The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
NIX. JOHNSTON'S DECLINATlON.
II. VI Johnston Declines Running
Tor Lieutenant Governor.


Tor Lieutenant Governor.
Austin Statesman.
We publish this morning letter from
Hon. r. NJ. Johnston, editor of The Hous-
ton Post, in reply TO letter to him from
Hon. I. N. Campbell, asking him to an
nounce himself a candidate before the dem
ocratic convention OF Texas for lieutenant
governor. 1t will be seen that MIR. John
ston declines 10 run for that position, and
he assigns most excellent reasons for doing
so. Mr.. Johnston is a thoroughly trained
and talented newspaper man, and COM
handing as he does, the facilities of u
first-class newspaper there is no doubt
that IN that capacity he can be mors useful
to the State than in any other where the
admiration of his fellow citizens could
place him connected with the State admin
istration.
While ii would be elevating to politics
and highly conducive to the good OF the
people of this State to have the ability
and influence of X. NJ. Johnston on It's
legislation. it would be withdrawing him
from much wider field of usefulness as
a journalist.
The Statesman would most oheerfully
have supported Mr.. Johnston for any office
within the gift Of the democratic party,
for 1t has the utmost confidence in him as
democrat, but We can not say that we
regret that he declines to run. A man with
his ability conducting a newspaper Of wide
and extensive circulation can be of much
more benefit to the people at large than
any politician, and ii would be sacrifice
for BIN to yield higher position for that
of lieutenant governor of any State.
There is one thing for which newspaper
men deserve a great deal more credit than
they get, and that is devotion to plain
duty That can not be overcome by any of
feS of political honors. They know the
Importance of their positions as editors of
newspapers. and they are aware of the
wider influence they exert In these posI-
lions, and although journalism has be-
come quite impersonal they had rather
serve in that obscure but much more in
tiuential way than to be the recipients OF
political honors. This is not because they
are devoid OF ambition. but T. arises large
" from n stern sense OF duty that IL Guilt
vated by Journalism, Nr. Johnston womb
make most excellent lieutenant governor
but ne is already mott excellent editor.
and he is wise and patriotic in holding ON
TO his present position of usefulness.
Better Than Public Officc.
Dallas Tmes-Herald
Mr., r. NJ. Johnston. editor Of the Hons |
ton Post, hns declined to stand for tho
democrats nomination for lieutenant gov
ernor There is scarcely a question hut
what the nomination this summer far that /
Office was matter OF his own wish His
long and thorough familiarity with Texas |
politics and politicians, the conditions md
'he needs of the State his peculiar sgnlp-
ment IN many respects. his numerous and |
warm friends among the lress ami The |
who were urging, mis- nomi-
nation. would have made him a r,os,
aecepiaoie candidate and the nomlna- /
ton. N'S-
In this decision he has shown a r,,r.
Teal sagacity we'll worthy of cons1css-
ticn and imitation by many others tn.
fascination for public office is so st-an,,es
y strong with pretty much ali nan.
aer OF people that many an inaiyid-
uai NaVes liked and reniuncrative
business Tor the ephemeral glories Of
almost any official place. and when
once In 1t his hunger grows by whar !,
'eeds on, until at last chance or aos ~
,ther things leaves him stranded ,,.,
'r'entimes helpless as back nun
reaiiy independent newspaper ecn-
'us'en On business principles and methoss
md run also IN the best interests OF The
'sopie ana the country as 1t honestly nm
Ieistands them, Is an agency of psrr,a-
' s ana power and profit as well far
ng, "''a-
Ana to be really Independent ,bs
ewspapsr must have regard Tor poll /
les rather than persons. the cste,al
le.aie ia'her than the promotion cf
a,uxanship' y must be under otli-
auons 20 none save the pspoio 1T
irge. ludical In temperament view I
nd EXPRESSION rather than a one. .,iasd >
npulsive advocate. II must hay. h
,aform OF Us own. which most ~ 4
igher than rariv, broader than selHshs I,
fss. u must be under the do;n,n,,,cn !,
no lash held BY rich or nnnr - ~ -. | !. !.