The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-04
OPEN DOOR WINS.
Bill Prohibiting Aliens From
Owning Land Defeated
In the California Legislature
by rs to %.
A TEST OF STRENGTH.
Other Anti-Japanese Measures
Appear to Be Doomed.
State Said to Contain 10000
japanese War Veterans.

Sacramento. Cal. Feb. 4-with the
defeat Of the Drew bill in the assem-
bly, all hope OF passing any OF the anti
japanese measures has been practical
ly abandoned by the sponsors of the
new regulations One OF the remark
able features Of the defeat of the Drew
bill was the fact that it was accom-
plished IN the face of an audience of
1000 people, who wildly applauded ev-
cry auti-JapaneSe sentiment uttered by
the proponents of the measure Both
sides made dramatic appeals to the
packed galleries and in one Of these
Nathan c Coghlan. a San Francisco
assemblyman. who was an opponent OF
the bill made a bitter attack on the
japanese He has a large labor union
constituency and his opposition was
based on the plea that the bill would
be distinctly harmful to labor by driv-
ing capital away
Governor GilIett was highly pleased
with the action of the assembly. It is
expected that he will now proceed with
the measure which is designed to Sc
cure an exact census of the japanese
in this state Most Of the opposition
of its opponents was based either on
grounds extraneOUS to the Japanese
question. or on the argument that its
passage would retard rather than has
ten the exclusion of the japanese from
this county
The Vote in the House.
Sacramento, Feb. AFTER a debate
extending from IL O'Clock until in
the evening the assembly by a vote
of IS to ZS rejected the bill drawn
by A. NJ Drew barring aliens from
ownership of land in California. The
bill had been amended at the request
Of President Roosevelt and Secretary
Root so the clause applying it 10 Japa-
nese only was eliminated. making the
bill apply to all aliens In substance
the objection to the bill was that it
would drive at least a billion dollars
of foreign capital out Of the state and
might jeopardize the present friendly
commercial relations with Japan
The supporters contended the state
was OverTun by thrifty ia panese who
were gradually gaining an impreg-
anable position land a0VSnerss- and
whose government was trying to die
tate to California regarding IegisIa-
ton Two sensational speeches were |
made, one for and one against the /
measure. Assemblyman Grove L. /
johnson of Sacramento, ex-cOngresS-
man and author of four bills segrega- /
ting the japanese in schools and resi-
Dental districts and preventing aliens
being members of corporations made I
an impaSsloned appeal for the enact |
ment of the Drew bill At the climax
of his speech he walked backward 1
from his seat to the lobby rail. and |
seizinE in his arms a golden haired 1
girl of three held her aIoft and de-
cIared that he was in favor of this |
our institutions"
The result of the contest is consid- |
cred fair test of the relative strength l
of the two factions in the assembly l
and has foreshadowed the defeat of I
all measures that would tend TO en- |
barrass the national government in its |
relations with Japan
Nathan G. Cole of San Francisco,
who was elected with the endorse |
ment of the union labor party. OppoS- |
ed the Drew bill on the ground that it |
was in conflict with the state constitu- /
ton. that it was inimical to union Ia |
bor and that il was not favored by 1
the national administration. which he |
said was dealing with a delicate prob |
lem and should be supported by the |
people of California Dramatically |
confronting Assembfyman Drew he !
said
sIf President Roosevelt should
throw open the doors of this assem- |
bly, chamber and laying his hand on !
your shoulder should request. for
reasons of state. that you withdraw |
this bill. you. Mr.. Drew, as patriotic !
citizen of the United States would as
sent without a murmur-
This sally was received with great |
applause. In reply Mr.. Drew. closing /
his argument for the bill, declared 4
that he had received letter from the |
president in which he stated that ne /
was not opposed to the bill as it has
been amended at his request In his I
opening remarks Drew said: ALREADY I
there
ese most of whom had belonged to the /
Japanese army. who could be mobiI- |
lied at q moments notice in case of /
hostiIities-"
japanese Still Confident
Toxic, Feb "A high official of |
the government said today:
"Our confidence in the fairness and I
justice of the real American people |
will remain mistaken through /
stronger test than the action of a few I
men who do not really represent the |
sentiment of the public In Nevada |
California and elsewhere, we believe I
that the true sentiment of the peo-
pIe is voiced by President Roosevelt |
and the leading statesmen and busi- |
ness men The real danger of such |
l1tterances as those contained in the !
Nevada resolution and similar ones
made by persons who entirely mis-
understand japanese lies in the effect
they may have on the ignorant peo-
pie of both JSp pan and America The
intelligence of both countries should
be exercised TO muZzle the ignorant
and vicious press and individuals
Leading foreigners and diplomats in
Toxic depIore the present agitation in
America for the reason that they be
Ifeve that II may seriously hamper
American trade in Japan and possibly !
throw difficulties in the way of the
smoothing of the new treaties between
the two countries
Henry Bennett i'm Las Vegas