East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-09-19

Cleveland, o., Sept. 19.-Tom l..
Johnson received his fourth nomina-
tion for mayor of Cleveland at the
democratic city convention today. and
from now until the November cleo
tion there will be waged the most ex-
citing campaign in the political his
tory of this city, not excepting the
contests of several years ago. in
which the late Senator Hanna was the
central figure. The republicans have
picked upon Congressman Theodore
e. Burton to make the race against
Mayor johnson and their selection is
admittedly the strongest one that
could have been made.
The Endorsement of Mr.. Burton's
candidacy by President Roosevelt and
Secretary Taft. IL is said, may be fol-
lowed by speeches here by both later
on In the campaign. II this rumor
proves correct 1t is probable that Will
liam J. Bryan and other prominent
democratic leaders will be herd here
in behalf of Mayor Johnson. In any
event the campaign is bound to at
tract the attention of the entire coun-
try. A victory for Mr. Burton would
naturally add to his reputation and
would probably prove a stepping
stone to the United States senate.
Cleveland is Republican.
Cleveland Is regarded as a nor
mally republican city by from 1000
| to 10000 majority in national cleo
tions, and up to the advent of Mayor
cans had ruled the city and county
for years with the exception of iso-
lated cases.
In selecting Mr.. Button to oppose
Mayor johnson the democratic lead
ers admit that the republicans have
put forward their strongest man, and
while they claim johnson will win
they concede that the race will be
close.
It was Burton who defeated John
son after the latter had served two
terms in congress, having been pre-
viously elected as a democrat in q
district Thich was largely republi.
ton has continued to represent the
district in congress, and has been re-
turned biennially without opposition
in his own party and either unoppos
ed by the democrats or with only per-
functory opposition.
But Tom L. Johnson, as has Otter
been said, is as lucky in politics as II
money making, and he has risen from
poverty to the millionaire class. HI
possesses in superlative degree tina
picturesque quality which brings hin
out a winner in a political fight whei
apparently large section of the peo
pie is opposed to him and the publ
press dead set against him. 1t Is tn
same undefinable quality that wol
repeated successes for the late Carte
Harrison. many times mayor of Chi
cago, and Hazen F. Pingree, mayo
of Detroit.
JohnsOn's Record.
Mr.. Johnson was first elected may
I or of Cleveland in 1901. His plat
form in that contest was brie
Equitable taxation, Scent fares o
the street railways, and personal al
tention to the office he made fea
lures While declaring that the sir
gle tax and municipal ownershi
would remedy alleged existing evil
Mr.. johnson did not make them a
prominent issues in his campaign q
Yas expected, At the outset he a,
serted he would spend no money, an
make no pledges to procure his elec
ton. AS even his political enemie
admit, these pledges were religiousl
kept.
But 1t is generally admitted tht
Mayor Johnson now has the fight
his life on his hands. Mr.. Burton
a native Buckeye and his record bot
personally and politically is clean. +
is an expert on finance, and in Il
last congress was at the head of Il
house committee on rivers and ha
u bors. He is a strong supporter.
Taft for the presidential nominatio
and before 1t became known that !
as would run for the mayoralty It w
or announced that he was favored
re the administration people for Il
~ speakership of the next congress,