Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-05
JOHN
JOHN JOHNSON.
The Candidate for Mayor is interviewed BY
an Appeal Reporter.
Ne Answers every Question, and Satisfies
the Most ExaCting.
Ne Is not the Man the Avalanche would
Make him Appear.
Ne is a ~StraIght-out Democratic lrishman'
and Always Has Been.
Every Voter of Memphis should Read the
Following.

Desiring hat the Democratic noLhlhee'
the APPEALS nominee, and the nominee
of the people, should have an opportunity
of reflting the following charges made
against him by the AUGtdnche in its issue
of Yesterday, this reporter yesterday
called upon him at his place OF business
on Main street. We found him at has
desk in his office, attending 20 business;
He was not upon the Streets surrounded
by a crowd of admirers, buzZing Tor once,
but was strictly attending TO ms business
as q merchant, as OF IN most SUCCESSFUL
merchants we have ever had in Memphis
should be. After the usual situations,
we made known our errand, and was cor
daily and cheerfully responded TO. Mr..
Johnson expressed his willingness TO an
swer any and all questions, saying that
he had no reserves, had nothing TO con
ceal, nothing to hold back from ms fellow
citizens, We then -propounded, and lie
answered SIS follows:
Reporter-Did you support Fitch as
against Leftwieh?
Johnson did not; most emphatically
I did not. On the contrary, l worked al
dav long at the polls for DR.. LettWlch,
who himself, will say SO.
Reporter-Have you any knowledge
that the Gas Company or its officers, as
such. are faboring for, or have volunteered
to support your
Johnson have not.
Reporter-Have you any knowledge that
the sO-called Citizens Union is labOrlng
for. or have volunteered to support you?
Johnson-I have not, and don't know
that such an organization is in existence.
ReDOrter-Were you IN OF the
~property qualification in the new city
charter
Johnson-No, sir. did not know any
thing about the charter until l saw 1t pub
lished.
Reporter-Have you been approached
by ofhce-seekers, or ave you made any
promises of Office or gifts?
Johnson-Nol I would not allow any
man to approach me as an ofhce-seeker.
would not have the office otherwise than
4 as a free man-free to do as l think best
for the interests of the people who may
elect me. Those who are fitted for office
will recommend without fear, favor or
affection, always giving the preference 10
the men ofmy own the Democratic)p party.
Reporter-Did you, as the AOdjanehe as
serts, vote for Fitch two years ago?
Johnson did not.
Reporter-Are you now, and have you
been a citizen of the United States?
Johnson-I am and nave been. l came
to the United States, from Ireland, when
/ eleven wears of age, and therefore az
quired citizenship when l came ofage.
ReporJer-Did you ever claim British
protection, and under eircumstan-
! ces?
Johnson-I did, during the war, to es-
cape Federal persecution, and to prevent
| being drafted into the Federal army.
Reporter-Do you know anything of the
| society of Irish Orangemen, and were you
or YOUR father ever connected with 1t?
.Johnson-I do not know anything about
it; never was connected with 1t; and
/ knew well that my father was not. Re
spect for nv mother and sisters, who are
members of the Roman Catholic Church.
would prevent me or my father ever con-
Meeting ourselves with such a bigoted or
ganizatiOn.
Reporter-Did you help the prisoners Of
war who arrived off Memphis on board
the Diligence and Choteau in the spring
of 1865; l mean the Fort Donelson prls'
oners?
Johnson-I did, to the extent of over
$500 in food and clothing, as can be testi-
fed to by Col. Joe Barbiere, Capt. Alb
Lew, and Capt. r. NJ. Wilson, OF Con
cordia, Miss.
Reporter-Did you ever vote any other
than the Democratic ticket?
JOhnsOn-Never; and would not.
have been a Democrat all my life, u be-
long TO a Democratic family.
Rsporter-YoU say you have not bar
gained for or promised offices?
JOhnsOn-I say so most emphatlcaIly
and that I would not allow my dearest Of
best friend even to approach me upoI
that subject.
Reporter-If elected Mayor of Mem
phis, will YOU strictly and consistently
with a character for business integrity
TOR which even the Avalanche gives yot
credit, viii you direct the affairs of tn
CITY so as to insure a reduction of taxes
reduction of u debt, settlement of GU
financial difficulties, and a n effective or
ganizatiou of all departments of the city
government with a view to an honest anC
thorough enforcement of the charter ant
laws Of the city?
Johnson-My aim and object in accept
ing the nomination is, that ] may doSo
And I will do SO. l a kept mysel
aloof mt free from all cliques or rings
determined that I shall be free 10 selec
from the best men in the city such as vii
enable me to administer its affairs in a
honest, efficient and economical manner
With this the Reporter closed the inter
view and took his departure, Statistic
that Mr.. Johnson is just the man 70
Mayor of Memphis; n satisfied tina
since he fully and fairly answers all tn
objections Ofthe AUdLGRche, and of his OF
ponents upon the streets, he will b
elected Mayor by a Triumphant majority
He has every requisite for the position
Every true Democrat-every opponent
Radicalism-will work and vote for hin