New-York tribune., 1907-11-14
TOM /. JOHNSON'S BOOM.
RACKED FOR PRESIDENCY.
Friends of CJeUeland Mayor Hope
for Democratic Nomination.

rFron a Special Correspondent OF The Tribune.l
Cleveland. Nov ia fullfedged Democratic
Presidential boom for Mayor Tom L. johnson
ia now under way. In accomplishing his nomi-
nation the Democrats of New York State. ana
especially the Tammany organization and the
Hearst faction--worlling together. strange as ii
NAV seem in view Of their local contest last
week-are expected 10 be potent factors
The starting Of this boom was synonymous
with the decisive reelection OF Mayor Johnson
over Representative Theodore z. Burton.
Hardly had the returns been counted on the
evening of November before congratulatory
dispatches began pouring IN upon the Mayor
and in the majority of these his Presidential
possibilities were pointed ont hopefully. Devel'
opments since then have intensified the hopes OF
the Johnson partisans.
For publication Mayor Johnson has said since
the election last week that his present office is
large enough for him. and that he is not in the
race for the Presidency 1t is highly significant.
though that at the same time he has announced
that at present he is too busy to accept any
dinner Invitations. This declaration referred
specifically TO the coming Bryan banquet in
Washington when the Nebraskan is expected
d least to give broad intimation as 10 MS
personal ambitions IN the race next year
Heretofore Mayor Johnson and Mr.. Bryan
Rave not only been the closest Of personal
friends. but also in confidential political ALL
ance. At present there is positive evidence
If q rupture in these relations due to possible
rivalry next year. At the same time 1t is
pointed out by the Mayors City Hall champions
that Il would be going out Of his way to run the
danger of being put in a position where he
might have 20 express himself regarding an
other nomination for the Nebraskan. Hence
his decision. unless he changes at the eleNen'"
hour. rot TO attend the Washington dinner
Mr. johnson has been importuned repeatedly
by newspapers throughout the country during
The last few days to state his position on the
Presidency He has uniformly refused TO make
a personal statement for publication other thah
his original one that his present position is big
enough for him. This afternoon, however he
left here for New York and ". B. Gongwer' his
private secretary. then gave out this statement
which he said was authorized:
Under no circumstances Will Mayor Johnson
be q candidate for the Presidency. He feels
that his way is along municipal lines rather
than national lines. In the coming campaign he
will support Bryan, as he always has done. He
IS pledged TO the S-ceat fare traction settle
Inent in this city"
The Johnson boomers simply laughed at this
declaration. They say the Mayors loyalty to
Mr.. Bryan cannot be questioned, but add that
the Nebraslan's nomination is practically an
irnpossibility and that Mr.. Johnson, despite his
present attitude, will be forced into the race.
They also see a valuable political asset in his
fealty TO Mr. Bryan, figuring that the latter. il
convinced that his cause is hopeless. will throw
his support to the Mayor.
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM NEW YORK.
The reports received from New York since
the last election are especially encouraging &c
The Johnsonians. The Mayors boomers declarl
that all Democratic factions in the Empire
State are friendly to him Cor President, that his
nomination would weld together the party al
the polls for the first time IN many years and
that there is strong hope Of turning into the
Democratic column next November what is
known TO politicians throughout the country as
the pivotal state of the nation.
In Tammany, according 10 reports received
here Mayor Johnson IS paHicularly strong
TanInany always wants TO he with winner.
Mayor Johnson, his adherents say, proved last
week that he is d winner. Moreover, Tammany,
and especially Charles T. Murphy, has never
been for Bryan. This hostility, 1t IS said here
intensified by the fact that the Nebraskal
has twice led the Democratic party to defeat
IN national elections. In consequence it is ar
sued that with Tamplany his third nomination
ior Presideut is Impossible. strengthening this