Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-05-21
JOHNSON TO SIGN 1
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR WILL
APPROVE ALIEN. LAND BILL
DESPITE PROTEST.
SENDS MESSAGE TO BRYAN
Asserts No Treaty 10 Violated, No
Discrimination Presented and No
Offense Meant to Japan-state 10
Acting Within Its Rights.

Sacramento, CAL, May 16.-Gover'
nor Johnson Wednesday telegraphed
to Secretary OF State Bryan a lengthy
explanation why the legislature had
passed the alien land bill and ex-
pressed the determination to sign the
measure as he believed 1t to be . duty
he owed to the state,
The governor has until June Is to
sign the measure. n
The message was In answer to tha
request telegraphed to the. governor
by Secretary Bryan at the direction
Of President Wilson that the bill be
vetoed. 4. 4 II a, # &, 4 i S5$.
Governor gJohnson's message is cour-
teously worded, but It is definite and
direct He does not bulge . bit from
the position that he has maintained
from the first on antialfen legislation.
Governor johnson said to Mr.. Bryan
that he feels it his plain duty to sign
the bill unless some absolutely con-
trolling necessity exists. = Apparently
no such controlling necessity exists,
the governor pointed out. X *
What weSare trying TO do is to set
forth Calffornia's case" continues the
governor. ''It is astonishing the
amount Of Misrepresentation that is
afloat in the east Regarding California >
position.
1--WE have violated no treaty tights;
we have shown no shadow Of discrim-
nation; we have given to no nation
the right to be Justified in taking Of
fense," he declares. sSsF 81
Governor johnson emphasizes that
his position is based con "a strong
reliance in the righteousness of our
cause and with due Difference and
courtesy and with proper considera.
ton for the feelings and the views Of
others."s i{ss d. = HI, VI nv st Il ,.s
That the governor thinks the ma
tional government should back up
California in its position Is shown by
his statement: N
{ & I'VE had hoped the authorities at
Washington would have seen the
question as we in this state have
been forced to see It's we must
see It or be blind. &i.
I'VE believe we are within ouf
legal and our moral rights and that
we are doing only what Is imperative
~ demanded for the protection and
preservation OF our state /;
"And SO, with all respect and cour-
tesy. the state Of California feels it
IL its bounden duty to its citizens to
do that which the interests Of it, peo-
pie demand: that which the con-
science Of it, people approves; that
which violates no treaty rights; that
which presents no discrimination;
and that which can give no just cause
for ofIenses. &. 81 $s5.
You have suggested 70 me delay.
but this question was very earnestly
and fully presented to you to our leg
islature. and the legislature deter.
mined to proceed. My province is to
approve or disapprove the law A.
presented. Our people, as represented
In the legislature, have overwheelmr
ingly expressed their desire for the
land law bill. The vote in the sen.
ate was So. to Q, and in the assem-
~ " to 3. With such nnanimity Of
opinion, even did I hold other views.
l would feel it my plain duty to sign
the bill.
1T is with the highest respect for
yourself and the president that feel
my duty to my state compels me to
approve the action Of the legislature" !"