The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-30
JOHNS0N'S STAR
IS ASCENDANT
The Cleveland, Ohio, Leaders Forces
Smash the Mclean Control
in Cincinnati.
Tom L. johnson Wins All the Ohio
Primaries and Will Control
the Convention. ~
Sketch Of the Man Who Is Rapidly
" Becoming a Democratic
..-s. Moses. -

Special to The Journal. s~.-- -
Cleveland, Ohio, Aug. so.-The good
news for Tom Johnson came from Gin
cinnati yesterday that the Mclean forces,
in control of the democratic machinery
there were thoroughly defeated and that
the Tom Johnson organization was on top.
It was the result of a bitter fight ending
IN a wild and sensational county conven-
ton. But Tom won out. The old bosses
were whipped and Rev. Herbert s. Bige-
nomination of secretary Of state. is looked
upon as the new democratic leader In
Cincinnati.
Johnson's Star Is Rising.
In fact. this Is a very jubilant day for
Tom johnson. Everything has been going
his way. He not only has won In all the
primaries throughout the state and Will
control the democratic convention next
Tuesday, but Senator Hanna has made
what Johnson considers a grave political
blunder, and. has placed the republican
party on the defensive. Under these cir
cumstances Mayor Johnson believes that
he will not only nominate his candidates,
but will able to elect them
II he could induce Rev. Morgan Wood
of Plymouth Congregational chucrh to ac-
cept a nomination to congress MS cup
would be full. Some mutual friends have
been laboring with Mr.. Wood trying to
persuade him to reconsider his determ1na-
tion and leave the pupit for the political
platform, but he will go to Chicago and
preach in the place of Dr. Thomas at Peo-
ple's church instead.
T.,- The Democratic Dictator.
Tom Johnson is the democratic dictator
In Ohio, and although the extirpation Of
bosses is one of the articles fhis polit-
ical creed, present company Is always ex-
cepted and he will lead the boys gently
as Shepherd. leads. his lambs and Will
let the rank and file of the party have
their own way as long as they do as he
tells them.
:. He has five conventions to oversee dur
ing the next week and not only has to Sc
lect the candidates but write the plat
forms and run the city Of Cleveland at
the same time, but he is capable of doing
that and more, too, and the beauty OF
johnson as a boss IS that he Is always
original interesting and unconventional
and never does things the way that other
people have been In the, habit OF doing
them His rigfnaii Sis the cause Of the
sduabble which now exists in. the state
and made an extra session Of the ,legisla-
ture necessary. -
zE.>a Mr. Hanna Was TOO Horess. ~ ,$,:sS :S
There is a good deal Of unea siness, and
in some places. among weak-kneed re-
publicans, \ CONSERVATION, because Senator
Hanna, at; Columbus the other day, ~ad-
vocated perpetual franchises for what are
usually called public corporations; that
is street car lines, electric and. gas; light
companies private waterworks, railways
and similar utilities Mayor johnson. and
Mr. Hanna are as far apart as the two
poles on. this question. from each other s
- L,,+ 70 cir,
mer down the principles they advocate
and, ana1yze the elements they agree
very closely with each: other upon the
essential points. It was only last week
that Mayor Johnson granted a perpetual
franchise to a gas company on the same
grounds that Mr.. Hanna advocated per-
petual franchises for all corpora tions but
nevertheless this Is a bad time for the
chairman Of the national republican com
mittee to be giving state legislature
such advice, for it furnishes the demo-
Gratis cry, for the campaign which they
+ needed badly. and the republican leaders
Hre afraid that they and their spellbind-
ers will be kept busy explaining what
Mr.. Hanna said and what he meant.
. johnson Out After Hanna.
As factors in the existing situation
Bryan, Cleveland, Hill, German and other!
who might be mentioned are to-day nj
doubt more important leaders than John
son. But these men have passed the
zenith of their power. They are not pro
crossing in influence. Johnson is a. ris
ing leader. - 49,"
The part he is playing in the publ,
life of his city and state, therefore, chal
.lenges attention, especially at this time
-.hen apparently he Is just about to steI
into the leadership Of his party in hi
state, under circumstances that are full
Of interest. : 'r ."''~ 80 4 =
1obnSnr jS ~ 1aro
began life poor and is now in the million
aire class. Apparently he is satisfied witt
his accumulations and is disposed to Civ
the rest Of his days to public questions
Being fellow townsman of Senator Han
ma; eJohnson's ambition well as hi
Ideas naturally bring him into conflic
with that great republican leader, an,
thus far Johnson has been victorious II
practically every encounter: The predic
ton IS made in many quarters that-Jofl
son, whatever he may secure for himsel
from the contest, may be the means O
preventing the election of Hanna a
United States senator by the legislator
to be chosen in the fall Of 1903 for a
the present time all the members OF TIL
Ohio! legislature from Cuyahoga county
In which Cleveland Is located. are demo
Gratis and friends of Johnson -, e
The Coming Election.
Meantime events are causing Johnso
and his friends to hope that the governo
and the legislature to be elected next yea
may possibly be democratic. 1t is the gen
eral opinion that Johnson will, be tn
dominating influence in the Democrat
state convention Sept. 9. The officers t
be elected this fall are not very importan
and democratic success at the polls is nc
anticipated but the hope is to make a goo
showing in preparation for the create
battle OF next year. If success shall at
stendz:his efforts then. johnson M <1o1t
Will be very formidable candidate for tn
presidency, whether he himself now In
tends 1T or not, and In any, event he
bound to be one Of the leaders who mus
be reckoned with Er Z -
Cleveland is normally republican cit,
vet Johnson was elected mayor last yea
bysa good majority. He at once attempts
toacarry out a constructive policy in TIL
interest of the people. He sought to pre-
vide lower street-car fares and cheape
gas He waged a fight for more eduftab]
taxation and succeeded In raising the As
sessments OF several public service col
porations.%
Issues Are to His Liking.
Outside tof Ohio johnson seems to I
known chiefly as a single-taxer and & mi
lionaire disciple OF Henry George.