Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-01-20
JOHNSON BEGGING THE ISSUE.

One would be led to believe from the
attitude of certain inspired Johnson or
gans that the issue in this campaign is
Hansbrough instead of johnson. The
congressman having acknowledged over
his W signature his utter hclplessness
in the matter of patronagc-his admis-
sion that he is not, and has not been, in
touch with Mr.. Mckinley and his ad-
ministration-his direct charge that
members of McKinlcy's cabinet have
lied to him-all these things have forced
the Nelson county statcsman-who has
no supporters from his own county-to
of atfairs-some reason for this turning
down of North Dakota's representative
and the congressman comes out boldly
and charges that Hansbrough "held up
the administration--wouldn't vote right
on the tariff and money question until
patronage was forthcoming. In a recent
editorial the Fargo Argus says:
To be more specitic-it will be remem-
bcred that when NJ. N. johnson was do
ing faithful work for the republican
party as a leading member of the ways
and means committee in formulating the
and Hansbrough in the senate-began
voting with the free trade democrats on
preliminary amendments of the bill.
This alarmed the administration-for
without the votes of Carter and Hans
hrnIrh- fhn ,,nscnrn nf fhn fnrIff hill in
the senate was cndangered-and the
Mckinley administration was committed
to.thc enactment of a new tariff meas
urc.
.Aftervoting with the free traders, Car
ter and Hansbrough made their de-
mands on the president and heads of
departments. The hold up was a success
-Hansbrough got the appointments
which he dcmandcd-then delivered his
for the republican tariff.
The TRIBUNE editor, having been in
Washington at the time this hold up
is said to have taken place, knows this
charge against Mr.. Hansbrough is alb
solutely false. 1t is reasonable to sup
pose that the Argus editorial was in
spircd by Mr.. johnson for it was less
than three months ago that a promi-
nent republican from Richland county
told Senator Hansbrough that he had
asked Mr.. johnson why he (Johnson)
had no influence in the matter of APP
pointments, and that johnson replied
saying it was because Hansbrough had
threatened to vote against the tariff bill
and the administration was obliged to
give him the patronage in order to pass
the measure" The story was repeated
at Grand Forks and the fabrica-
ton was spread over the state, and is
now being used by Johnson's managers
as an argument in the senatorial con
test.
In the first place, had johnson spoken
truthfully when questioned by the Rich
land county gentleman, he would have
said that he was not turned down. by
the administration. In the matter of
patronage Mr.. Hansbrough insisted upon
the same policy that had prevailed in re-
gard to North Dakota, when Harrison
was president, and when Hansbrough
was in the house. At that time the re-
communication of the congressman was
accepted in the case of all fourth class
post office appointments, and Senators
Pierce and Casey were given the presi-
dental appointments. President Nc
Kinley adopted this rule and the first ap-
pointmcnt made under it was that of
John P. Bray for consul-general to Aus
tralia. The next of Importance was that
of P. McHugh for post master at Lang
don. Meantime Johnson's recommended
tons were given and he was recognized
as respects the fourth class post mas
tiers.
In the interest of harmony and peace
Senator Hansbrough cheerfully &C.
quiesced in the appointment of Olsgaard
for the Minot land office and also in the
appointment of Johnson's sponsor, Kent,
at Grand Forks at the request of Col.
Robinson. AS North Dakota had but
one representative in the house this was
considered to be a fair and equitable
division. When a member of the house
in 1889-189O, Mr.. Hansbrough made nc
complaint against this rule. He did not
attempt to square himself with his Of
flee seeking constituents by abusing and
misrepresenting Pierce and Casey. These
gentlemen and Mr.. Hansbrough worked
together for the welfare of the state and
there was no disagreement, no bitterness
or lying about appointments. MI. Hans.
brough, as representative, did not claim
all the patronage. because such a claim
wonld have been unreasonable.
The rule under which Mr.. H%anbrough
and MI. johnson are now making rec.
concentrations was established by Presi.
dent Harrison and it was adopted by
President Mckinley as far as North
Dakota is concerned.
AS regards the vote of Senator Hans.
brough on the tarif-he was always as
sound on the tariff question as Mr.. John
son or any other republican. In making
the schedules, however, he was not in