Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-12-17
Governor johnson.

Governor Johnson of Minnesota,
who is being doomed by many promi-
nent Democrats throughout the coun-
try for the presidential nomination
next year. is undoubtedly man OF
unusual ability, and the probability Is
that newspaper readers generally will
hear a great deal more Of him be-
tween now and July I, the date of the
Democratic national convention, if not
afterward The Washington CORES
pondent of the Charlotte Observer,
writes to his paper as follows:
Governor Johnson's parents came
to this country in the SOS and settled
near ST. Peters, Minn., where the
father worked at the blacksmith's 8
trade until he became an inebriate
and had to be confined. At the age
Of Il the second son, John, became
the head of the family and assumed
the duty and labored to earn a living
for his mother and the rest of her
children. His first position was that
of a clerk in a drug store, where he
washed bottles and mixed soft drinks.
Later he became time-keeper for q
railroad contractor. His spare mo-
menIS were ueNOlcu W lcttuihS 6ooo
and valuable books and educating
himself the best he could under the
circumstances. At the age Of 21 he
was a man of many friends, fixed pur-
noses and much useful information.
Everybody liked him. Four leading
Democrats Of his little town made him
editor of the Herald, a local paper.
and 1t was there that he began to
show promise of extraordinary ebility.
He was interested in the welfare OF
every one. His neighbors respected
and trusted him. Being a Swede, his
natural inclination was toward the
Republican party; but he was con-
verted to Democracy by the contem-
Cleveland and has been a Democrat
ever since In 1898 he was elected to
the state senate from a strong Re-
publican district. In 1904 he was put
up for governor and won. The plural
ity for Roosevelt In Minnesota that
year was 1000; but Johnson de-
feated Dunn, his opponent, by $500
votes, and the people liked his admin
istration so we'll that they increased
his plurality to $4,000 in 1906.
Governor Johnson has met every
demand made upon him as 1t came;
He has risen to all emergencies and
grasped the problems Of state like a
trained hand. Those who know him
say that he has common sense and Is
fair in dealing with his fellow man.
In matters Of national politics
Johnson is in favor of a revision OF
the tariff" wrote Hard. He is op-
posed to national ownership Of rail-
roads till every eXpedient Of control
and regulation has been tried and
found wanting, and he is In favor or
having state governments manage
their internal affairs so actively ana
so successfully that Federal intrusion
will not be necessary. He looks upon
concentration Of wealth, just as upon
Capitalization Of politics, with concern.
Although he did more than any other
man to give two-cent passenger rate
to his state 1t Is said that Mr.. James
Hill, of the Great Northern, is very
fond Of him. He has convinced friend
and foe, not only Of his personal nom
esty. but Of his fairness and kindliness.
He treats the people Of his state as
neighbors.
Governor Johnson is public
speaker of the first rank. His speeches
delivered here attracted more atten-
ton than those Of any other man nave
done in years. He Is forcefui' mag
netic and eloquent. He drives hard at
a DOlTl anu lllS uo6S 10 S.SNA N-N
concise. AS he speaks one gets closer
to him and understands him. He
speaks from the heart and wins his
hearers to him as friends.
Johnson is but 46 years old; is tall,
thin and wiry, almost gaunt, with light
brown hair, deep blue eyes and strong
face. that bears lines that come from
toll. He may be o. factor in the next
Democratic convention. The people or
the west love and admire him. Repub-
licans who voted for Roosevelt would
vote for him against any man that VIII
he nut out. His plain. simple, direct
way of doing things makes him man
of great popularity with all classes.
He is one Of the people and loves his
neighbors, whether they be Of high or
low degree. His name is before the
public and he may give Mr. Bryan
a race for the nomination.