The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-15
COLE GAINING AS THE
CAMPAIGN PROCEEDS
Outlook in Minnesota Now Indicates Complete Re-
publican Victory~-C Conditions Differ So from Those
of 1904 that Estimates Are Impossible
By G. B. CHENEY.

s {,
John A. johnson is making the fight
of his life for reelection to the office Of
governor. Two years ago he was the
democratic nominee, as he today, but +
by, the candidacy Of Z. q. Dunn, and
thousands of republicans openly sup
ported Johnson. He was elected by !
1856 plurality, tho two candidates on
the republican state ticket received
over 100000 plurality, and President
Roosevelt carried the state by al61, 600.
It is harder shedding for Governor
j Johnson this year. He has the prestige
OF being governor, and draws good
crowds to his meetings, but be has no
prominent republican allies. Two years
age GO his ,e esmp 1 ran itsslf
came to him, not because Of the cam
paign he made, but i because they
wanted to defeat the republican candi-
date: Now.the governor and his demo.
cratic supporters are ma king heroic but
generally futile attempts to break into
the republican ranks for votes
A. l.. Cole has united the republican
party OF Minnesota. He has ignored
the fractional contest OF. two years ago,
for which he has general thanks. He
was nominated after sharp pre-con-
~ ''AoA SoiibCSl, puG Ny perfectly 1dii
means, and the soreness that existed
among defeated candidates and their
friends has disappeared. His record
has been subjected to the closest scrut-
my: by both republicans and democrats,
and has not been found, wanting. In
fact, his name is closely connected with
some Of the most important construe-
tive legislation of the past four years,
and his vote was right on all questions
affecting the interests Of the people.
tie IS not much Of an orator, but has
no trouble in making his position plain.*
He. has taken popular stand :, in his
campaign addresses and so is rallying
the: republican organization solidly to
his support. -. ,,=.J :@.:1<
The campaign started late, and has
not taken on much interest till within
the past few days.. Mr.. Cole was i'll at
the time of his nomination, and took
several weeks to get in good trim for
the. campaign. The democrats were in
no hurry, and no attempt was made to
start the state campaign till after the
primary election, which engrossed at
tention everywhere. The excitement
of the primaries was followed by re-
action, and it took some time to get the
state campaign under way. There were
no. scandals, and the issues advanced
were not marked enough to arose great
interest. Governor Johnson's key
| note speech at Red Wing, which he has
followed largely in his other talks to
the voters, was an "account of his
stewardship. - He dwelt mainly on his
share in the movement for insurance re-
form, the handling of the timber tres
pass question, and the reduction in
freight. rates.
The Rate Reduction Episode. - :
His part in the last named achieve
ment is vigorously disputed BY the re-
publicans. The facts are that the re-
publican legislature passed, resolutions
instructing the railroad commission tt
investigate and reduce rates. Tht
republican commission took up sthe CUES
ton and prepared maximum sch edulsss
making marked reduction in merchant
disc rates. Governor Johnson and Mr.
J Cole had both declared that rates were
too high, but the governor had not hell
commission, till after letter addressed
to the commission by the editor of tn
Rochester Post and Record brought .ou
the fact that they had not heard from
his excellency in any way. About thi
time the northern roads made. an offe
to reduce grain and coal rates if tn
commission would drop the merchandise
hearing. The commission received tn
offer but declined to consider droppin,
the merchandise rate question. Gov
ernor johnson then wrote the commits
sion, urging that the railroads be takel
at their word as to grain and coal rates
The railroads made the reductions vol
UNFAIRLY, and soon after the commission
ordered merchandise rates reduced
That order is being complied with. TIL
whole investigation has been started b,
a republican legislature land wound III
by republican commission. The gov
ernor's part was not essential and onl
incidental, showing himself in sympath
with the movement. z;;.-;~ r."
The republican press and speaker
} credit for everything done by the re
publican legislature and republica
state officials, and that his adminstra
: ton has been on the whole one of inaf
, tion. A. L. Cole not only has a credit
, able record in the legislature, but
well-earned reputation for aggressiv
work, and that is guarantee that
he is elected there will be more doin
at the capital.
Issue as to Legislation.
= Mr.. Cole has made q strong pre-
nouncement on the railroad question.
his speech at Zumbrota last spring
, long before his nomination, he mad
the point that much could be accom-
, plished by vigorous enforcement Of tn
existing laws. but he has also declare
, for some legislation to make the la'
more effective, among other things fo
an amendment to put the commission
orders into immediate effect, notwitl
standing appeal. Governor johnson ha
taken issue with him. saying that in b
belief the present laws are 'beth eff
Gent and sufficient" attic the demo
Ecratic platform demands addition:
: legislation regulating freight rates.
: order that complaints can be speedil
!. investigated and prompt relic
: granted:
:, : Having gone thru his term SO fl
4 without running against any serior
1snags, Governor johnson has an advan
, age, on account Of the voters who al
!, linclined to support the man in offie
l 1 but this advantage is sorely needed
: ! the face of the great republican m;
D dority. Conditions are vastly differeI
Il from two years ago, and the drift
/ the past three weeks has been strongl
! toward Cole. If it, continues in tt
: same way till three weeks from ne1
! 1, Tuesday, Cole will win by good-size
Drift Is Toward Cole.
a It is hard to get any accurate line Q
! :Econditions, as the republicans who i
:Etcnd to vote for Johnson are not sayin
Ianything, but the volume of tai
RI friendly to Cole indicates that he wi
4 tgain over Dunn's vote. In the distric
: Hwhere Dunn ran farthest behind tn
.Iyears ago, Cole stock is looking U
There are q good many straWs Wh1c
= F,L, Z / 49, So q