Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-10-24
THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Gen. johnson Takes the Fleld-He Is En-
Enthusiastically Received as the Champion
of Minnesota's Honor-Party Lines Bro
ken Down, and Democrats and Repub-
licans Join Hands In Rescuing the
Honor and Credit of the State-Gen.
johnson Attempts to Corral Hubbard on
the Bond Question, but the Heir at Law
of the Estate of the Old Ring" Gives
Him the Slip-The Public Demand That
the Democratic Ticket" Shall be the
peoples Ticket"-Gen. johnson Inter-
viewed by a" Globe" Representative.
Gen. r. W. johnson, the gallant standard
bearer of the Democratic party in this state,
returned to st. Paul Saturday afternoon, and
in an interview with GLOBE representative
fully confirmed the reports heretofore pub
lished of the enthusiastic reception he has re-
eeived at the hands of the people regardless of
party, while canvassing the state during the
last week. The General is in the
best of spirits, and wears the
appearance of man who
understands the situation and es battle to
win. The wreck of 'Honest John" and the
old guard of the Republican party, in this
state, was brought about by such managers
as Hubbard, the standard bearer of the repu-
diators, but if the signs of the times are not
very deceiving. Gen. johnson will give the
Hubbardites and their treason to Minnesota
as sound thrashing as he gave jeff Davis
and his followers in their efforts to destroy the
Union. Enough has doubtless transpired
during the last week to cause Hubbard to very
seriously doubt whether he will be able to
bury "Honest john" because he favors pro-
tecting the honor of the sta.e) and defeat
ticket composed of the best men in Minr esota,
by simply relying on the strength of party
he has betrayed, and whose intelligence he toll
erates-withOut voice-only with the view
of their lending responsibility to his manage
ment. The reporter found the general very busy
looking over large mail accumulated during
his absence, but he expressed his willingness to
give all. the time he had at his disposal, which
was improved by asking as to the political
outlook and the feeling of the people in the
counties he had visited. The general replied:
81 have found the situation all that could
be expected, or, indeed, desired. The people
are decidedly in favor of paying the bonds
The settlement of the bond question is, in fact,
the leading issue in the campaign. When
it is explained to them that the bendholders
dollar, and that the state will be able to pay
that amount by the sale of the internal i'm
provement lands, thus removing the stain of
reputation without resort to taxation, nearly
or quite all are willing to settle the matter.
The decision of the supreme court has caused
many who objected to the payment of the
bonds to change their minds on the subject,
and believe the measure, when submitted to
the people with this representation, will carry
by a large majority.
Reporter-What is popularly regarded as
Gen. Hubbard's position on the bond qRes-
ton?
General-The opinion varies in different
quarters. In few localities he is regarded as
favorable to their settlement, but generally he
is considered opposed to their payment. 1
wrote Gen. Hubbard inviting him to join me
in discussion, before the people of the state,
OF the principles enunciated in the platforms
of our respective parties, and requested him
that in case he could not accompany me, TO
favor NE with his views on the bond question,
so that | might not misrepresent him. He
did not reply to my letter, but called in per-
son and thanked me for the invitation, but
asked to be excused on the ground of press
ure of business. He said he had heretofore
favored the payment of the bonds, but did not
inform me just how he stood in this cam
paign.
Rep.-Perhaps he regards letter writing as
dangerous and don't wish to define his position.
Gen.-HOwever that may be, the fact that
he secured his nomination at the hands of the
ring of his party favoring reputation, and
has refused to define his position on this
question in writing, when called on to do SO,
is in itself sufficient to warrant the people in
placing him just where they have, at the
head Of the repudiating political forces of
this state.
Rep.-You think, then. that the people have
assigned him the position of leader of the re-
pudiating column?
Gen.-Yes, and the few exceptions only
prove the rule, and might add that it is now
too late for Gen. Hubbard to change his course.
He had the same lights before him at the
meeting of the convention which nominated
him and excluded from the platform on which
they placed him, any reference to preserving
the honor and credit of MINES ota that they
now have. There is nothing new. To now
change would be to make an open confession
of his desire to be governor of this state, re-
CARELESS Of the means he might find necessary
to secure thesposition. The tide set in strong
ly in the direction of meeting the obligations
of this state. about the time Gen. Hub
bard was nominated, and has been gathering
strength ever since. There are no party
lines now. They have been broken down by
the people in their determination to meet the
issue honestly and regardless of the tricks of
party managers. The most radical and con-
sistent Republicans in this state are support
ing me and advocate my election. In fact had
l not been nominated by the Democrats 1
should consider myslf the peoples candidate.
Rep.-Do you find party ties strong?
Gen.-Not by any means. In fact just the
reverse. Party lines have been obliterated by
the force of circumstances. The Republicans
are supporting the Democratic ticket because
it is the only one for which they can vote
without voting to repudiate the obligations of
the state.
Reptile Democratic party will receive
the credit of meeting the issue squarely and
firmly, will it not, Notwithstanding you may
owe your election to votes obtained outside
your own party?
Gen.-Undoubtedly it would, and while
am Democrat, and was nominated by the
Democratic party for governor of the state,
vet, if elected by the votes of men who rise above
party and look to the Interests of the state,
1 shall, trust, be guided and inspired by the
same feelings and sentiments with which
Thomas Jefferson-the father of Democracy
met an issue of the same character.
Thanking the general for his kindness, the
GLOBE representative withdrew.
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