Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-05-02
BRYAN BEFORE THE CALIFORNIA
LEGISLATURE. I


Sacramento, CAL, April 2S.-Califor
pia, in the fullness of her right as
q state, may enact rigid land law
barring 0rientals from ownership, but
S0ch action would be against the
earnest wish of the national admins
tration.
This is the substance Of the mes
sage William Jennings Bryan, secre-
tary Of state and personal represen-
tative of President Wilson, deleiver-
ed to a secret conferenc attended
. only by Governor Johnson, Lieuten-
ant Governor Wallace and the 12O
members Of the California legisla-
tnre.
Secretary Bryan arrived in Sacra.
mento at O'Clock this morning.
Plans were laid for an immediate
bearing and shortly after II o'clock
the first session of the conference be
gan. Until the great oaken doors Of
the assembly chamber were closed
and locked, Secretary Bryan refused
to give any inkling of his message
To- anyone, and even at the confer
) niece he spoke only after legislators
had explained fully the public de-
uand for alien legislation that
brought about the present situation.
Gives Wilson'S Views.
Those who expected Secretary Bry-
an to expound new theory Of
states rights were disappointed, as
were those who expected predictions
Of war. Advice in the name of
President Wilson was all Mr.. Bryan
had to offer. The paramount ques-
ton here tonight is whether such ad-
vice will overcome the previously an
nounced determination Of the Pro-
gressive majority to enact an anti
alien land holding law along lines al
ready agreed upon.
Secretary Bryan suggested several
alternatives to the passage of a bill
restricting aliens ineligible to citi-
Eenship," basing his reasons on the
broad foundation of public policy.
Briefly, these alternatives in the Or
der in which they were suggested are
9 as follows:
Delay immediate action and allow
the state department to try to ac-
complish the ends desired by means
ola new treaty with Japan.
Delay immediate action and appoint
a commission to investigate the sub
Jet of alien land ownership and act
In conjunction with the president in
securing relief.
Last Two Rejected.
Enact law similar to the statute
in Illinois, which permits aliens to
hold land for a period not exceeding
six years and applies alike to all
aliens.
Enact a law similar to the federal
statute governing land ownership in
the District of Columbia, which is a
general law applying to all aliens.
OF these alternatives, it may safe
ly be said, according to leaders in
the legislature, the last two are out
Of the question. Many democrats ia.
vOr turning the matter over to the
state department, while the progress
siVe majority apparently remains I'M
9 changed in its support of bill that
Q would apply its restrictions to Orien
tails only.
The conference with Secretary
Bryan served to show the breadth o.
the sentiment in favor of an alier
land law that shall be effective il
checking the japanese and Chinese
immigration. A dozen or more sen
ators and assemblymen declared thu
people of the state were almost 4;
unit demanding the law, and it wa
threatened that unless the legisla
ture acted at this time, the matte
would be taken up through the mi
tiative and passed by the peopL
themselves.