The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-02
Grant Democratic Senators
Delay at Last Minute
of Session
NO MORE DELAY TO
BE PERMITTED
Democrats Agree 10 Accept Roll Call
Today Without Reconsideration.
Bill May Involve Appeal
to the Courts

Sacramento. Cal. May ANOTHER
anti-allen land Dill copied directly
from the Webb act now before the
senate but with a clause added per-
hitting aliens ineligible 10 citizen
ship TO lease farming lands for a
period Of not exceeding three years
was introduced tonight In the assem-
bly,. Its author, Assemblyman Blood
good (progressive) said he had OBJ
tanned statement from Governor
Johnson that he had no objections to
the new plan.
The chief purposes served by intro
ducing the bill, said BloodgDod to-
night. was to get the Webb act before
the assembly that no time would be
lost when the senate bill is passed
and sent to the lower house, which
then will have both the original
Webb draft and the new draft with the
exemption pertaining to leases from
which to choose.
The plan to exempt leases from the
strict provisions of the original Webb
act is not viewed with favor by all
of the majority party in either house.
Governor Johnson said tonight. IT
told MIR. Bloodgood I had no objections
to any amendment that softens the
bill so long as it does not affect the
big things involved, namely, the pre-
ineligible to citizenship.
Sacramento, Cal, May Am indication
of the form democratic opposition
will take to the passage of the Webb re-
draft of the anti-alien land bill was CIV
en- in the senate today when the measure
came up for final action.
1t was the original plan of the pro-
gressive republican majority in its as
surance of a successful issue to force
the bill TO a vote at once but at the
request of the democrats a postponement
of one day was granted at the last min
ute. The matter was set as a special
order for II o'clock tomorrow morning
In return for the delay the administra-
ton leaders received a pledge from the
that it would abide by the re-
suits as shown in the final roll cali to.
morrow and not demand reconsidera.
tion. Thus tine progressfves feel that
although apparently they lost day. IL
reality they saved several by checking
further efforts to impede their plans.
Brief Debate
The brief debate today ON the motor
to postpone disclosed that the democrats
have farkened to the advice from Wash
ington, as delivered by Secretary of State
Bryan. and will make formal stand il
support of the national administration
To meet the issue squarely Senator Cur
tin, democrat, introduced a resolution set
linn 10 haf Dpa
is opposed to the alien land bill anC
including the following declaration:
BE it resolved, That the people of tn,
state of California do hereby defer tC
the wishes of the President of the United
States and this legislature will not a
this session pass the bills herein men
toned"
1t is believed generally that to the ex
tent of supporting Curtins resolution
the democrats viii defer to Secretar!
Bryan. Beyond that. however, thei
party platforms in California calls upol
them to aid in the enactment of an anti
allen land law and most OF them are eX
pected to cast their votes for the Web
bill if it succeeds in escaping amendment
Several Amendments
Senator Camnetti, democrat, WORKING
of his colleagues, is pre-
pairing several amendments to the Webl
bill to be offered tomorrow. The drafts
were not completed tonight, he said. ant
he declined to discuss the changes he ex
poets to propose.
No apprehension was aroused by tn
warning against the Webb bill, tele
graphed to Governor johnson by Presiden
Wilson 1t is the belief both of GovernOl
Johnson and Attorney General Webb tina
regardless of how the act was worded i
probably would involve an appeal to tn,
as suggested by President vii
son.
Attorney General Webb in statemen
tonight said:
II have been shown the Presidents tel
egram to the governor to the effect tha
the proposed land bill might involve al
appeal to the courts and it has been il
the minds of every one having to do Will
this subject of legislation since the begin
ming of the session that any character oi
bill must necessarily involve the sam,
thing.
mo method of avoiding an appeal L
the courts has occurred to us, and If tht
federal government is advised of the ex,
istence of a way to avoid this question
without a complete and unwarranted sur
render of the rights of the state, IL is tC
be regretted that such method Is MOI
pointed out by the telegram.
"If this act should be passed / quite
realize that hereafter some person might
contend for greater rights than the ac
would seem, on its face to give him, anC
in that case it would be quite proper foi
the courts to pass upon the question.