our municipal and state policy, and
the motives inspiring it, the president
declares his intention to deal sum-
marily," so far as the present power of
the federal government permits. with
the Every small body of our citizens
that act badly" and gives notice that
Sin the matter now before me, affecting
the japanese, everything that it is in
my power to do so will be done. and all
of the forces, military and civil of the
United States which l may lawfully
employ will be so employed" and
Whereas, The president, still pro-
ceeding upon the grounds herein noted,
makes certain recommendation to
congress, to wit: THAT an act be
passed specifically providing for the
naturalization of japanese who come
here intending to become American
citizens" and that the criminal and
civil statutes of the United States be
so amended and added to as to enable
the president, acting for the United
States government, which is respon
sible in our international relations, to
enforce the rights of aliens under
treaties" Therefore, be it
Threats UncaIIed For
Resolved, by the California State
Federation of Labor in meeting as
sembled, That the views expressed by
President Roosevelt concerning our at
titude toward the japanese indicate
misinformation or misconstruction of
the facts, that his threat to deal sum-
marily" with us is therefore uncalled
for and his request for an enlarge
ment of his powers quite unnecessary;
further,
Resolved, That the action of the San
y Francisco board of education, in pro-
viding separate school houses for Cau-
casian and Mongolian pupils which
action is authorized and in fact re-
quired by the state constitution, is in
dorsed and supported by the practical
ly unanimous sentiment of the state,
and cannot by any reasonable process
of construction be regarded either in
intent or in effect as shutting them
(the Japanese) out from the common
schools" and therefore not open to the
terms of expletive which the president
has applied to it; further,
Resolved, That we insist upon, and
shall to the limit of our power main
tain our right, under the constitution
of the United States and the consti-
ton of California. and as a matter of
practical necessity to the moral and
mental well being of our people to
segregate the pupils in the common
schools in such manner as reason and
experience shall dictate, and to adopt
and enforce such other regulations as
may be deemed wise and eXpedient in
the conduct of our educational and
other state or municipal affairs; fur
ther,
Resolved That in its treatment of the
Japanese and other aliens now resi-
dent within its borders, California can
not justly be charged with unfair dis
elimination, but on the contrary, is en-
titled to credit FOR liberality exceed
ing that of many other states in the
matter of the rights and privileges ac-
corded aliens; further,
DepIore Tenor of Message
Resolved, That we deplOre the tenor
of President ROOsevelt's message in
so far as it treats of the Japanese in
the common schools of San Francisco,
as misleading in it's statements of fact,
unwarranted in it's inferences and con-
clusions and unworthy the dignity of
the high office whence it emanates;
further,
Resolved, That we resent the presi-
dents threats of cOmpulsiOu by armed
force in a matter clearly within the
purview of municipal and state au-
thority, as insulting to the state and as
an intolerable reflection upon its rights
as a sovereign constituent Of the United
States; further
Resolved, That we are opposed to
the presidents recommendations that
an act be passed specifically providing
for the naturalization of Japanese and
that the powers of the federal govern
ment be enlarged for the purpose of
subverting the proper authority of this
and other states; further
Resolved. That the powers vested in
the federal government by the rsspec-
tive states are designed for use in pro-
tecting the latter i'm the exercise Of
their reserved rights ANA functions:
consequently any attempt or threat "a
use these powers to prevent or OBJ
struct the freest possible exercise of