Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1907-07-30
GOV. JOHNSON OF MINNESOTA.


mentioned for. the nomination hy the
Democracy for President. Who are
comparatively unknown by 'h- gr-a'
majority OF the voters. that IL would
seem appropriate In Civ" hri"f h'"sra'
phies OF the most prominent one. A.
William Jennings BRYAN ha, h''n
twice n. candidate FOR u. Demo.
cratic party. and has thus been NOR"
ia the public eye than almost any
other American. IL would lee super.
fluous 10 give his biography. !Or IL
public life Is an open book To h,s
countryrien.
! Among those most frequently Nl-u.
toned besides Mr. Bryan ar" Cos
John A. Johnson OF Minnesota. Go,
Hoke Smith OF Georgia. senator John
w. Daniel OF Virginia. Senator Charles
A. Culberson OF Texas. Gov. Folk Of
Missouri President Woodrow of
Princeton University. John Sharp
Williams OF Mississippi. Gov Beck'
ham of Kentucky. former Senator
Carmack OF Tennessee. and Judson
Harmon Of Ohio.
Gov. Johns son will BE- first consider
ed. He was born at St. Peter. Min
nesota. July rs. 1861. OF Swedish par
ents. His father was blacksmith.
who died leaving his family unpro-
vided for. In 1873. therefore. John
was obliged to quit school and work
for the support Of the family. He vas
employed in q printing Office at $40
month. and gave all his earnings to
his mosher. Afterwards he became a
drug clerk In = drug store. and in
1877 he was getting SIS month
though but sixteen years old.
He Joined the National guard. in
which be served seven years. reaching |
the ysnk Of captain. Returning to the
psintiug business he became q mem.
bsr q the arm OF Essler 4 John.
soo. psblishees Of The st. Peter Her.
ad, Of which he vas until recently
the editor. He has always been q
Democrat. and vas elected as such to
the State Senate. In which he served
one tern before he vas nominated for
Governor BY his party. in 1904. As q
candidate for Governor in that year
be received . majority of S.352 In a
total vote OF 2S7. 500. although Roose-
velt carried the State by q majority
pf 16l. 900. A. the FIRST Democratic
Governor OF Minnesota since the war
b. save the State . wise, decent. eco
nomical standardization. He opposed
and every kind Of fraud
and successfully planned and advo-
Gated legislation taxing mortgages,
and the steel trust iron ore monopoly.
ear companies. etc. He also
the establishment OF al
permanent tax commission toI
adjust the burden of State
laxes spou Tho Different coun.
lee. He obtained q reduction OF I
height rates In Minnesota: also a >
rent. passenger fare. and the abolition
'f the tree pass system: and secured
The passage Of statutes regulating the
Of life insurance, which &:
nave proven entirely efficient.
In Consequence Of these reforms.
he wa tenominated for Governor by
.he Dsnocrats in 1906. and carried
10 Sesis by a majority of 1858
Foees. showing greatly increased popu.
aSity.
Gov. Johnson's position on the i'm.
'ortant issues Of the day can be best .
old In his own words. For instance.
,e has recently said: Il believe the
states must be absolute In their au. q
hority to regulate and control rail.
ray rates on business wholly within
he States. believe that the Gov. {
'rnment should do no business which
an be done we'll. or better. by private
The time has not arrived =
Then there should be even a sugges. =
lon OF Government ownership of rail. u
o0ds."
-- i
In declining to enter the race for