The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-09
JOHN w. JOHNSON
NOMINATED FIRST
Was Named for Governor by Referendum Vote--AL
legged Fraud in Socialist Candidacy Cleared Up by
Statement Of the Charlottesville Is State Secretary,
and Was Nominated Over Two Rivals in State
Primary @tz

fling.the petition, I was in Chicago and
received a letter from one of our state
committeeman, which asserted his be-
lief that it would be impossible to get
the names on the petition in sufficient
quantity by the time limit. But the
Letting Of signatures to the petition
kept up and even continued on the last
day for fling. This is the reason the
petition was held till the last minute. -
Don't Want Offices.
This si is FIR Frank paEg last last
one one claim that the he's s ese socialist
labor " Johnson can have any chance
Of election?. Is he known or identified
with any socialist labor movements Is
not the name "Johnson' his one and
only asset7''
Gin regard, to my chance of cleo
tion,' replied Mr.. johnson, "the aim
of our party primarily is not to get
votes. We want not vote that. does
not belong to us. Our present aim is
educational; to educate the working
class to voting politically for princi.
Piles to their own interests. It is but
a secondary consideration to get votes
merely for office. AS to whether I am
known or identified with any socialist
labor movement, my past history for
years proves that I rightfully am. AS
to the last part Of the question. it sim
ply happens that my name is johnson.
I think my only real asset is that which
gave me my nomination, the fact that
I am well-known in my party circles
as result of many years of active
work in this state for the things for
which the socialist labor party stands
How DR.. Cole Was Told.
ar, n,r ,e1,. o,e ,,ora Junction which
can be Better answered by reporter
Of The Journal than by any one
else. He asks: "Why did the re-
publican state committee within ten
minutes after the filing became public,
have a denial of any completely spread
broadcast over the state3"
The reporter in question was first ap-
preached by Frank A. Day in the CAPT
tol, and asked to take down state
ment for publication from him about
the John W. johnson petition. This
the reporter did. The reporter then
telephoned DR.. A. B. Cole, head of the
republican state committee, and told
him of the John w. johnson petition.
DR.. Cole expressed surprise. He was
then told Of Mr.. Days statement and
was asked what he had to say for the
republican committee. DR.. Cole then
te1ephoned his brief statement, which
was published that night in connection
with the statement first given by Mr..
Day. =.
Day Still Cries 'Fraud.'
The democratic committee is stiu
making the welkin ring with charges
of fraud. Chairman Frank A. Day
has replied to the offer made by Chair
:! sto cooperate in a word of caution to
: the voters about the confusion Of
names, and while he does not refuse
the offer, he neglects to accept it, but
uses the occasion to reiterate the
charges Of fraud. He declares that he
does not believe the, republican CONF
mittee guilty Of such a scheme, but that
the committee should take such action
as DR.. Cole has already stated, to do.
warn the voters. Mr.. Day concludes:
: When all the circumstances surround.
) ing the filing Of the petition in behalf Of
9 the socialist labor candidate are consd-
l cred, the obscurity of the candidate him.
self; the secrecy and expense with which
e the petition was circulated; the late hour
Q at which it was filed; the conclusion Is
7 irresistible that those who instigated tho
1 filing Of this petition did so with the
. sole purpose of deceiving the voters Of
this state in sufficient numbers to secure
the defeat of John A. Johnson, candidate
. ! of the democratic party.
: I believe that you recognize this fact,
l but the only way for you to sufficiently
repudiate this dastardly attempt to dis
franchise the voters of this state, is to
denounce in fitting terms the motive
which prompted the deed.
:. In my judgment your committee owes
> it to themselves to take this action. So
far as the democratic state central COM
mittee is concerned 1t will continue to sift
q this matter to the bottom, with. a view Of
!. tsuch action upon its part as may be
y deemed advisable in the future