Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-24
He DESERTS THEM.
Hon. c. F. Johnson of Water
vile Withdraws His Name
As a Presidential E|ector on Chicago
Platform Democratic Ticket.
Announces Himself for Palmer and Buckner
on Sound Money Lines.

Waterville, Sept. 23.-(SpeciaD.-Ot
| all politicians in Maine or the country
over there i not one that commands
more of the high regard and esteem OF
his political opponents than does Hon
Charles f. Johnson of this city.
All through the vissitudes and defeats
| of the numerous campaigns in which
| he has nanfully struggled to lead his
party to victory he has maintained tn,
| title given him, by everyone on eithel
| side of the political fence that know
| him best, of being Honest Charlie,
| Johnson
| At the Democratic State convention
| held at Portland, MIR. johnson, it vii
he remembered presided in an admir-
able manner and was honored by tina
convention with being named as on,
| of the Democratic Presidential electors
| When the breezes Of the great Yves
reached Maine bearing the breath o
| the Free Silver fever. ana as a resul
| the second Democratic State conven
ton was called. Republicans an
| Democrats alike wondered what posi-
ton Mr.. johnson would take
| At that time Mr.. johnson would no
| talk on the subject and il was believet
| that ne had not determined upon wha
| course he would pursue, but the event.
of today. show that he had taken &C
| ton in the matter many days befor
| the second convention was convened
| Today, Mr.. Johnson sent to the secre
| tary of State, his resignation as Presi
| Dental elector on the Democratic ticket
The Journal, having learned of tn,
above, called on Mr.. Johnson. at hi
office on Main street. this afternoo'
| and succeeded in obtaining the follow
| ing which will be of interest. In repi
| 10 the question, Have you sent in you
| resignation as Presidential elector?
| Mr.. Johnson replied:
"Oh, let that go. 1t is a very small
matter. of no consequence and / ha|
rather nothing should be said about it.
Mr.. Johnson was urged to give hi
reasons for resigning and questioned
to why he had waited so long.
1T is not a matter thought of lately
Early in July | notified Chairman
Hughes of the State committee that
could not remain on the ticket an
asked him to see to it that my plaC
was given to some one who could con
scientiously run on the ticket
elector.
Il have had letter from Mr.. IIughe.
under date of July 81, in which h
acknowledges the receipt of my letter de
Ginning to serve longer. So you can see
that had made up my mind TO do thi
even before the second convention wa
called. Mr.. Hughes promised me h
would see TO the change before time 70
cling OF the papers with the secretary 0
state. and | supposed. until yesterday
nat the State committee had attended I
The matter. | saw Secretary Reane. yes
terday, and asked him about the matter
and he knew nothing of it whatever.
Therefore, today. ! wrote to the secre.
tary of State. formally declining to re
main longer 4 candidate for Presidential
eiector on the Democratic ticket. and a
the same time ] wrote the secretary
State a letter stating that | had alsC
sent my resignation to the Democratic
State committee | have done this tina
there may be no complications about tn
matter.
Now, Mr.. johnson. how about you
reasons for resigning?'
"Oh. for that matter. Chairman Hughe
understood my reasons at the outset.
had made up my mind that could no
conscientiousiy support the ticket. ] hat
made up my mind to vote for the tickle
drawn by the indianapolis convention
even before that convention WAS held
propose to vote for Palmer and Buckncr
and therefore | would not be consisten
If | allowed my name to be used on on.
ticket and then gave my support to an
other. man is in a pretty hard fix. isr
he, when he cannot vote for himself?'
Mr. Johnson laughed lightly ana con
tinucd:
Il am one of the petitioners for the
Palmer and Buckner ticket l have cir
Waterville people and We have secured
enough names TO guarantee that the
ticket will be placed on the official ballot
You may say that l have never changec
my political views. but stand. today. for
sound Democracy and sound money"
Journal readers may remember tina
during the few days previous to the con
veninG of the second Democratic State
convention there was considerable in
quiry as to whether Charley johnson
would preside, and that dispatches il
vention stated that Chairman Hughes
and Secretary Became of the State com
mittee called on Mr. Johnson at late
hour. the night before. to see if he wouid
he able to preside at the convention, Mr.,
Johnson being confined to the house with
Il rheumatic attack. Messrs. Hughes and
Bean announced to the press, on their re-
turn from Mr.. Johnsons that that gen.
tleman would preside. provided he was
able to get down street.
Mr.. johnson got down street before 8
o'clock the next morning. The conven-
ton was not called to order until II
o clock but Mr.. Johnson did not preside.
which fact is good evidence to support
Mir. Johnson's statement. today, that the
State committee knew he was opposed to
the convention.
Had Mr.. Johnson been in favor of the
silver convention, he would have been
chosen to preside. but he did not preside.
and therefore his statement, today, that
he had. prior TO the calling of the second
notified the Democratic State |
committee of his intention to decline to
a candidate for electOr, cuts ice
from the Canada line to the sea.
Maine Pensions.
washington Sent % The follow. inc |