The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-24
LEGISLATORS SHOW
REVERSAL OF FORM
Democrats Abandon Principle OF
States Rights and Progress
sives Take 1t Up.
UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION
Not Since Roosevelt Threatened
California Has State Been in
Such Buzz.
UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION
Especial to The Times Dixpa ,ch. ]


Sacramento, Cal, April 23.-In re-
spouse to a telegram from President
Wilson asking IL it would be agreeable
to the Governor and the California
Legislature to have Secretary OF State
Bryan visit Sacramento for the pur-
pose of counseling with them concern
ing alien land legislation, Governor
Johnson late this afternoon wired
President Wilson AS follows:
Il shall at all times be pleased to
consult with the Secretary of State, and
it will be entirely agreeable to me to
as suggested in your telegram"
When the Legislators began stirring
to day they found themselves confront
ed with an unprecedented situation on
the antialien land bill.
Not since President Roosevelt threat
ened the California Legislature with
the army and navy of the United States
has there been such Il buzz over the
question.
For President Wilson had photographed
both houses OF the Legislature and the
Governor that he wished TO send no
one less than Secretary of State Bryan
to Sacramento to counsel with lcgis-
1ators concerning the land laws to be
adopted.
On the fundamental principle of
States rights. however, there was an
astonishing reversal OF FORM The
Democrats abandoned their time n on :
ored stand i'll favor of the sovereign
power of the state, while the Progress
sivc majority took UP that doctrine.
AZ soon as the receipt of the Presi-
dents message became known, Senator
n. i. Boynton. president pro ten. of
the Senate. got the administration
leaders into a conference in the Gov
ernor's Office to formulate some Pro-
gressive party policy in the matter.
Governor Johnson declined to take
any part in the conference. but it was
held in one of his offices. The Governor
seemed to think that as the presiding
officers of the legislative bodies had
been addressed in the matter. the leg
islative reply was no affair of his.
1t was finally decided to quote the
Presidents telegram in Whereas
and follow il with this: Now, there
| fore be 1T resolved. by the Senate of
the State of California. That while this
Senate respectfully maintains the right
of the Legislature of the State of Cali
fornia To legislate on the subject OF
land ownership within the State, it will
be entirely agreeable to this Senate
to have the Secretary of State of the
United States visit Sacramento for the
purpose indicated in the Presidents
telegram; and
DIG II iuTtHer resolved that In view
OF probable early adjournment of the
Legislature. the Secretary of the san
ate be and hereby is instructed to
transmit forthwith the resolution by
telegram to the President"
This was tho resolution finally car
ried to the Senate.
The resolution was adopted by the
House by a vote of 80 TO IL.
The fight came in the Senate where
ID
most of the Democrats and Weight, n
Taft Republican, hoping 10 have all
reference to State rights stricken out.
The resolution was passed by the
Senate. two Democrats and one Taft
man voting against it, and so Secrc-
tary Bryan is invited to Sacramento
to counsel the Legislature, but with
a foreknowledge that under the rights
of State. some sort of antialien bill IS
to be passed.