Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-02-06
California Governor EndeavOrs to Stay Anti
Japanese Legislation
ACTION ON SCHOOL BILL POSTPONED
Until Next Wednesday by Unanimous Consent-Governor
Giett Sends Special Message to the Rouse Raising
the Point of the Bis Constitutonaity- Japan Would
Consider School Exclusion Unfriendly Act.

Sacramento. Cal, Feb. 5.-Governor
Gillett sent to the assembly today a
special message appealing to that body
to rescind its action Of yesterday. by
which the japanese school segregation
bill was passed The governor calls
attention to the contention of Japan,
which is not refuted by the United
States government that the bill. as
passed, violates the treaty rights OF
the empire He does not enter into a
discussion of the merits Of this posi-
tion, stating that 1t is a debatable
question, but reiterates that Japan
would consider it an unfriendly act to
exclude from the public schools the
children of it's subjects.
The Message.
The message says
Gentlemen: Believing that there
should be further and more careful
consideration of assembly bill No. IA,
which provides that boards of school
trustees shall have the power to es-
tablish separate schools for children
of Japanese, and, thereafter. they
shall not be admitted into any other
public school, and further believing
that the enactment of the provisions
Of said bill, will at this time, affect
the interests of the entire nation, and
perhaps seriously, l most respectfully
request you to reconsider the vote by
which the said bill was passed and
take the matter up for further and
most careful consideration.
within a few hours after the pas
sage of said BILL the president of the
United States. alarmed at the possi-
bic consequences Of the enactment OF
such law, sent to me a telegram con-
tanning the following Language:
This Is the most offensive bill OF
all. and, in my judgment. is clearly
unconstitutional, and we shall at once
have to test it in the courts. Can II
not be stopped In the Legislature, or by
veto?
"A telegram so forcible as this.
coming from the president of the Unit
ed States. is entitled to full consldera-
tion, and demands that no hasty or
ill-considered action be taken by this
state which may involve the whole
country.
Time to Lay Sentiment Aside.
1T seems to me. it is time to lay
sentiment and personal opinion and
other considerations aside. and take a
broad and unprejudiced view OF the
important questions involved in the
proposed legislation, and, in a calm
and dispassionate manner, pass upon
them. keeping in mind, not only the
interests of our state, but OF the ma
ton, and the duty we owe to It in OBJ
serving the treaties entered into by il
with a friendly power"
The governor calls attention to the
protest of Japan against the resolu-
ton of the san Francisco school board
Of two years ago. which directed that
Orientals be compelled to attend their
own schools, and the action Of the fed
eral government in beginning suit to
have the order rendered nugatory.
This suit was dismissed 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 of
Japanese pupils, so far as is known.
Without expressing any opinion
thereupon, the governor then quotes
the treaty guaranteeing to Japan the
rights and privileges of the most IA
Yored nation.