Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-27
Governors Advice to Cali
fornia Legislature.
Urges That Body Not 10 En-
barrass Federal Authorities
And Suggests Taking a Census to
To Get at Real Facts.

had the effect of crystallizing the SEN
tilncnt for and against the bills intro
duced by Drew and Johnson, against
which President Roosevelt has invoked
the governors power. The President
Informed the governor that it would
be extremely dangerous for the Legis-
lature to enact any laws that might be
construed by Japan as discriminatory
He wired Gov. GiIlett today that an
other letter to him was on the way.
This is expected to throw more light
on the situation as regards Japan and
America. Grove l., Johnson, author OF
the bill segregating Japanese in resi-
Dental quarters at the option of mu-
inequalities, moved today when the
measure came up for third reading,
that 1t be made a special order for to-
morrow.
Two Of the japanese measures will
be before the lower house tomorrow.
The bill by A. ~ Drew giving aliens
the right to own land was set for con-
sidera ton tomorrow at the request of
the author. after the governor had in
dictated that he desired such IegiSla-
ton held up.
Speaker Stanton and the Assembly
organization are against all of the
bills objected to by the national adj
ministration. The fight for them will
come from Grove l.. Johnson, a San
Franz isco delegate and those assembly
men who have many union labor con-
stitucnts. The governors message in
part Is as follows:
'"To the Senate and Assembly of the
State of California:
"TEere is certain legislation now
pending before you which I believe to
be of grave concern, not only to our
state but to the nation as we'll. and
which should be most thoughtfully
considered before it is acted upon.
Certain bills have been introduced.
some of which have been favorably
reported by your committee. indirect
ly intended to affect the Japanese peo-
ple-at least, such is the impression
abroad These bills have attracted the
notice of the whole nation and have
caused Japan to call the attention OF
our government to them. They have
produced an agitation not only in our
own country, but throughout Japan
and the Japanese minister of foreign
affairs has stated to the authorities at
Washington that if the bills should
be passed the government of Japan
would consider it very embarrassing.
The governor then reviews what has
been done by the governments of the
United States and Japan resulting in a
compact for the restriction of immi
grafton and says that the question OF
Immigration is one for the Federal
government alone to settle.
'If it is found that the Japanese cool
les continue to pour into the state says
the governor, leasing and purchasing ag-
ricultural lands and changing white set
Elements to Japanese to the detriment of
the state and its citizens, then it is our
plain duty to call the attention of the
government to the situation that prompt
action be taken in the matter.
while the settlement of the question
of immigration is pending, We should be
very careful about passing any legislation
not absolutely necessary for our imme-
date protection. We must remember
that no law that this state can enact
will stop Japanese immigration Con-
gless alone is vested with authority to
pass such legislation and we must also
| recognize the fact that the Japanese
among us are the subjects of a friendly
nation and are entitled to the same treat
privileges and immunities as are guaran-
teed to the subjects of the most favored
| nations
Discussing the pending bill the gov
error says he sees no reason for barring
aliens from becoming directors of corpor-
atoms. and if such are to be discouraged
f,,,, -,
ted to own land in the state. the law
making such proposition should affect
the subjects of all nations alike.
What we want is to have the question
of immigration settled amicably and set
tied right" says the governor. and con-
tinues: THE President of the United
States and secretary of state have is
sued a warning against pressing bills of
the nature proposed. Their warning
should be needed. This matter is one in
which the whole country is interested"
In concluding his message the governor
says
Il would, therefore. recommend that a
sufficient appropriation be made to ena-
BILE the state to take a census showing
the number of Japanese now in the state,
he number classed as laborers and those
classed as agriculturists; the number of
acres of land owned by Japanese and the
number of acres leased. and to get such
other and further information as may
be useful in making a proper report to
the President of the United States and to
Congress. With such a census we can
ascertain hereafter whether or not the
Japanese population of this state is in
creasing or decreasing and whether or not
they are extending their real property
holdings"
1t is told of the youth of a young
German prince. many years ago. that