The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-10-01

"poi4s lne night OF September24. MT.
Johnson was at his best and in a man
ner strong and forceful outlined his
position and the policy of the demo-
cratic party on the current state is
sues. Congressman Lind and other par
" leaders were in attendance. Many
republicans were present. Mr.. John
son spoke as follows:
John A. Johnson's Speech.
When Mr.. Johnson, who was the last
speaker, was introduced, there was a
great demonstration and many cheers
were given for the democratic guber-
material nominee. Mr.. Johnsons speech
In full is given below:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men: The democratic party of this
state has honored me with it's nominal
ton for governor and has commits
stoned me to lead the party host in the
impending conflict. In accepting the
honor of that nomination 1 did So
knowing full we'll the cares and re-
go with it. AS the representative of
the party it becomes my duty to give
the reason why, in our judgment, we
should succeed.
In discussion of the cause I shall
rot descend to a personal considera-
ton of my opponent-this is not
personal quarrel between Individuals
and if to reach the executive Office
must crawl through the sewers of per-
sonal abuse shall not be chosen to the
high Office of governor of this great
state. The public has many rights
in this election; it has the right, first
of all, to know that the man chosen
to this high office, as well as every
other office, shall be the servant of all
the people and not the servant of any
particular class or any set of indi-
viduals. 1t has the right to know that
he will be true in his support of the
constitution of the nation and state,
and that he will obey and enforce
obedience to the law, and that striving
for right, absolute justice and the best
interests of the state, the poorest citt-
zen will know that he stands for the
whole state and nothing but the state.
The issues in campaign may change
from season to season; there is 10
change in the right of the human race
to enjoy liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness and no man who does not
believe in that right should ever be
chosen to a position of public trust
Human beings are prone to err, men
may make mistakes, but the impulse
for right will bring man to do his
duty; the impulse to do wrong newt
ably leads to failure and ruin.
Then what are the issues IN this cam
paign? The dominant party has de-
clared its platform; we have ours.
Someone in jest has said that they
were SO much alike that it was diff
cult to tell one from the other. II
that be true then the question for de-
termination is the character, ability
and quality of the nominees. If that
be the standard I say of our ticket:
There they are, from governor to rail-
way commissioner; we ask for com"
parison and ask for your honest judg-
ment, free from political bias and
dict.
DEFINES CAMPAIGN ISSUES.
But there are certain issues which
are paramount as they concern the
people most. In a speech at Duluth
a few days ago my opponent opened
his campaign, and, silent upon some
questions, laid special stress Gil the
primary election law. the gross carr
roads, tax legislation, assessment of
iron mines, the board of control and
other subjects. A few of these ques-
lions shall treat in detail; the re-
mainder in a general way.
AS to the primary law and its eX-
tension to include state officers let
me say this: The primary law is still
a crude law and as it exists now per-
mits so many abuses that it needs to
be corrected before being extended.
And yet, when we remember the meth
DDS employed by the convention which
nominated him, it is not surprising
that there comes a suggestion OF
law is here to stay, as is every other
law which gives to the people the
fullest rights to directly control their
own affairs, and whatever opinion one
may have had as to it's original crea-
ton, no one now would dare to at
tempt to abridge that law. AS one
who helped to make it and at the time
of it's enactment urged that the state
officers be included, I now doubt the
wisdom of such a change, believing
that we should first make good what
we now have. All judicial offices
should by all means be removed from
the primary system and nominations
be by non-partizan conventions.
Swamp land drainage is a business
proposition. and it admits of no argu-
ment. Someone has said that he who
makes two blades Of grass grow where
hut one grew before is benefactor.
It is good business policy for the state
of Minnesota to convert this class OF
land into farms for the Minnesota set
tier.
The question Of good roads has
nassed the theoretical stage and mas
advanced SO far that it is no longer
an issue. The question of good roads
is settled question and only the de-
tails remain. Speaking of tax legis-
lation, Mr.. Dunn says: The opera
tion of our present tax laws are very
unsa tisfactory a large portion of in
tangible property escapes taxation al
together"
Upon this he and are agreed, al
though he might have added that no
system of taxation is just which COM
nels the cotter's home to bear the great
or burden of taxation. that corporate
wealth may enjoy special privileges. L
hel;eye III a constitutional amendment
which would permit an income tax on
credits, and that class OF property
which now escapes taxation entirely.
commend his 'utterance in which he
praises the veterans of the war. 10
the grizzled patriot who offered his all
that this country might no perish we
have only reverence and love. Inc ma,
tion cannot be too generous to him and
society owes him a debt that it can
never repay. The old soldier is our
first citizen and is entitled to that con-
sideration at the hands of the nation
which will make his declining years
both peaceful and happy. Mr.. Dunn
and will take no issue there. 1t Will
be remembered that the convention
which nominated him did not appear
to share this sentiment, however.
GROSS EARNINGS TAX.
NV opponent. in his Duluth speech,
laws special stress on his approval OF
the constitutional amendment increas-
ing the gross earnings tax of railways
from 8 to 4 per cent. The platform
of his party is strangely silent upon this