Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-03-11
JOHNSONIS. TROUBLES.
Situation at Washington Regarding
the Congressman Sized up by
a Correspondent.
Criminal Appeal IN the Case Of Attor-
ney Taylor crum Of Fargo Filled
in the Supreme Court.
Johnson's Troubles.

Johnson'S Troubles.
Washington correspondence st. Paul
Dispatch: Sensational writer's here,
having seemed to revel in reported dis
sensions between Senator Hansbrough
and Congressman Johnson, your CORE
spondent has endeavored to ascertain
the facts. North Dakota was the only
one of the new states that went for Nc
Kinley in 1896. This was brought about
through the most expert management
on the part of Hansbrough and his
friends. Both the senator and con-
gresham took part in the campaign,
speaking every night during the last
month of the contest, and the senator
was in close and constant communica.
ton with the state committee at Fargo,
giving advice and counseling with the
leaders. The night before the election
he predicted 5000 majority; the major
ity was $500, except as to congressman,
johnson running about 1000 behind the
ticket. In the senatorial election, Hans
brough had no opposition, receiving the
unanimous caucus nomination.
When Mckinley was inaugurated
president, it was decided that Hans
brougb, being the only republican in
the senate from North Dakota. should
have the presidential patronage in the
state, and johnson the fourth class
postoftices. This was the arrangement
under Harrison when Hansbrough was
in the house. johnson. however re-
belled against this order, and has worn
out much unnecessary shoe leather 60
ing to the White House and the depart
ments with protests, charges, etc.,
against persons recommended by the
senator. The administration has stood
It's ground firmly, recognizing the re-
publican organization in the state
through the senator, and rejecting
%Johnson's protests and advice as to
presidential offices. So that whenever
an appointment of this class is made
the sensational writer's howl about
Johnson's being 'sturned down" and
make all manner of dire predictions as
to the effect on republicanism in the
state.
Meantime johnson has some real
trouble to contend with. The fourth
class postoffices in North Dakota num-
Der about 600. The presidential places
do not exceed fifty. In the aggregate
there is just Is much strife over a
fourth class postoffice and about as
great a number Of applicants for it as
there is over and for a big federal posi-.
ton. johnson is by no means on friend.
ly terms with the state organization and
rather than take the recommendations
OF the party machine to aid him in de-
termining appointments at his disposal
as does the administration, he has gone
to extremes in the other direction, Gre
ating ''little bosses" of his own, ap.
pointing men entirely new and untried
in politics. The decided falling off in
Johnson's majority at the last election,
combined with the outcries against his
fourth class p%ostofice stewardship, has
warned him that another race for the
house would be inadvisable, SO it is re.
ported that he will take his chances
with the next legislature and try to 20
the senate to succeed Roach. Eight
years in the house has enabled him to
save quite a sum of money. He has
also paid for a large farm, so that he
could 60 back to private life under a
lasting debt of gratitude to the repub-
lican party and his own ancestry.
saw Senator Hansbrough a few days
ago and asked him if it was not true
that johnson was being "turned down"
in the matter of appointments. The
senator said the policy of the admins.
tration in regard to the division of the
state patronage seemed to be the wises{
that could have been adopted. The
president was carrying out the wishes
or n party organization in all the
states. In the light of all past political
experience this was the sensible course.
The senator would not discuss johnson.
saying that for his part he had no
quarrel with the congressman.
Criminal Appeal Filed.
The criminal appeal in the case of
Taylor Crum of Fargo has been filed in
the supreme court for hear;no Of ~