The record-union., 1896-10-14
Congressman JoElnsOn'S Speech.

(Stockton Record, October 13th)
The address of Congressman Grove
l.. Johnson Saturday evening was we'll
calculated for the occasion. It cleared
away the prejudice that his opponents
have so assiduously endeavored to in
troduce to complicate the campaign and
left him towering in the directness,
courage and strength of his position.
1t was neither a defense" nor a win
dlcauon; he is in need of neither. 1t
was an admirable and statesmanlike
presentation of the principles of the
Republican party and a candid review
of his own record for the single session
OF Congress-a record for influence and
accomplishment that has never been.
paralleled by any Representative sent
from this State or this coast.
Mr.. Johnson made votes by his
speech. He did not pretend that his
speech was for any other purpose. 1t
was intended to make votes for the
Republican party and for himself, and
it accomplished the purpose. There
was no subterfuge, no manifestations
Of deceit, no resort to cunning and po-
htical adroitness for the purpose of
avoiding issues. 1t was manly, high
minded, emphatic.
AAA> AsSNOAo ACSAS Pol dt-
ified that there was no attempt to
''straddle," no avoidance Of the the is
sues, no abuse or vilification. He treat
ed his opponent, Mr.. de vries, in a most
gentlemanly way, said not a word
against his ability. sincerity or hon
esty, but reminded his hearers of the
value of experience in the halls of
Congress, and called attention to the
fact that every newly elected Con-
gresham must have a period Of pro-
baton, term of comparatively in
active service before he can be of any
great assistance to his district or con-
stttuents. This every voter should
Know. but unhappily many Of them
forget it in the excitement of the cam
paign.
Grove L. Johnson made two claims
that cannot be disputed. He claimed
that the Republican party had re-
deemed every pledge made to the peo-
pie at large, and that he had fulfilled
every promise that he had made to the
people of Stockton and his constituents
generally. There is no disputing this
Mr.. Johnson promised nothing at his
election two years ago that he has
not ably and cOurageously fought for
and with the best of results. He GER
tainly did more for this city and for
the Improvement Of the San Joaquin
River than any previous Representative
from this district, and as Mr.. Johnson
very clearly put it, the obligation is not
all one way. If he has done his duty
the people should do theirs. It Is not a
question Of rewarding Congressman
Johnson. but Of subserving the peoples
best interests. 4 public official, and
particularly one that is in the legisla.-
tive departm of the Government
who has the ability and courage to act
and the candor to tell the people In ad-
vance how he viii act, is too valuable
TO be discarded for the mere sake of
experiment. 1t Is a good year for ex-
perience. for sage councils, for ac-
CURED influence and position. There
are hundreds of districts In the United
States that wish they had a Represen-
to tive of such ability and standing.
who had been tested and proven him
self true to his district without being
untrue to his party or his country.
There are those in other districts that
take similar interest in the reelection
OF Congressman Johnson that the Re
pubhcans Of the whole country do In
the return of Speaker Reed. He is
good man for the country, a good
man for his State, and has given testi-
mony by his Congressional deeds Of
his worth to San JOAQUIN