Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-05-06
Mr.. BRYAN TO cALIFoRNiANs
Secretary Of State Makes Clear Cues
tions Involved In Ant. Alien Bill.

tions tnNoiVeo ih tnu.AHoh Dill
The fact that Secretary of State Bry-
an went to California to represent Pres
ident Wilson before the legislature In
the matter Of the pending Anti-Alien
bill is known. The secretary conferred
at length with the California author.-
ties, but to very little purpose. The law
makers had their minds made up and
were unwilling to yield. Although real
izing last Saturday that the end he
sought could not be accomplished, Mr..
Bryan did not care to leave without
making himself clear, and in parting he
spoke In part as follows: r
AS I am departing this afternoon
for Washington, deem 1t proper that
l should say q final word to you. Ny
coming at the presidents request upon
the mission that brought me, was un-
usual, not only right in principle but
wise In policy. 1t was in keeping with
his own course In appearing In person
to deliver message to congress. f'I
II need not recount the experiences
through which we have passed. The
legislature, In SO far as 1t has acted.
has found II inconsistent with its view
Of its responsibility to follow the presi-
dents advice In the wording of the law
which It regards as its duty. to enact.
While I shall not attempt to form q
bly, on this subject, have 80 fully pre-
sented the presidents views that do
not deem a longer stay necessary. On
the contrary feel that can be more
useful at washington when the presi-
dent has before him the bill as 1t
reaches the governor, II II shall finally
pass the assembly. can't however,
take my departure without giving ex-
preston to my appreciation OF the spir-
1t in which, as q representative OF the
president, have been received, and Of
the courtesies that have been shown
me at all times.
1.-The amity that has characterized
their intercourse is in keeping, think,
with the course that should be pursued
by those who, acting under sense Of
responsibility about matters In which
they are jointly concerned, are unable
to agree upon the means to be employ
ed for reaching the end In view. The
president has impressed upon me at all
times that I should emphasize the fact
that his only purpose Is to confer with
the legislature as to the national and
international. phases Of the question
under consideration and that he con-
fers as a E5t unsympathetic friend
who desires to aid to the extent Of his
ability in matter where he has not
only constitutional duty to perform
but where he may be assumed to be
able to Judge Of the effect Of legislation
upon our relations with other coun-
tries.
HE has pointed out the things which
seem to him unwise In the bill that haa
passed the senate. The first words to
which he calls attention are eligible to
citizenship against which he so ear
nestly advises. In the second paragraph
the property right of those therein de,
scribed are defined as they are defined
in the treaty. He fears that this win
raise question Of construction and in
volve the subject in a lawsuit that may
be both irritating and protracted.
II have submitted to him the sug-
gestion-but owing to his absence from
Washington just at this time have been
unable as yet to secure an answer
that time limit upon any bill which
you pass might reduce to a minium the
unfavorable influence It exerts, II that
influence Is unfavorable. If for instance
any bill that you pass dealing with the
subject is limited in its operations to
two years-or even four years, but two
next legislature to act upon the sub
ject, 1t would afford an opportunity for
diplomatic efforts with the hope that
the situation could be construed as to
make a re-enactment Of the laws un-
necessary. Assuming that the people
of California will be satisfied to reach
the end which they desire by methods,
which will cause the least friction be-.
tween this and other nations, this sug-.
gestion is made for the consideration
Of those who have yet to act upon the
subject.
IF the legislature is willing to avoid
the use Of the words eligible to citi-'
zenship' and ineligible to citizenship
I am authorized to suggest that the line
might be drawn at another point, name>
ly, between those whose right to own
land is defined by treaty and those
whose right to own according to the
terms Of the treaty and the latter to be
allowed to hold land on the same terms
that citizens Of the United States hold
land. But the president desires me to
keep before you at all times the fact
that he would prefer, II consistent with
your states interests, to have all ac-
ton deferred for a time sufficient to
permit him to employ diplomatic
means"