The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-02-02
MEASURE PASSED
BARRING JAPANESE
LOWER HOUSE OF THE IDAHO
LEGISLATURE APPROVES THE
ANTLALiEN BILL.
Seeks TO Bar Japanese From Acquir.
Ing Title to Lands In the Gem
State.-Supreme Court Budget
Measure Approved.

i Boise, Idaho.--The anti-alien bill,
introduced in the house of representa-
tives by Anderson and McMullen of
Bonneville county, which, 1t was adj
mitted on the floor of the assembly,
seeks to bar Japanese from acquiring
title to valuable lands within the Dor
ders OF the state of Idaho, was pass
ed by the house by unanimous vote
on January 26.
In view Of the fact that this meas
ure is patterned after the California
act, which raised an issue between
the United States and Japan, the ac-
ton OF the house is looked upon as
of unusual significance.
| During the debate on final passage
pointed reference was made to the
activities of aliens in the United
States in the attempt to bring about
a violation Of the neutrality of this
country.
Members declared unequivocally
| for Americanism and American rights
over those of foreign birth who do
not, while in this country and enjoy
ing its privileges and benefits, be-
come naturalized citizens.
When the anti-alien bill came be-
fore the house, and while speaking
for its passage, Representative Nc
Mullen of Bonneville county declared
that the main purpose of 1t was to
prevent Japanese from gaining title
to valuable sugar-beet and other
lands located In his county. He also
explained that the measure would put
back on the statute books the law
that was repealed four years ago. The
Japanese, he said, were acquiring
lands gradually and the American
citizen found their occupancy dis
tasteful.
Anderson of Canyon asserted that
the bill was American In every par
ticular. He called to the attention
of the house the activity of aliens in
the United States, seeking to force
this country to violate it's neutrality
Majority Leader Moody referred
pointedly to the California situation
on the same subject and said his
| sympathies were with the Califor-
mans in their fight against Japanese
occupancy. There was applause
when the speaker announced after
the roll call, that the bill had passed
by unanimous vote.
Senator Evans is the author of a
measure that would take part of
Blaine county that juts into Power
county and annex it to the latter
county, through an enabling act he
introduced Friday.
In passing the supreme court bud
get measure in. the house ON January
26, it was explained by Representa-
tive MCGOWAN of Latah that the court
was short Of funds, especially for TAX
ing up its northern term of court,
and passage of the measure would
come to that tribunals assistance.
The bill to create Bear River
county out of Bannock was killed by
being indefinitely postponed on re-
quest of its author, Representative
Thatcher, and bill to create the
county of Nampa out of part of. Ada
and Canyon counties was introduced.
Boise, Idaho.-The two woman suf-
frage memorials made special order
in the house of representatives were
passed on January 23 while the gal
leries filled with women enthusiastic
cally applauded. The first memorial
asks congress to pass a federal
amendment to the constitution giving
the women in all states the right of
! franchise. There were but two dis
senting votes against it. The second,
is addressed to governors and legisla-
lures of other states urging them to
pass and approve woman suffrage leg
islation. 1t passed unanimously.
A third memorial asking an amend
ment to the federal constitution pro-
viding for the direct election of pres,
ident and vice-president of the United
States, was defeated by vote of As
to IS.
The house passed bill appropriate
ing $4,000 state funds for water sur
veys and measurements in southern
Idaho.
There were introduced in the SEN
ate two new county division bills.
both seeking to be created out OF old
Fremont county. They are Clark and
Yellowstone. Senator Elliott of Ere
! mont county, who introduced them,
said he did not stand as their sponsor
and would use every honorable means
to defeat both. Senator Evans OF
Power county made a strong speech
in support of his memorials to con
gress asking that the 643-acre home
stead law be made ineffective as far
as Idaho is concerned. The senate
recommended 10th for passage
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