The Irish standard., 1905-10-07
TOM JOHNSON AGAIN.

is In progress in the city of Cleve-
land. Tom l.. johnson, its present
mayor, has been re-nominated by the
Democrats. His Republican opponent
has challenged him to a joint debate
and the challenge has been accepted.
Tom L. Johnson is at his best in Il
political rough and tumble fight. He
is a good debater. possesses an
abundance of wit and a magnetism
that Is unusual. He was first elected
Mayor of the Republican city of
Cleveland in the spring Of the year
1901 by large majority. He was
reelected in the spring of 1903 by a
majority quite as large. The Repub-
lican leaders, desparing of being able
to dislodge him had the Legislature
pass law changing the time for
municipal elections from the spring
to the fall. The Republicans now
hope that with a long ticket in the
field and with national and state is
sues involved, they will be able to dis
pose of him. From reports it seems
that they will fail. Johnson is very
live factor in the city of Cleveland
Most people outside of Ohio have, no
doubt come to look upon the Mayor
of Cleveland as a political has BEEN"
His overwhelming defeat when he ran
for the governorship and his repeated
failures in state elections are not to
be taken as criterions of his standing
in the city of Cleveland. Mayor John
son has been characterized by Lin
coin Steffens as the best mayor Of the
best governed city in the United
States" During his more than four
years of power he has brought about
great changes for the good In that
city. There is no charge or suspicion
of graft in any Of tho departments
of the city administration. The Re-
publican Legislature of the state has
shorn the mayors office of great
deal 0f its former power with the
express purpose of curtailing john
sons influence. The influence of his
character, however, predominates
throughout every department of the
city and the officers elected with him
are in full accord with his ideas and
sympathies.
Mayor Johnson is an instance Of a
millionaire giving up his time and
ability to the cause of securing good
municipal government. He enjoys
politics as he enjoys every phase of
life. So different is he from his much
| talked of ow-townsnan, John d.
Rockefeller, that the lesson of his
| life is really refreshing. Often wealthy
men seek political position for the
| honor and the glamor connected there
with. Tom l.. Johnson seems to like
\ his job for the sole reason that it
gives him an opportunity to do some
really good work in the administra- :
ton of public affairs. He has made
an honest and persistent effort to Civ.
the city of Cleveland a three cent
car fare. So far as he was able he
has performed his part of his cam.
paign pledges. The validity of the
law is now before the courts of the
state. He promised the city of Cleve.
land an administration in which par.
tisanship would not interfere. Tha
promise he has fulfilled.
Notwithstanding his radical idea
upon taxation and other questions
Tom L. johnson is refreshing char
acter in public life. He brings t
his work the same enthusiasm that h
puts into every effort. Such a MAJ
, as John D. Rockefeller would doubt
! less give all his millions for the abil
lity to live and to work and to play a
Tom l.. johnson does These tw
men afford a contrast that is worth
/ of thought. Johnson has not the i'm
mense wealth Of Rockefeller yet
is worth several million. Rockefelle
: is at the present time the object c
: unsparing criticism from all source
r With all his wealth he, is picture
and he doubtless ia a discoura eed an