The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-05-19
JOHNSON ON THE A

As has been announced, Hon. J. G..
johnson of Kansas is acting as chair
man Of the Democratic national com. |
mittee during the absence of the regu.
of Arkansas, who has been forced to go
abroad for his health.
Mr.. johnson was one of Senator
Jones' trusted ~lieutenants during the
campaign of 1896, being the Kansas
member of the Democratic national
committee. He is Il leading member
OF the campiign committee. He is a
keen observer of public sentiment, and
his opinion of things political at this
time may be regarded somewhat as a
composite reflection OF the present con.
ditions. He says committees do not
make platforms, neither do politicians;
the people make Platforms" 1t is evil
dent from a conversation with Mr..
Johnson that this is the idea he is work
ing on, and that, SO far as his work and
influence go, the next platform of the
national Democratic party will be built
on the lines which the rank and file of
the Democratic party most desire.
IN MR.. JONES' STEAD
Senator Jones has requested me to
represent the Democratic national or
ganization in any matter requiring ac-
tion during his ABSENCE said Mr.. John
| CON IN u r,,,n,tnr fn,th., c. W,.1 Cl.l..
" and also to act as secretary until Mr..
Walsh returns. AS Mr.. Walsh is now
on his way home he will doubtless soon
assume the duties of secretary of our
national committee"
what is the nature of the work the
committee is now doing?" Mr.. johnson
was asked.
''The work now being prosecuted is
along the lines of organization and
finance. In less than a year the presi.
Dental campaign Of 1900 will be- upon
US, and in the history of the par
ty was there such need of prior prepar-
alton. Tilden's idea was that two.
thirds of the voters must be lined Ut
in favor of our policies and candidates
at the beginning of a campaign in or,
der to retain a majority at the cleo
ton, in view of Republican methods OF
coercion and corruption. Hence, the
need of active and incessant organiza.
ton during the coming year.
National elections have assumed
such proportions in this country" con-
tinued MIR. johnson, that the sum
necessary to put in operation the ordi'
nary machinery of a campaign and get
the voters to the polls is at best a large
sum. The committee must rollec,
what is needed to inaugurate anc cor
duct an honest, successful and legti'
mate canvass of the IA OUO, 600 voters
who will participate in the next cleo
ton, and as we must mainly look to the
rank and file Of u W party for what
we need, it is apparent that this branch
OF tue work needs continuous and ear
nest attention. 1t is on these lines
that the work Of The committee is being
prosecuted at present. 1t is being Car
ried on by the members in their vari'
Gus states, actirg in conjunction with
the state organizations.
party dissensions? There is nothing
in thu stories sometimes printed con
corning alleged dissensions in the
Democratic party or its management
Such stories yOn find invariably in Re
publican journals. l nave yet to SEE
the mar who helped make the Chicago
platform, or who voted for Mr.. Bryan
who has d thought of regret for either
act"