New-York tribune., 1907-06-04
BOOM FOR GOV. JOHNSON
He Nay Be Minnesota's Candidate
for Democratic Nomination.
rFrom The Trlhune bureau !

Washington June 3.-"John A. Johnson for
President of the United States Is the slogan Of
Minnesota Democrats according to the latest
advices from the state and it is added that
Minnesotans really believe that they have an
excellent chance to head off the Bryan boom
and nominate their popular Scandinavian Gov
ernor when the party holds its convention next
summer Governor Johnson is the greatest vote
getter in the party, they maintain, and they
present evidence in support of their assertion
For instance, they point to the fact that in
1904. when Roosevelt carried Minnesota by a
plurality of 161464 votes. Governor johnson,
who headed the Democratic ticket. was elected
by plurality of 1862 \ man who could carry
his own state by 16S000 more votes than the
national ticket OF his party received is Presi-
Dental timber, they aver In 1906 when there
was no national ticket IN the field, Governor
Johnson carried his state by 7231S votes and
there is little doubt that he will go into the
Democratic National Convention with the solid
delegation of his state.
Governor Johnson according TO his admirers.
Is a sound money advocate. is against gov
ernment ownership of railroads, believes in fed
eral control of railroads. but in state control
of intrastate affairs. He has a clean record.
and would make safe and sane" candidate,
they say. Some Republicans describe him as
a Roosevelt Republican" But. above all, the
Democrats Of his state maintain that Governor
Johnson would poll every Scandinavian vote in
the country. They say that in Wisconsin. the
two Dakotas, Montana. illinois, Indiana and
probably New York the Scandinavian vote is
large enough 10 constitute the balance of power
in a close election. and it is on this element of
strength that the Minnesotans count to obtain
the nomination of their "favorte SON.
The solid South" according to their figures
NVOuld hut
total they include Delaware. Maryland, Ken
tucky and Missouri. despite tho fact that il is
cmphaucaly maintained that Secretary Taft
could easily carry the last named state. To this
TWO Dakotas, Wisconsin,, Illinois and Indiana
making grand total of 227 just l. votes less
than majority Of the electoral college But
they further maintain that the last election in
New York showed that to be a Democratic state
and that, with the solid Scandinavian vote
Governor johnson would have little difficulty
IN carrying the Empire State. OF course some,
even or The Eastern Democrats, may believe that
Governor Johnson would experience extreme dif-
hcu!iy In rounding up the Empire State or even
In culling those essential twelve votes in auv
other locality. but the Minnesota Democrats are
ol Il peCuildIIy SanSulne brand, and they regard
q deHclt of twelve votes as u mere detail. In
anV event. they purpose to make things inter-
estlng IN the next Democratic convention, and
the prospect OF something doing" other than
a cut and dried walkover for William Jennings
Bryan is enCOura GinE
The same authorities who bring news of the
scandinavian Democratic rainbow Chasings as
Sert that Minnesota Republicans viii send n
solid Taft delegation tp the national convention
The Secretary they say. is almost as we'll known
IN minnesota as Is the President. and az favor
AMY ana his attitude on the tariff has struck
SO popular a chord that it would be impossible
Tor any Democrat except Governor Johnson 10
make any sort or running in their state