The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-15
GOV. JOHNSON WILL
SIGN ALIEN LAND BILL

CONTINUED from Page One,
manufactures warehouses and shops
TO employ agents of their choice; to lea Sc
land for residential and commercial pur-
poses and generally to do anything incl
dent to, or necessary for, trade upon the
same terms as native citizens or subjects.
submitting themselves to the laws and
regulations there established
we assume that the right of Japanese
to own real property for the purposes
described Is absolute in our state and we
seek TO deal only with our agricultural
lands. We embody the treaty In our law
and we add to 1t permission to lease our
agricultural lands for the period of three
years
Where such extraordinary care has
been exercised to preserve honor and
good faith, in the very words of the con-
tract made by the protesting nation with
our own and to do more by authorizing
leases of agricultural lands 1t would
seem that we ought not be open to any
accusation OF violation of treaty rights,
or of desire to entrench upon that which
belongs alone TO the national government
or which might become a matter of inter
national policy.
Offer No Offense
BY the law adopted we offer no of
offense and discrimination is contained
II is claimed, In the use of the words
eligible to citizenship and In making a
distinction between those who are eligible
to citizenship and those who are not
We do not mention the japanese or any
particular race. The constitution of Cali
fornia in 1891 made its distinction and
there never has been protest or obiec-
tion The naturalization laws of the Uni
ted States, long since, without demur
from any nation termed who were and
who were not eligible to citizenship Ir
invidous discrimination ever were made
In this regard, the United States made
IT when the United States declared who
were and who We're not eligible to citi-
zenship and when we but follow and de-
pend upon the statutes of the United
states, and their determination as to
eligibility to citizenship. we cannot be
accused of indulging In inviduous dis
elimination May | venture to call to
your attention the immigration law now
pending in Congress, which passed both
houses of the last Congress, where ap-
parently classes who shall be excluded
from our country, are described as per
sons who cannot become eligible under
existing laws to become citizens of the
United States.
AT this moment the national legisla-
ture. without protest or objection, in
'Ntht ~ 10 puDliSHtu III tdlllOTnla Dy eN-
press consent. Is using the terms that are
claimed in CALIFORNIA; laws to be often
sivc and discriminatory
Similar Laws Enacted
AT least three states in the union have
in the past enacted laws similar to the
contemplated law Of California and the
enactments of those other states have
been without objection or protect That
the protest Is now made in respect to
California but emphasizes the acuteness
Of the problem confronting California
and demonstrates that California is diff
ferently viewed than other states of the
union and that If discrimination. exists 1t
Is discrimination against California.
I'VE insist that justly no offense can
be taken by any nation to this law and
more particularly does this seem to us
clear in the instance of a nation like
Iapan, that by its own law prevents ac-
qustion of and by aliens. 1t is most
respectfully submitted that, after all the
question Is no. whether any offense has
been taken but whether justly 1t should
be taken. | voice, think, the senti-
ment of the majority of the legislature
OF this state, when | say that II it had
been believed that offense could justly
be taken by any nation to The proposed
law that law would not have been en-
acted.
I'VE of California believe firmly that
in our legislative dealings with this alien
land question we have violated abso-
lutely no treaty rights. We have shown
| no discrimination; we have given to no
ration the right to be justified In taking
offense So, believing that with strong
reliance on the justice and the righteous
ness of our cause and with due Difference
and courtesy and with proper consldera-
tion for the feelings and the views of
others, we mad hoped the authorities at
Washington would have seen the ques-
tion as we in this state have been forced
to see it-as we must see 1t or be blind
No Cause for Offense
And so, with all respect and courtesy.
the state Of California feels 1t it's bounden
duty to its citizens to do that which the
interests of its people demand, that which
the conscience OF its people approves;
that which violates no treaty rights; that
which presents no discrimination and
that which can give no just cause of Of
fense
"You have suggested to me delay, but
this question was very earnestly and fully
presented by you to our Legislature and
the legislature determined to proceed MY
province S 20 approve or disapprove the
law as presented. our people as repre-
scented in the legislature, have over
helminely expressed their desire for the
present alien land bill The vote In the
senate was IS IT, and in the assembly
70 tos3. With such nnanimify OF opinion
even did I hold other Views. I would feel
1t my duty TO sign the bill. unless some
absolutely controlling necessity demand
ed contrary action. Apparently no such
controlling necessity exists.
'It is with the highest respect for yonr-
self and the President that ] feel my duty
to my state conpes me to approve he
action of the Legislature
"iiIRAM JOHNSON.
Governor Of California" +"
With the senGina of the telegram to-
cay the controversy over the alien land
bin is at an end so far as the Califor-
mia administration is concerned. Cover
ror Johnson mas until June l6 in which
to sign the act and in the normal course
Of events It will become law August
10 next.