The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-04
Renews Assurances of
Friendly Interest on Part
of the Government
SENATOR GATES
MAKES REPLY
Appreciates Honor of Secretary's
Visit and Differs in Opinion
With Profound Respect for
Advice Given

Sacramento. Cal, May 3.-Secretary of
governor and legislature of California
this afternoon with a message Of farewell.
To an open joint session of the two
houses, attended by the governor, he
gave reassurances of the friendly interest
and cooperative attitude of the national
administration toward the peculiar prob
lens of California, transmitting the Pres
dents latest criticism of the alien land
act. passed last night by the state SEN
ate. and rehearsing again those objections
already made public.
In reply Senator Gates, speaking for
the state safd
''This legislature appreciates the honor
that has been done to this state by the
visit of the Secretary of State. We real
lie that his coming to cooperate with
! "a marks an era in American politics. 1t
brings the federal government into close
touch with the individual states.
"On the part of the legislature I wish
TO express our profound appreciation and
gratitude for the interest taken by the
national government in problem con-
fronting the state of California and to
assure the President that, even IL we
may differe with him. we do it with the
profoundest respect for his opinions and
those of the Secretary of State. And il
We feel impelled to depart from that ad-
{ vice we do it with respect for that ad-
vice.
Thanks to Wilson
Il propose and desire on the part of
this legislature to thank tho President
and his Secretary for their assistance
0sa< express the hope that this visit
may be a forerunner of further activity
by the national government in assist
ing the states in their work.
Secretary Bryan, In his address. voiced
the Presidents opinion that the words
eligible to citizenship substituted in the
California attorney generals redraft of
the alien land measure for the words
ineligible to citizenship" are equally dis
criminatory and therefore equally object
ionable to Japan.
IL law must pass, he urged that it
be limited in its operation to two years
that meanwhile diplomacy might so i'm
prove the international situation that re-
enactment by the next legislature would
be unnecessary. This suggestion. which
had not yet reached the President, he
said, was made for the consideration of
those who have yet to act upon the sub
1ect.''
Bryan Makes Reply
Secretary Bryan said in part:
'As l am departing this afternoon for
Washington. l deem it proper that L.
should say a final word to you. My COM
ing, at the Presidents request, upon the
mission that brought me, was unusual
and yet in the Presidents opinion, not
only right In principle but wise in poll
cy. 1t was in keeping with his own
course in appearing in person to deliver
Z message to Congress.
Il need not recount the experiences
through which we have passed. The
legislature, insofar as it has acted, has
found 1t Inconsistent with its view of
-sAs responsibilities to follow the Presi-
dents advice in the wording of the law
which 1t regards as it's duty to enact
While shall not attempt to form q
Judgment as to the action of the as
sembly on this subject, l have so fully
presented the Presidents views that
MO not deem longer stay necessary
)On the other hand l feel that / can be
more useful at Washington when the
President has before him the bin as it
reaches the governor If 1t shall finally
pass the assembly. l cannot, however
take my departure without giving ex-
preston to my appreciation of the spirit
in which. as a representative of the
President, have been received, and of
the courtesies that have been shown me
at all times.
Amity Prevails
1.-THE amity that has characterized
our intercourse is in keeping, l think,
with the course that should be pursued
BY those who, acting under a sense of
responsibility about matters in which
they are Jointly concerned. are unable
to agree upon the means to be employed
for reaching the end in view. The Presi-
dent has impressed u~on me at all
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