The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-19
BILLS HELD UP.
Proposed Anti-Japanese Legis-
lation i'm California
Is Halted by a Telegram From
President Roosevelt.
LETTER is FOLLOWING
Intimates Legislators Don't
Know What They Are AOutb.
A Vigorous Use of the Big Stick
Is Anticipated.
LETTER is FOLLOWING

Sacramento, Cal, Jan. 19.-The
Sacramento Union today says:
President Roosevelt has taken a
hand in the anti-Japanese legislation
now before the California legislature
and has asked the governor to take
steps to have all legislation held up
until the president can be heard in the
matter. In telegram sent Saturday
this request was embodied and a let
ter is enroute to Sacramento which
will give the chief executives views
and wishes in the matter of legislation
against the little brown men,"
President Roosevelt's telegram fol-
lows:
washington, Jan. Is.
''Hon James N. Gillett. Governor of
California, Sacramento, Cal:
I'VE are greatly concerned at news
paper reports on anti-Japanese
legislation in California's legislature.
Have written you at length on the
subject. Earnestly hope that no pro-
gress will be made on bills until you
have chance to receive my letter, and
with leaders of two houses. My
knowledge of the international situa-
ton particularly with reference to
emigration of Japanese laborerS. from
United States satisfies me that pas
sage of proposed legislation would be
of incalculabIe damage to state of
California as we'll as to whole Union.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Gilletts Reply.
Governor Gillett sent the following
Sacramento. Cal. Jan. IS.
Theodore Roosevelt, President United
States, Washington, D. C.:
Telegram received. Have caused
bills to be held up until l can hear
from you. Copies of bills introduced
of To f0VpfhPT
briefs on same mailed to you.
~. \. GILLETT.'
The Drew measure prevents owner
ship of property for more than seven
years by aliens and this measure was
reported out of committee today
favorably. and was to have passed
through the assembly. 1t was held
UP until Wednesday when it was made
special order Of business and, ac-
cording to Governor Gillett, will prob
ably be postponed still further when
that time arrives.
Governor Gillett said:
81 received the message from
President Roosevelt Saturday evening
after dinner and answered after see
ing Assemblyman Drew, who agreed
to await the letter from the president.
There is this about the matter, that
is not fully understood: Japan does
not look to any state in settlement of
differences, but to the head of the gov
eminent at Washington. In this way
there is much known there of which
the different communities and states
of the Union are ignorant For this
reason, as stated by the president, he
knows more relative to existing con-
ditions and his wishes are to be
respected"
Previous to receiving the telegram
from President Roosevelt, Governor Gill
lett received another from Senator
Frank P. Flint, saying that the presi-
dent wanted action upon the japanese
legislation withheld until he could send
a communication to the governor and
this had been forwarded last Saturday.
This telegram was followed in the ev
ening by that from the president and
the proposed Japanese legislation will
remain where it is until word is re-
ceived from the governor along lines
outlined by President Roosevelt, who, it
is expected, will swing the big stick,
again in his letter.