Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-09-23
SEMI-WEEKLY EDITION.
TELEGRAPH NEWS.


campaign, opposing Congressman The
odore +. Burton. who was recently
nominated for mayor by the Republic
ans. The contest between these two
men OF national fame promises to be
among the most exciting ever held in
an American city and will attract the
attention of the entire country. Mr..
Burton's candidacy has been indorsed
by President Roosevelt and Secretary
Taft and it remains to be seen wheth-
er Mayor Johnsons great personal pop
ularity WIN be sufficient to overcome
the opposition of men in high places.
Ii is believed that President Roose-
velt will make speech favoring Bur
tons election during the campaign,
and William Jennings Bryan and other
national leaders of the Democracy
have promised to come to the aid OF
Johnson. Already the greatest en-
thusasm is manifested by the parts
ans on both sides and the struggle
will undoubtedly be more picturesque
than any ever known in Cleveland, not
excepting campaigns in which the late
Sanator Hanna was the central figure.
That Congressman Burton has an
eye on the presidency is the belief
OF many Cleveland politicians. who de-
clare that Roosevelt is bent only on
selecting his successor in office, but
also his successors successor. They
declare that the plan of running Bur
ton for the mayoralty was decided on
at a conference in which the presi-
dent, Secretary Taft and Secretary
Garfield took part and that it was
agreed that II it should be found i'm
possible to nominate Taft at the Re
publican national convention, Mr.. Bur.
ton should be brought forward as the
dark horse" If Burton should sue
ceed in defeating Tom Johnson 1t
would make him more than ever
national character, and put him in line
a. Taft successor, substitute or cabi-
net member.
On the other hand, If Burton should
be defeated the cause of Secretary
Taft would be given a decided set
back in Ohio that would be of great
aid and comfort to the Foraker forces.
Senator Foraker has openly announced
his belief that Johnson is invincible
and that his nomination for the mayor
atty was tactital blunder that will
cost Taft the presidential nomination.
No one can defeat Johnson, declare
the Foraker follows, and Burton's nom
ination means his elimination from
Ohio political affairs and a new line
up of politicians throughout northern
Ohio.
According to Mr.. Burton s political
managers. his success in the mayoral-
ty race is already assured but they
add that it will in no way affect his
probable candidacy for Senator For
aker's seat in the senate. Mr.. Bur
ton win retain his seat in the house
o: representatives and the chairman
ship of the rivers and harbors com
mittee at least until after the mayor
atty election. which will be held in
November. The platform ON which
Johnson's administration for allowing
the public works department to drag
and for increasing the bonded indebt-
edness of the city. The immediate
settlement of the street car question
at no less than seven tickets for 25
cents is demanded. The limit of fran
chise is to be twenty years, with a
REIMBURSEMENT of fares every ten years
The road is to be subject to the right
twenty years. These demands. il is
alleged by the Democrats, were found
necessary as a result of the campaign
for municipal reform waged by Mayor
johnson since his election to office
and which has attracted national at
tention. The Democratic platform
adopted at todays convention reaf
firms the well known program OF
Mayor Johnson and points to the
many betterments instituted since he
has occupied the office of chief exec
utive of Cleveland.
The coming campaign will not be
the first in which Burton and Johnson
have faced each other on the field
o. political battle. It was Burton who
defeated Johnson for congress after
the latter had served two terms in
tne national legislature. having been
previously elected as a Democrat In
district which was largely Republic
an.
Up to the time OF Johnsons appear
ance in the arena Of municipal af
fairs, Cleveland was a normally Re
publican city by from seven to ter
thousand. In national elections tn,
Republican candidate has always re
ceived a majority of the votes cast
and this was true of local elections un