The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-05-18
JOHNSON AND THE PRESIDENCY

JOHNSON AND THE PRE6fOENCY.
Democrats of Minnesota are just
now taking an unusual part in ma
tional politics. From the Democratic
standpoint Minnesota has never been
of great Importance. No Democratic
committee has ever made a serious at
tempt to carry on national campaign
for this state. Since territorial times
Minnesota has been so certainly Re-
publican that expenditure of energy or
money on the part of Democrats would
be total loss.
Partly because of Governor john
sons success in twice carrying this
organized condition Of the national
Democracy, and partly because of the
undoubted strength of Governor john
son, attention has been directed to-
ward Minnesota as a possible ground
from which a. candidate either for the
first or second place on the next ma
tional ticket might be furnished. Gov
ernor Johnson has been for some time
mentioned as a. possible candidate for
ern leaders have spoken of him as an
available candidate for the presidency.
This in itself is an unusual recogni-
ton and it may be that events will
so frame themselves that the Governor
of Minnesota may become a strong
candidate before the next Democratic
national convention.
In 1896 Horace Boies, who had been
twice elected governor of Iowa on the
Democratic ticket, was formidable
candidate for the Democratic nominal
ton. Iowa was then, and is still, as
hopelessly Republican as Minnesota
The fractional fight in the Republican
party of Iowa over the liquor question
and the personal popularity of Gov
ernor Boies placed him in the gov
ernor's chair. Governor Johnson's
position is much the same. His sue
cessive elections to the governorship Of
this state were due to a fractional
fight in the Republican ranks and to
the governors personal strength and
to the high character of the admins
tration which he has given. The mem
ton of his name in connection with the
Democratic nomination is no more
startling than the candidacy of Cover
nor Boies In fact, in national way,
Governor Johnson has attracted more
attention than Mr.. Boies,
The mere mention of Minnesota's
governor in connection with the presi-
dency will give hope and encourage
ment to the Democrats of this state. It
is easily conceivable that, if Mr.. Bry-
an should not be candidate that
formidable candidate before the next
convention. Under existing conditions
no electoral votes can be counted sure
for the Democratic party, except those
from states Of the South New York
and Indiana, which were formerly con-
sidered so necessary to Democratic
leadership in the Democratic party by
factional Quarrels and lack Of leader
ship. No Democrat has carried either
of the states for any important office
since 1892. New York has elected
state officers on the Democratic ticket.
but there has been no Democratic vic
tory in either state since Clevelands
last election. New Jersey, which was
formerly almost as certainly Demo-
cratic as the Southern states. has not
given Democratic victory since 1892
Connecticut, which formerly followed
the lead of New York in giving Demo-
cratic victories, has followed its lead
in recent years in defeating Demo-
cratic tickets. No section of the coun-
try can appeal to the next national
Democratic convention and give as
surance of Democratic electoral votes.
except the solid South. Except Mr.
Bryan. there is no leader of so much
Importance that he could appeal to a
Democratic convention irrespective of
territory. 1t is easily within the posi-
bilities that the next national Demo-
cratic convention in seeking a. candi-
date upon whom all factions of DEM
ocrats could unite might select the
Democratic governor Of Minnesota. In
view of his past accomplishments and
in view of what the Eastern Democ-
racy has accomplished in recent years
there is much reason for believing that
such a selection would be a happy
one, but until Mr.. Bryan signifies his
intention in reference to the next