The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-09-28
WOULD BE PRESIDENT
g.oM l.. JOHNSON AsPIREs TO
 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
Though Possessing Millions, He Teaches Single Tax-Hopes to Right Social Evils He Sees
 Around Him.
cleveland O. Special Correspondence to

N N'cN eidHu tC.D SpeCldl COTreSpOnue0ce 10
 Chicago Chronicle.
 Who but Mayor Tom l.. Johnson of Cleveland of all public men in the United States while aspiring to the Democratic Presidential nomination. would dare to approach the voters at campaign meet inGs In $500 red automobile? Anu who but he would dare offend the wage earners by taking a valet to a Demo cratic State convention?
 MT. Johnson is one of the most unique characters in American politics. He is q shrewd, magnetic man of force and sf- fabinty-a man of resources, splendid business ability and mental agility. who uses his talents in getting there''--a slang expression which nts the situation exactly. for Tom l.. Johnso n nearI.; always succeeds in what he undertakes.
 He is curious compound of contradic- uons. In fact. were one to believe in equal proportions the statements made about Mir. Johnson by his friends and enemies he could form no other impress sion Of the man than that he was a sort of 'Jekyll and Hyde"
 Compound of Contradictions.
 Where he is best known in public af- fairs he has reused both ardent admira- tion and hostile criticism. Some believe him sincere, frank brave and high minded beyond all other party leaders. Others look upon him as d bold, scheming hypo- crite. Apparently he is a man of high and broad ideals, but many times he has proved himself intensely practical when the occasion required. He allows nothing to stand in his way when he wants to get there"
 Is Plutocratic Democrat.
 Intensely Democratic, he Is at the same nl1lfDFrafir a q hahI all times and is always a perfect gentle man. His home on fashionable Euclid Avenue. famed as the most ,aristocratic and elegant thoroughfare in the city, is big. costly three-story stone mansion. Probably nowhere in the country is there more splendidly appointed house-big. roomy. comfortable and luxurious. Several rooms on the second floor are used as library and offices by the mayor, for he does much of his public work at home and employs several clerks or sec- retaries there. who are always kept busy.
 Ii is hospitable hofne, as both the Mayor and Mrs. Johnson are Southern bred and are fond of society. They are members of Cleveland's -Four Hundred. ' Mrs Johnson is d woman of accomplish ments and is as popular in her circle as Is her famous husband in his. There are two other members of the family, their daughter. Bessie aged 20, who inherits the talents of her gifted parents and is popular in society, and their son. Loftin. = years old.
 Sells Out Business.
 When MT. Johnson returned to Cleve- land from Brooklyn, N. Y., several years ago to live. although he had never given up his residence here, and announced that he would devote the rest of his fife -,rrlt .t.. wrongs of the people. the announcement was not taken seriously uxtil it became known that he had disposed of all his vast business interests. so as to leave him free to carry out his ambition.
 Still many people were skeptical, as it seemed absurd and inconsistent for this apparent plutocrat. who had made mil lions oi dollars as a. monopolist. to turn around and denounce the very institu- uon. the very methods by which he had grown rich, while still retaining the money which he admitted he gained wrongfullv. as he says, in moral sense, but not disherrstIy. "Why does he not give away his money" they asked. If he believes that way and has had change of heart"'
 His Clcse friends, his mouthpieCes, an swered thus: By reading Henry Georges Progress and Poverty and Social Prob lcms' the principles advocated in these publications took possession of him and wallened his conscience and changed his whole future career. He came to feel that the single tax was a simple. rational method of applying to present society the principles of right and justice which Moses taught and which many prophets. poets and economists have seen. To him to proclaim this iydspel of the single | hHa .J, him unique character among men of wealth So Mir. Johnson decided to use his fortune and devote 1t and all his ef- forts to the destruction of the institution of land monopoly by the method known as single tax. and to do this without re- gard to it's ultimate effect upon his per sonal fortune and without any erecta- tions meanwhile of an impossible con | sistency between his private business. in | which monopoly was factor. and his | public work of abolishing monopoly"
 Breaches Free Trade.
 Mir. Johnson several years before had | served two terms in Congress for one of | the Cleveland districts. As q Congress- man, he was an ardent free trader
 As soon as he returned to Cleveland and | his intentions MT. Johnson set | fo work to "eet there," the goal being the | Presidency of the Tinted States His |
  frio nds say he does not want this exalted | office for itself or himself but hopes that nv getting 1t he can bring about better | he great radical reforms he advocates. l So he again entered the mire of politics | His plans were to gain the mayoraiity 1 1T Cleveland, then the control of the | Democratic State machinery then he | would be elected Governor or Senator and | hen to the Presidents chair He is all | 'eady Mayor of Cleveland. and now has control of his party machinery in Ohio | md is hard at work for the ticket he lictated at the recent Democratic State at Sandusky. where he was n absolute control and recognized as the State party leader.
 Because of this remarkable mans ambi- ion the campaign in Ohio just begun will be the most unique and hard fought n the history of the State. MT John on has set the pace and has assumed ersonal leadership. TO attract more at entIon to himself and the ticket he pur- hased big circus tent that seats 3,5OJ enVlp and os 3f