The Irish standard., 1906-09-29

The following is the opening adj
dress of Governor John A. Johnson,
covering the issues of the present CAM
paign in this state, delivered at Red
Wing on the 18th inst. 1t is mag
nificent presentation of the grounde
upon which he asks for reelection,
and is a splendid recital of what has
been accomplished during the past two
years by the present chief executive.
Governor johnson said:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
mem
Z Two years ago the people of Minne-
sofa. departing from their usual GUS
tom, chose a. representative. Of the
minority party, as governor of this
commonwealth. It was my fortune to
have been named by the Democracy
as their candidate for chief executive.
And their choice was duly ratified by
che people Of the state at the polls.
>, The close of my ofacial term now be.
1ng near at hand, come again before
the people asking the Endorsement Of a
re-election at their hands.
The time has arrived, therefore,
when it is fitting render an account
of my stewardship. The people who
elected me have a right to know
whether or not have been worthy of
The confidence reposed in me; whether
have fulfilled my pledges to them and
have been loyal to their interests;
whether have been diligent, compe-
tent and efficient in the performance
Of my official duties; in short, whether
I have kept the faith and fought the
good fight of and for our common
wealth.
There are a number of achievements
Of which and my associates are just
ly proud; but standing higher and
above all these, we are proud of this
fact, that we have abided by the
laws of the state; that we have en-.
forced the laws as we found them upon
the statute books, and that, to the best
Of our knowledge and belief, there has
been on our part no violation of the
spirit or letter Of single law upon
the statute books of our state. q
In my administration of the duties
Of this high Office I have been prompted
by the single motive of administering
the laws for the government of all the
people as laid down by the representa-.
tives of the people. have maintained
Tor myself and for those subordinate
to mo, that if it was incumbent upon
the people, the sovereigns of our COM
monwealth, to yield the strictest ODE.
dience to law, 1t was in a fuller sense
the absolute. duty of their public SER
wants to yield obedience to the law
and loyalty to the public interest.
Ful6iIment Of Pledges.
Two years ago the Democratic
party, In its platform and in the
acceptance speeches of its candidates,
made certain promises to the people.
1t is q matter of special pride with me
on this occasion that every such. prom
ise has been. kept; that not a pledge
has been broken; that we. have kent
faith with the people. who reposed
their confidence in us. Conditions
change from time to time, and issues
change from time to time. There are
some things eternal. First and fore-
most among these is the right Of a
people to. govern themselves; and
secondly, the duty of the public onacer
to be true to the trust reposed in him
:. by the people. Firm in the belief that
ths Promises. Of the past have been
kept, snd realizing full we'll the cares
and responsibilities of the future
should aSain be called to this hixh
position. ! now pledge to devote my
self and every energy Of which am
possessed to the honest fulfllment of
duty along the same lines Of conduct
'-'ah have ruled ana governed me