San Francisco Call, Volume 105, Number 85, 23 February 1909 — JAPANESE BOGEY AGAIN IN SENATE [ARTICLE]

JAPANESE BOGEY AGAIN IN SENATE

Committee on Federal Relations Will Report Resolution Urg= ing Congress to Act

Measure Praises Chinese Exclusion Law and Asks That It Be Extended

[Special Dispatch to The Call] CALL HEADQUARTERS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING, SACRA-

MENTO, Feb. 22. — The Japanese bogey is going to show itself in the legislature again. It will appear this time in the guise of a joint resolution requestins congress to enact a Japanese exclusion law. With the imprimatur of the senate committee on federal relations, this joint resolution will be reported to the senate tomorrow. Whether Jt will frighten the senate into silence remains to be seen. The committee on federal relations lias had two joint resolutions bearing upon Japanese exclusion under consideration. One of them was the work of Sanford ' of Ukiah. This resolution

ewatted the governor for his submission to. the "big stick." urged congress to exclude the Japanese and protested against the naturalization of Japanese. The other resolution was introduced by Caininttti of Jackson and contented itself with pointing out reasons why congress should enact an exclusion law whi<-h would bar all Asiatics. Camin^tti's demand last week for the return of this joint resolution caused the committee to bestir Itself and today Burnett of San Francisco gave out the text of a committee substitute, which he had framed with the assistance of Black of Palo Alto, and which . will be presented tomorrow, with the recommendation that it be adopted. lUVURI^S H.UIIC.VLISM The committee substitute, as drawn : by Burnett, follows the general tenor of thr> Carainetti resolution and ignores the more radical utterances which distinguished Sanford's. The action of the committee in reporting it favorably is • based largely on Burnett's reprcsentaj lions to the necessity for responding to the strong public demand for an expression on the Japanese problem from this legislature. "During my last visit to San Francisco." Burnett explained today, "I was S really astounded at the rapid growth lof the anti-Japane.se feeling. I found it very strong in men who had previously manifested no v particular in- . terest in the subject. There is no question about it — we must answer the public cry for action, and I think this recommendation to congress ■ for passage of an exclusion law which, would apply to all Asiatics is the proper way to meet the situation." Whether President Roosevelt will see • fit to declare himself astounded at the action of the legislature if it attempts 'to pass this joint resolution can only be surmised, but the action of the fed- ■ eral relations committee in reporting ' favorably on the resolution indicates ; more strikingly the strength of the : public opinion to which it is responding ivhen it is remembered that the committee to which the governor's Japanese measure was referred recom- . mended to the senate that no Japanese Igislation be passed at this session. THE UKSOLLTIOX Following is the complete text of the joint resolution which will] be recommended tomorrow by the committee on federal relations. Whereas, the progress, happiness and prosperity of the people of a nation depend upon a homogeneous population; Whereas, the Influx from the overpopulated nations of Asia, of people •who are unfitted for American citizenship or for assimilation with the Cau.casian race, has resulted and will result in lowering the American standard of living and the wage earning capacity of American labor; Whereas, the exclusion of Chinese -laborers under the existing exclusion laws of the United States has tended to preserve the economic and social wcl- ' fare of the people; Whereas, we view with alarm any proposed repeal of such exclusion laws and the substituting therefor of general laws; Whereas, the interest of California can best be safeguarded by the retention of said exclusion laws and by extending their terms and provisions to other Asiatic people; Whereas, the people of the eastern Ftates and the United States generally liave an" erroneous impression as to the real sentiment of the people of the Parific coast relative to the Asiatic question; Whereas, we think it right and proper that the people o£ this country Khou'.d be advised as to our true position on that question; therefore be it Resolved, by the senate and assembly., jointly, that we respectfully urge the congress of the United States to maintain intact the present Chinesa exclusion laws, and instead of taking any action looking: lo'the repeal of the saiJ exclusion laws, to extend the terms ard provisions' thereof " Bu^ as to apply to and include all Asiatics; Repolvrd, that our senators be instructed and representatives in "congress requested to use all honorable means to carry out th* foregoing recommendation and requests; Resolved, that a certified copy of thete resolutions b* transmitted to tl.e president and speaker, respectively, of the senate and house of representatives of the United States and to each <jf our senators and representatives in congress by the secretary of the senste. Bill in Cupid's Aid CALL HEADQUARTERS. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING. SACRA- . MENTO, Feb. 22. — The assembly today passed the Otis bill making It necessary that both parties agree to the dismissal of a divorce action. Mischievous divorces .will no longer be a-bleto thwart Cupid's subsequent efforts if th«i bill becomes a law. At present the interlocutory decree of divorce must run 12 months before the li:ial decree is entered. During the year the plaintiff may come into court and dismiss the proceedings regardless of the wishes of the defendant. --It was a ease in. Alameda county that prompted^Otis to present his bill. A couple, had been divorced nearly a year. Oipid had mended the man's heart and pierced it with another arrow, lie had his . preparations made for a second wedding as soon as the Jlnal decree had been entered.,. His lir?t wife could not overlook the op- . portunity of spoiling his plans and so had the divorce proceedings dismissed. This not only blocked the second match, but restored the man and wife to the same legal status they were in before the action was begun... Otis believes his bill will meet with the -approval of nil divorced persons who are eagerly waiting for 12 months lo pass bo that other matrimonial knots may be tied. Judges Bill Passes CALL HEADQUARTERS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING. SACRAMENTO, Feb. 22. — Assemblyman H. N. Uoatty's bill providing for. extra sesfions of the superior court passed the lower house todaj'. The purpose of the imarure is to relieve the congestion of ca?cK In the superior court of San Francteco. By the terms of the Beatty bill .it will be. possible for a judge or a majority of judges In counties where there is mow thanloiift judgre to call in a judge from another county; to hold court. If the invited judge refuses to •respond- ihn governor isv to; have 'the cower to direct him to serve."