The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1907-09-20
CLEVELAND CAMP AIGN
ROOSEVELT and TRACTION INTERESTS FORCES
WAR ON TOM JOHNSON

The Chicago Public thus discusses the the city OF
Cleveland Ohio which has become of national Importance
the interference in purely municipal election OF president
of the United States:
The candidacy Congressman Burton mayor of Cleveland
the Republican ticket and against Mayor Johnson its comment
upon of Republicans like himself and President Roose
elimination national politics from municipal elections
Entered upon confessed the urgent of President Roose
ye obviously for the purpose of introducing national contro
municipal election of city which, completely
than any other country succeeded in dvorcng national
politics Indeed made of this purpose by Re
publican organs of deliberate attempt debach
municipal election with federal influences would be difficult to
imagine The question that Mr. Buons candidacy raises
whether Secretary Taft Senator Foraker shall control Ohio the
Republican national convention next year.
In order Foraker with the prestige of defeating the
unconquerabe Tom L. Johnson and evidently for other
purpose yielded the wishes of Secretary Taft and
consequent of President Roosevelt His assertions that
Cleveland badly governed Mayor Johnson count for nothing
In spite of adverse conditions oson deseredy for Cee
land the reputation of the best governed city in the country In the
Justice of this reputation himself virtually acqueed when
lend the strength Of his candidate against
onsons administration until the egence not of local govern
nen national party politics. called him into action If Mr.
Burton responds Washington become candidate
mayor could anything better be expected of him if he
or? And ambitious be governed from Washington?
Although Burton object running for mayor of Ceve
land plainly promote the of his faction of his party
national politics. therefore the only issue which his candidacy
especially vad the local that would have
been raised by any candidate named by the Republican
chine OF these issues the principal the street
constituted part business of the ring, and there
no evidence any change that respect Whether he will or not
Mr. Burton candidate of the traction ring Though he deny
this vigorously the traction ring supports him. for the ac
ton ring knows Mr. Burton does that ohnons de-
feat no matter by whom would traction ring victory
Whether Mayor Johnson will be defeated is the least important
the campaign If defeated will be by the people OF
Cleveland and it they who will have bear the bur
den of local government by and for the traction To them will
experience which the people of Chicago now I'M
drgong having defeated Dunno and adopted Morgans raud
any empty speculation upon election results in Cleveland but the
means of securing Tonson triumphant election When right things
are done results may themselves 1t would be
folly to disguise that fight Johnson and what he
resnts in good municipal government and hostility putocrac
dominion to be How could it be otherwise? With
president United States the presidents nominal candidate Tor
the presidential succession national Republican machine the Re
publican machine of that Of the city the hunger OF Re
publican workers for spols municipal and federal the personal
prestige and oidbutng privileges Of Mr. Burton as con-
gressnlan traction ring of Cleveland and its ratyng financial
conneons-vth this powerful combination against him. how
Tom l. Johnson escape hard fight? But better defeat in hard
fight for good cause victory easy fight for bad not
worth fighting And Johnson at his best and ne puts ms cause
at its best fight Along with occasional defeats he has won
MANY victories always standing worthy He has
stood for wore than and hard though the fight may be-
his victory is less doubtful In city which has proved itself
capable of completely continuously shaeng party lines m
npa contests it likely that the Roosevelt
Traction combination will Debating for reelection
whom Lincoln Steens describes best mayor of the best
crned city the country
Oklahoma having gone Democratic President Roosevelt may de
clare it undesirable" and withhold his proclamation OF
statehood state full of laps would just suit him. judging from