The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-04
BRYAN LEAVES ON
| RETURN TRIP AND
HOUSE UP IN AIR
Lower Branch Takes Up the
Measure Passed Yesterday
by Senate
| MANY SUBSTITUTES
ARE BEING OFFERED
Secretary of State Closes Adj
dress to Legislators, Say
ing Would Like for
Referendum

SACRAMENTO, CAL, May S.
Secretary Bryan at open joint con-
ference IF both houses of the legis-
lature at z o'clock this afternoon de-
livered his farewell message. and
then, at o'clock. started on his re-
turn journey to Washington by way
of Los Angeles. Bryan, in his speech.
declared that in the presidents opin-
ion the words eligible to citizen
ship in Attorney Webb's
bill are as discriminatory as the orig
inal phrase Ineligible to citizenship"
and, therefore. fully as objectionable
He urged that If law must be
passed that it be limited to two
years.
Bryan said in part:
The legislature, insofar as It has
acted. has found 1t inconsistent with
it's views Of it's responsibilities to fol-
low the presidents advice in the
wording OF the law. which 1t regards
as its duty to enact. I have so fully
presented the presidents views that
do not deem a longer stay neces-
sary.
Only Purpose to Confer.
''The president has impressed upon
me that J should emphasize the fact
that his only purpose is to confer
with the legislature. as to the ma
tional and international phases OF the
question, and that he confers as
not unsympathetic friend who desires
to aid to the extent of his ability In
that matter, where he has not only
a 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
that seem to him unwise in the bill
that has passed the senate. The hrat
words to which he calls attention are
eligible to citizenship which are ~
clearly discriminating as the words
ineligible to citizenship. a8Ainat
which he so earnestly advises In
the second paragraph this property
rights Of those therein described are
defined as they are defined in the
treaty. He fears that this will raise
a question of construction. and In
volve the subject in a lawsuit that
may be both Irritating and protract-
ed.
Il have submitted to him the sug-
gestion, but owing to his absence
from Washington at this time have
not vet secured an answer. that q
time limit upon any bill which you
may pass might reduce to mini
mum the unfavorable influence IT ex-
erts. If. for instance, any bill that
you pass is limited In its operations
to two years or even four years, 1t
would afford an opportunity for dipio-
matte effort, with the hope that the
situation could be so improved as to
make a re-enactment of the law un-
necessary Assuming that the peo-
pie of California will be satisfied to
| reach the end they desire by methods
which will cause the least friction be-
| tween this and other nations, THU
suggestion is made for the consider
alton of those who have yet to ac'
on the subject"
Asks For Submission.
The secretary closed by indicating
that he would be pleased to hear tina,
the alien land bill, as passed. be sub.
mitted to the people under the refer
| endum Such action would delay the
taking effect of the law until the nexi
general election, or at a special cleo
| ton to be called.
Immediately after delivering his ad.
dress TO the legislators Secretary
| Bryan boarded the train for Los
Angeles. and will go East Immediately
from there.
assembly took up the debate on the
| Birdsall- Webb bill under a suspension
| of the constitution to allow the three
| readings of the bill on the same day
An hour after Secretary ofk State
| Bryan bid the legislature goodbye. an
attack upon the Webb Risdsall
or other aliens to lease land for three
years, was made in the assembly
from a source that indicates 1t had
force behind 1t.
Pproposes Old Bradford Measure.
W. F. Chandler. of Fresno. one oil
the house leaders. and veteran in this
Legislature. proposed as an amend
ment to the bin passed by the senate
fbe stricken out and instead there be
substituted bill identical with the
Bradford measure that passed the as
sembly two weeks ago. except that the
! last section of that measure be ell
/ minated.
I from acquiring land in this State
unless they Indicate their intention
graph, which is the only paragraph n
either Japan or the national govern
ment. is eliminated in the Chandler
The Chandler substitute provides
that no alien shall own or acquire
property within this state except tIa
Land acquired by devise. descent. OF
purchase, may be held by aliens fof
property shall escheat to the STATE
| unless the holder becomes q cittxen,
| or declares his intention OF becoming
| a citizen.
! The act does not apply to real prop
erty now owned by aliens, their wives
| or children.
| No lease for more than Ave years
| is allowed under the amendment.
| Nothing in the act refers to aliens
either Of the eligible or ineligible
class, and the bill does not strike -
alien corporations
says Senate NM worthless.
| Wyllie, OF local option fame 10 back
| ing up Chandler In his amendment. de-
claring that the bill that passed thu
senate II worthless and that II VIII
| this State. He objects to the leaa1
| clause OF the Birdoall bill.
The constitution wAS then euapenae1
| 10 that three reAdinga could ~ haA n
! <~>~As~.,~l - rt-l<A 49, ~