The Washington herald., 1913-05-15
JOHNSON Will
sign alien BILL
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

not We do not mention the Japanese
because or any particular race. The con-
stitution of California in 1879 made its
distinction, and there never has been
protest or objection. The naturalization
/ laws of the United States long since,
without demur from any nation. deter
mined who and who were not eligible to
citizenship.
| Discrimination Is Denied.
IF invidious discrimination were ever
/ made in this regard, the United States
made it when the United States declared
who were and who were not eligible to
citizenship. and when we but follow and
| depend upon the statutes of the United
States and their determination as to eli
| gibility to citizenship we cannot be ac-
| cused of indulging in invidious discrimi-
! nation. May / venture to cal to your
| attention the immigration laws now
pending in Congress, which passed both
Houses of the last Congress, where ap-
| parently certain classes who shall be ex-
cluded from our country are described as
| persons who cannot become eligible UNI
| der existing laws to become citizens OF
| the United States At this very moment
the National Legislature, without protest
| or objection-indeed, it is published in
| California by express consent-is using
| the terms that are claimed in California s
law to be offensive and discriminatory.
| 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 protest
| That the protest is now made in respect
| to California but emphasizes the acute
ness of the problem confronting Cali
| fornia and demonstrates that California
| is differently viewed than other States
of the Union. and that if discrimination
| exists it is discrimination against Cali
| fornia.
Refers 10 Japanese Law.
eve insist that justly no offense can
be taken by any nation to this law. and
particularly does this seem to us clear
in the instance of a nation like Japan
that by its own law prevents acquisition
of land by aliens. 1t is most respect
fully submitted that after all the ques-
ton is not whether any offense has been
taken, but whether justly it should be
taken. I voice, I think, the sentiment of
the majority of the legislature of this
State, when l say that if 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.
1--WE, 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 shadow of discrimination: we have
given to no nation the right to be justi-
fed in taking offense. So believing
with A strong reliance on the justice
and the righteousness of our cause and
with due Difference and courtesy and
with proper consideration for the feel
ings and the views of others-we had
hoped the authorities at Washington
would have seen the question as we in
this State have been forced to see it
in which We must see it or be blind.
Delay Is Refused.
And, so with all respect and courtesy,
the State of California feels il is its
bounded duty to it's citizens to do that
which the interests of its people demand;
that which the conscience of it's people
approve; that which violates no treaty
rights; that which presents no discrim-
ination, and that which can give no just
cause for offense
You have suggested to me to delay,
but this question was very earnestly and
fully presented by you to our Legisla-
ture, and the Legislature determined to
proceed My province is to approve or
disapprove the law as presented. Our
people, as represented in the Legislature
have overwhelmingly exressed their de-
sire for the present alien land law bill |
The vote in the Senate was 35 to 2, and
in the Assembly Y to 3. With such !
unanimity of opinion. even did 1 hold |
other views would feel it my plain duty |
to sign the bill. unless some absolutely |
controlling necessity demanded contrary
action. Apparently no such controlling |
necessity exists.
ut is with the highest respect for |
yourself and the President, that / feel |
my duty to my State compels me to ap-
prove the action of the Legislature
HIRAM JOHNSON,
Governor of California"