The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-05-15

May | venture to call to your attention
the immigration law now pending in con-
greSs which passed both houses Of the
last Congress. where apparently certain
classes who shall Toe excluded from our
country are described as 'prreons VINO
San?o; Es9oI,a .'iu,b!' WE.l-r .'..1 80. ..s.
to become citizens OF thu Tinted states ,
~ th.s y,sr. .g.2Ll:u IAs ga, .I,..s;
islature without protest or ohi.. '.ou--lu-
deed. = = puhlshel - .Gal.:q..i. b.
express consents us,Hc the terms that
are claimed in Cd!forn.as law to he Of
- tsnsiv" and -G..:" ........a.. ..- ... .....
AT least three States IN 'he t'rion have
IN the past enac,e! laws s'n'ilar tr ~,
contemplated law uf California and tho
enactnsntS OF those Otu'r States hay,
been without rht"C'i0~ y" protest THAT,
the protest is now made IN respect To Gait
fornia but emphasizes the Hcuten.ss Of tn.
problem confronting California and DOM
ons:Tates hat California y differently.
viewed than othcr states Of n" Union and
that II discrimination exists q Is d;S.
'' .''T-r-7-' - ~ t'sfrff rrd -' - .'
y -.S :. 49, = ~. ..~. ~s.~~-~s...
taken by any nation TO ths law. ana molr
particularly does this s,.W u Us clear IN
rhe instance ~ nation It.,,. japan that
ny rs uNn Avs prevents acquisition Of
land by aliens. II Is most respectfully
submitted that after all the question is
uOt NUr'U'I any pIItntt mas htsN taken.
but whether Justly 1t should be taken
II voice. think the sentiment Of the
majority Of III" Legislature Of this state
when ] say thai II II had he.n believed
that cftenc" could Justly h., taken bv any
nation 10 the proposed law that law would
not have been enacted
My Duty TO Sign Bill.
We of California believe nrmly that
in our legislative dealings with this alien
land question we have violated absolutely
10 treaty rights; We have shown no
shadow of discrimination We have given
10 no nation the right to he justified in
taking offence. So believins-with a
strong reliance on the Justice and TN.
righteousness OF our cause and with due
difference and courtesy and with rroner
consideration for tho feeling and the views
of others--wc had hoped the authorities a.
washington would have seen tho question
Hs We In this state have been forced 10 see
it-as we must see it, or be blind
And so, with all respect and cour,e.y
the State OF California feels IT it's bound,n n
duty TO It's citizens to do that which Tn.
interests Of its people demand that which
the conscience Of It's people approve: that
whlch violates no treaty rights that
which presents no discrimination, and that
which can give no Just cause for orfcrr,
You have suggested 10 me delav nut
tIlis ques s''"H was very earnestly and fully
presented by YOU 10 our Le-Islaturc and
the Legislature determined to proceed
My province is to approve or d!sapprove
the law as presented, Our people as rer-
resented In the Legislature, have over
whelminely expressed their desire for the
present alien land bill, Tu" vote In the
Senate was 35 10 2 and In the Assembly
~ TO 3, with such unanln!ty Of opinion
even did hold other views | would feel
. II ny p!a'" 3uty t0 siiT no h.i unless
so"e absolutely ..ni'tl.n- y..->s-s:.r a,,s
inanded contrary action. Apparently no
such controlling necessity cx!St.
1T is with the highest respect to- your-
self and the President that tocl my duty
10 M STATE c-'aT-!a ,79a 70 aTp.D,r ,'le
action Of the LEGISLATURE
"ifIRAM W. JOHNSON,
Governor uf California