The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1871-03-25

The contest among political aspirants for
Office il beginning to assume proportions Of
prominence in California, and shortly We may
be called into activity. In the Democratic
ranks. the candidates for gubernatorial hoDors
number several prominent gentlemen. each Of
whom having many friends as supporters, II
exercising his best endeavors to attain the
leading position. In the coming contest, the
Democracy will endeavor TO put before the
people its most available candidate, whose
principles will receive the Endorsement Of the
party toward the carrying out Of the measures
that will lead TO FINAL victory. Governor
Haight has expressed his political convictions
In an open and unqualified manner. and has
made many friends by the course he has pur-
sued. On the railroad question he is averse
to the granting of subsidies, and doubtless
will work honestly for the best interests Of
California. Many would support him who on
some important questions might differ with
him. he is not disposed to surrender the in
terests Of the tax payers for the benefit of a
few, and is averse to the building up of cor
porations and monopolies.
Hon. James A. johnson, who has Just re-
turned from Washington, where he has been
representing the Third District of California
in the lower House Of Congress. is another
candidate for the Governorship of that State.
he has labored earnestly and faithfully in the
cause OF Democracy, and will doubtless have
many supporters in his aspirations for the
nomination for the position of Governor. On
the evening of the 18th instant he addressed
his Democratic friends at Marysville upon the
political questions now before the people.
Speaking of the railroad subsidy question, he
regretted that it had been brought before the
Democratic party, as it was in no way party
measure; but having been made question of
Importance, he would inform them how he
stood in that respect. He considered the
granting of the FIVE per cent. subsidy act in
California as a most infamous scheme and a
gross violation of the constitution Of that
State, in appropriatins the tax payers money
for the benefit of a few favored individuals;
would advocate and labor for its immediate
repeal. He denounced the charges that lad
been made against him, in having voted while
in Congress for the interests of railroad
schemers, and with having voted for the
North3rn Pacific Railroad bill, as untrue,
though he did vote and work for the Southern
and Texas Pacific railroad grant of lands he
had introduced bill in Congress for a rail
road from Oroyille to Virginia by the Feather
river, and also for n railroad from Vallejo to
Humboldt Bay; which bills granted lands to
the companies, but il was on condition that
those lands should be sold at 81 % per acre
to actual settlers. He had worked to carry
out this provision in all railroad grant bills.
Mr. Johnson stated to his audience that he
should return to MarysyiIle in about a week
from that time; from which city he proposed
to start into the coming Canvass, when he
would give them his idens on the national pol
itics, and would inform them of the principles
that governed him before entering into the
The coming fight for the nomina-
ton Of Governor will doubtless be q lively
one, bu. We are convinced that whoever sue
ceeds in securing the position will receive the
influence Of the other aspirauts in
carrying California in the interests Of the
Democracy.