Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-02
JOHNSON OF MINNESOTA

TVtE emDryO DOOm or Governor JOnn'
son of Minnesota for the Democratic
a presidential nomination, though II
has been received in many quarters by
the query, "Who is Johnson" is never
theless worthy of serious considera-
tion.
Throughout the northwest they do not
ask. "Who is Johnson" They know
him. Answering the question, however
it may be said-and this argument is
addressed to the practical politicians
that he is the man who carried Min
nesota by more than 5000 votes at an
election when the state went for Roose-
welt by more than 100000. Two years
later, with an admirable administra-
tive record behind him, and no national
election to cloud the local issues, he
was reelected by 1858 plurality in a
state that is normally heavily Repub-
lican.
Governor Johnson is the son of Scan
dinavian parents. In Minnesota, the
Z Dakotas, Iowa, Wisconsin, and even in
Illinois, the Scandinavians hold the
balance of political power, and they are
clannish. Chicago is the second city
of the world in point of Scandinavian
population. Minneapolis is the third
The first is Stockholm. Ordinarily al
six of the states named are reliably
Republican. but with Johnson as the
candidate the result at least would be
in doubt The number of electoral
votes involved is seventy-two. New
York has but thirty-nine, and those
thirty-nine have more than once die
tated a nomination.
Strategically, therefore, Governor
johnson occupies an enviable position.
1t is urged against him that he is lit
tie known in the south and in the
east. That is true, but the south is
loyal to the Democracy, and the east,
the governors friends say, can be cul-
tivated. Johnson is forceful and in
defatigable campaigner. In support of
his gubernatorial candidacy the last
time he made 119 speeches in forty-two
days, in seventy-eight out of the eighty
four counties in Minnesota. And every
speech made him votes.
RQYSICdlly OOllllSOll 10 a Dl5 AA4e'AA'
standing only a trifle less than six feet,
and we'll proportioned. He always has
been a Democrat and was a state sena-
tor before he was elected governor.
He is a tariff reformer and in his ad-
ministration of Minnesota state affairs
has invariably aligned himself with
the people in all just fights against cor
porate aggression. This was notice
able at the time President Roosevelt
got after the railroads, Governor john
son being one of the executives who
gave the president his most hearty CO.
operation, in response to the presi-
dents invitation. Within the past few
days he has been much in the public
eye in connection with strike of min
ers on the Minnesota iron range, which
was ended yesterday.
Governor Johnson's life history is
remarkable. His father became q
drunkard and at the age OF IL the boy
went to work to support his mother
and sisters. He was employed in q
printers office at st. Peter, his first
salary being only $40 a month, all oi
which went toward paying the family
expenses Then he bcame a drug clerk
and at 16 was earning SIS monthly
Still later ne returned to the printing
business and in time became editor OF
the St Peter Herald. He served sever
years in the national guard and rose
to the rank of captain.
Up in the northwest Democratic 10y
atty is divided between Bryan ant
johnson. The Nebraskan is popular
there. He was never more so. Blu
johnson has just arrived. He is {
young man and, if needs must, he car
afford to wait. However, should cir
cumstances arise to make the nomina
ton of the great commoner inexpedi
ent, then Governor Johnson would loon
big as a potential candidate.
There are good points in the darl
horse selected by Col. Henry Waiter
son, many Of them.