The Irish standard., 1906-11-10
GOVERNOR JOHNSON.

GOVERNOR JOHNSON.
The independence and intelligence
of the voters of the state of Mime
sofa have been shown to a greater
extent than was expected by the vote
that was given to Governor johnson.
The increased majorities which he
has received in every community Of
the state show that the people think
well and act wisely. There was no
reason why any one who voted for
John A. Johnson in 1904 should not
many reasons why voters who voted
against him in 1901 ought to have
voted for him in 1906.
The election marks an epoch in the
state Of Minnesota. For the first time
in it's history IL Democratic governor
has been reelected to succeed himself
and that, too, by All increased major
ity. 1t means that the voters of the
state have been emancipated. Party
machines can no longer nominate
anybody and rely solely upon the
party name to carry the candidate to
Office. The Republican candidate
doubtless, is a. good man, but his can-
didacy meant nothing except that he
and his friends wanted the Office He
was nominated not because Of any
thing he stood for but because he Of
fered the means Of defeating candi-
date before the Republican conven-
ton who stood for something. From
the first his candidacy meant nothing
except an attempt TO get the offices.
His friends urged his election because
he was a Republican. They could
have had no reasonable expecta ton
Of electing him were 1t not for the
party name. The party name has
failed and it will fail in the future
whenever a like condition of affairs
present themselves. II is a great
thing for The state Of Minnesota. We
are assured of a good governor for
two years more.
Governor Johnson by virtue of the
election becomes national figure.
His work in the insurance investiga-
tons brought lin prominently before
the country, but his reelection by a
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In a Republican state like Minnesota
singles him out as 81 man of extraor-
binary popularity. His first admins
tration is a guarantee that his second
administration will add to his fame.
No other man in the whole country
can show such a political victory. If
the same victory was achieved by a
Democratic candidate in the state of
New York it would certainly make
him the next presidential candidate.
Governor johnson is sure to be mem
toned frequently during the next two
years in connection with higher hon.
Ors. Horace Boies became a promi-
nent candidate before the Democratic
convention of 1896 because the Re-
publican state Of Iowa successfully
elected him to the governorship. The
election returns show that it would
have taken an extremely popular Re-
publican to have defeated Governor
johnson. 1t Is probable that no one
could have done so. There were no
weak spots in his record and his abil-
ity in presenting his own case has
never been equaled by any candidate
in Minnesota. When it is remembered
that Governor johnson alone and un-
aided has accomplished this great vic
tory against all the Republican state
leaders, including Senators Nelson
and Clapp. and against national lead
ers such as Vice President Fairbanks
and Secretary Shaw, the result is
amazing. Republicans Of national
reputation have covered every por-
ton of the state, and yet everywhere
the people focked to Governor john
sons standard in increased numbers.
A man who is able to accomplish such
results is not the mere accident of
fortune. He has great positive
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