Evening star., 1909-02-05
G|LLETT CALLS HALT STUDENTS FIGHT FIRE.
Asks California LEGISLATURE to Alarm Calls Them From Uni
Reconsider Vote versity of Virginia.
ON PRESIDENTS REQUEST FACE DANGER FOR HOURS
Declaring School Loss Estimated at 100000 Caused
Bill "Most Offensive" at Charlottesville
MAKES APPEAL TO PATRIOTISM AID FROM RICHMOND
Five of the
and City Destroyed Many Busi
the Whole Damaged.
Asks California Legislature to
Reconsider Vote.
ON PRESIDENTS REQUEST
Quotes His Message Declaring School
Bill "Most Offensive
MAKES APPEAL TO PATRIOTISM
Members Urged to Put Sentiment
Aside and Regard Welfare of
the Whole Nation.

SACRAMENTO, Cal. February s.
Gov. Gillett sent the following special
message bearing on Japanese legislation
TO the senate and assembly today:
Gentlemen: Believing that there
should be a further and more care1ul
consideration of assembly bill No. a.
which provides that boards of school
trustees shall have the power to estab-
lish separate schools for children of
Japanese and that thereafter they shall
not be admitted into any other public
school, and further believing that the
enactment of provisions of said bill will
at this time affect the interests Of the
entire nation. and perhaps seriously.
most respectfully request you to recon-
slider the vote by which the said bill was
passed and take the matter up for fur
Their and most careful consideration.
Within a few hours after the passage
of said bill, the President of the United
States, alarmed at the possible conse-
quences of the enactment of such law,
sent to me a telegram containing the fol-
lowing language:
This Is the most offensive bill of all
and in my judgment is clearly unconsti-
tutional. and We shall at once have to
test 1t in the courts. Can it not be stop
ped in the legislature or by veto?'
"A telegram SO forcible as this coming
from the President of the United States
is entitled to full consideration and de-
mands that no hasty or Ill considered ac-
ton be taken by this state which may
involve the whole country.
Time to Lay Aside Sentiment.
1t seems to me it is time to lay senti-
ment and personal opinion and other con-
sderations aside and take broad and
unprejudiced view of the important ques-
tions involved In the proposed legisla-
ton and in a calm and dispassionate
manner pass upon them; keeping in mind
not only the interests of our state, but
of the nation and the duty we owe to it
in observing the treaties entered into by
il with friendly power
The governor calls attention to the pro-
test of Japan against the resolution or
the San Francisco school board OF two
years ago, which directed that or1entais
be compelled to attend their own schools.
and the action of the federal government
in commencing suit to have the order
rendered nugatory. This suit was dis
missed when the school board withdrew
the offensive resolution.
The governor declares that there Is no
present danger to the California schools
by reason of the attendance or japanese
pupils, SO far is known.
Without expressing any opinion there
upon the governor quotes the treaty guar
anteeing to japan the rights and privileges
of the most favored nations.
Opponents Doubtful of Success.
The leading opponents of anti-Japanese
mi
today of their ability to secure recon-
sideration of the vote by which the school
segregation bill was passed yesterday.
They frankly admitted that they did
not believe they could turn enough votes
to make up the forty-one required for re-
consideration
Walter Leeds of Los Angeles, who
changed his vote yesterday that he might
give notice of reconsideration. was one OF
the most peSsimiStic. j. z. Transue, an
other supporter of the governor, said
that the reports from Washington that
Senators Perkins and Flint were in favor
of separate schools for Japanese did not
improve the situation in the assembly, SO
far as reconsideration was concerned
Bill Popular One.
The school bill was popular with the
members, because in all the large towns
the teachers have had to wrestle with
the problem of placing Japanese of ma
ture years in seats alongside OF girls an6
boys OF tender years. The result has
been bad, and experience led to actor
of the San Francisco school board two
years ago, which called out strong
Japanese protest
At that time President Roosevelt prom
ised that he would arrange the matter
with Japan, but as nothing has been done
in these two years Californians naturally
feel sore, and this sentiment was re
fiected in the vote of IS to ~ in favor o
the bill. Even though this bill passes the
senate Gov. Gillett is pretty sure t
veto 1t.
Johnson's other bills are scarcely wor
thy of consideration. as they are extreme
measures, which would not pass. ever
had President Roosevelt not made pro
tests against them.
Gov. Gillett issued statement express
ing his approval of the legislatures ac
tion in turning down the Drew anti-alieI
bill. He said:
Gov. Gillett's Statement.
II am greatly pleased with The resul
of the vote on the Drew anti-aIien bill
for many reasons. 1t shows that tn,
members OF our legislature appreciat,
the fact that this is no trifling matte
and that they do not intend to pass radi
cal laws which will greatly embarras
the federal government in Its negotia
tions with Japan.
THE friendliest relations exist between
the Japanese government and ours. and
am glad to know that they will not b.
disturbed by us. The defeat of Tn
measure was a wise move. because l
enacted il would have greatly hindere,
the development of our state.
I'VE need foreign capital for the de
yelopment OF our valleys, mines and sea
ports. and II would be regrettable IL W
were to deny all aliens the right TO com
here and make their homes
II am sure that the vote on this meas
ure is indicative OF what the result vii
he when other anti-Japanese measure
are taken up by the assembly, and tha
this agitation. which is very embarrass
ing to our own government, is now quiet
cd"