The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-06

low fare proposition and, together with
a number Of the disgruntled stockholders
Of the company. brought about reorgani-
zation, electing Horace Andrews to the
presidency Of the company and ousting
Everett.
Then johnson sold out his interests and
bought Brooklyn railroad. He after
ward formed a company with his brother
Albert and built electric lines between
New York and Philadelphia.
HE bitches ON IN PUBLIC LIFE.
In 1891 Tom johnson began his political
career. He developed an aptitude FOR
public speaking, which won him an election
to Congress 1t was in one OF his debates
that he stamped his personality upon the
people His opponent was Theodore Bur
ton. who is now member Of Congress from
the Twenty first District of Ohio and chair
man of the Committee ON Rivers and
Harbors.
Mr.. Burton is deliberate. scholarly
man. who speaks like q college professor
with great logic and forceif the congre-
cation be Of an academic turn Of mind as
he is. johnson, knowing his power over
an audience. challenged Burton to debate
The latter accepted.
johnson had the hall filed with his ad-
mirers long before the Burton people thought
Of arriving. When it came their time
there was little room left, and Burton was
at the mercy Of crowd Of johnson rioters
with just sprinkling of his own followers
The terms Of the debate were that each
should speak for forty-hve minutes and
then each have fifteen minutes for reply
Mr.. Burton began with long. dry. scholarly
address, logical. correct, filled with fact
and pressed home in the most masterfu
manner. But it was dead.
johnson came upon the platform. looked
placidly over the audience, put his hands
in his pockets, smiled cheerfully and winked
at the gallery There was sonnet hing ire
sistible in the way he did it. Before he
said n word the house WAS In roar. TheiI
minds were relieved after the long strain
to which Burton had subjected them.
Then johnson began one Of his snow.
storm addresses-one Of those wind -driven
rusty speeches-no drift. no logic. no sub
stance. lust talk 1t was filled with vapor
inRs, all pleasing, all witty and entertain
ing, and 1t caught the crowd.
When he chose to be forceful he straight
ened up, the genial lines about his face
became rigid, his lips were livid and his
ewes shot fire. He talked straight from
the shoulder, and put his sentences home
in n way that electrified the audience, He
was an actor transforming a sympathetic
mob. He coddled them, cajoled them
then stirred them up with the most vivid
statements
After that speech Burton arose, limp anc
bappard, and made feeble effort at reply
He was listened to by patient but borec
audience They yawned and wished fol
the last fifteen minutes OF that elect rifyint
speech OF johnson. II came with another
rush of wild feeling on the part Of the mob
The day was carried against Burton Tell-mell
That one debate lost Burton the election.
HUNTING THE OCTOPUS,
johnson in Congress- and in New Yorl
made friends with Henry George, thu
disciple OF single tax, He became devo
tee. and even now johnson expounds thu
sinple-tax doctrine with JUNCTION
Johnson no sooner became Mayor %
| Cleveland than he began talking wil'
stuff about the public service corporation
having their just share Of the taxes III
appointed a tax inquisitor and put int
Office n Socialist named Peter Witt, on
| OF the prime movers among the union labo
element Of Cleveland
The appointment was not IN line with TN
form Of government OF Cleveland AM
Johnson said he would pay ths expens'
| l..