The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1907-07-31
GOVERNOR JOHNSON
Of Minnesota, Mr.. Waiter
sons Ozark Horse"
FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Brief Biography of the DEM
Ocrat Characterized
as a" Lincoln"

SO many new candidates are being
mentioned for the nomination by the
Democracy forPresdient who are COM
'paratively unknown by the great ma
jority of the voters, that it would
seem appropriate to give brief biog-
raphies of some of the most promi-
nent ones. AsWilliam JenningsBryan
has been twice the candidate of the
Democratic party and has thus been
more in the public eye than almost
any other American, it would be SUI
perfluous to give his biography, for
his public life is an open book to
his countrymen.
Among those most frequently men,
toned besides Mr.. Bryan are Gov.
John A Johnson of Minnesota; Gov.
Hoke Smith of Georgia; Senator John
w. Daniel of Virginia; Charles A.
Culherso3 of Texas; GOV. Folk OF
Missouri; President Woodrow Wilson
of Princeton University; John Sharp
William of Mississippi; Gov Beckham
of Kentucky; former Senator Carmack
of Tennessee, and Judson Harmon of
Ohio.
Gov. Johnson will be here consider
ed, inasmuch as he is generally con-
ceded to be Editor Henry Watterson's
clark horse" for the Democratic NOM
nation for President and Mr.. Wat
terson does not deny it. Mr.. Johnson
was born at st. Peter, Minnesota, July
2S, 1861, of Swedish parents. His
father was a blacksmith who died
leaving his family unprovided for. In
1873, therefore, John was Obliged to
quit school and work for the support
of the family. He was employed in a
printing office at $40 a month, and
gave all his earnings to his mother.
Afterwards he became a clerk in a
drug store, and, in 1877, he was get
ting SIS a month though but six
teen years old
DE Joined the National Guard, in
which he served seven years, reach
ing the rank of captain. Returning
to the printing business he became a
member of the firm of Essler and
Johnson, publishers of the st. Peter
Herald, of which he was until recent
ly the editor. He has always been
a Democrat, and was elected, as such,
to the State Senate in which he serv-
ed one term before he wasnominated
for governor by his party, in 1904
AS a candidate for governor in that
year he received majority of 1852,
in a total vote of 297, 592, although
Roosevelt carried the State by ma
jority of $4,000. AS the first Demo-
cratic governor of Minnesota since the
war he gave the State wise, decent,
economical administration. He oppos-
ed extravaganza and every kind of
fraud and successfully planned and
advocated legislation taxing mort
cages, and the Steel Trust iron ore
monopoly, sleeping car companies,
etc. He also procured the establish
ment of a permanent tax commission
to adjust the burden ofState taxes up
to abuse the burden of state taxes up
on the different counties. He obtain
ed a reduction of freight rates In
Minnesota; also a two-cent passen-
ger fare, and the abolition of the cor
rupt free pass system; and secured
the passage of statutes regulating the
management of life insurance, which
have proved entirely efficient.
In consequence of these reforms, he
was renominated for governor by the
Democrats in 1906, and carried the
State by a majority of 1882 votes,
strbwing greatly increased popularity.
Gov. Johnson's position on the i'm
portant Issues of the day can be best
told In his own words. For instance,
he has recently said: 'T believe the
States must be- absolute in their au-
thority to regulate and control rail-
way rates on business wholly within
tie States. / believe that the Govern
ment should do no business which
can be done as well. or better, by
private individuals. The time has
not arrived when there should be even
a suggestion of Government owner
ship of railroads"