The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-30
Nebraskan and Friends
Wage Secret War on
Minnesota Rival.
OWN STATE FOR GOVERNOR
Wculd Make Nebraskan's Nomination
on First Ballot Impossible, and
cause a Landslide.

Minneapolis, MINI. Dec. 3O.-With-
out a single outward sign of war be-
tween Governor johnson Of Minnesota
and William J. Bryan, there IS really
being waged right now in Minnesota
a contest which may decide the out
come Of the democratic national com
yentiOn at Denver next July.
Really. Johnson and Bryan are en-
gagged In a death grapple in Mime
sofa, and the fight is occurring alto
gether under cover. If Bryan wins.
Johnsons name will never be seriously
mentioned in the race for the demo-
cratic nomination. If Johnson wins, he
has made most gigantic stride to-
ward the White House-or, a least
toward the leadership of the demo-
cratic host at the next election. Prac-
ticaTy nothing Of this fight has so far
appeared in public. but within the next
few weeks Minnesota-and the entire
country-will ring with the sounds of
the conflict. Even now Bryan is en-
deavoring to smoke" Johnson out, say
the friends of the latter. but he has
not yet succeeded.
So far Johnson has the best of the
fight. Without appearing to act by
authority Of the governor Johnson's
friends are doing everything possible
to have the democrats in Minnesota
send a delegation to the democratic
national convention which will be in
structed for Johnson.
johnson Is FavOrite Son.
The plea is the old one of the "fav
orite SON" and upon that argument
Johnson is making vapid Roadway even
among the Bryan men. The latter, or
at least that large proportion of the
Bryan men who are not on the in
side" and who do not know the scheme,
can see no danger to Mr.. Bryan in hay
ing Minnesota cast its vote for Gov
ernor Johnson. who in fact, is very
popular with his constituents. Bryan
will have enough votes to nominate
him anyway. and it's pretty compli-
ment to Johnson TO be mentioned as
a candidate" IS one of the apologies
offered
Johnson's plan is to first secure the
Minnesota delegation. Then lie figures
~ securing North Dakota and prob
ably one or two other neighboring
states He knows well enough that
New York. New Jersey. Pennsylvania
Maine. New Hampshire Rhode Island
and probably assachusettts Will never
send Bryan delegations 10 Denver if
there is a possible chance for any
other candidate. so he expects TO have
friendly delegations from these and
several other states as we'll While
these are not enough to nominate
johnson. the democratic rule of two
third vote necessary for nomination
IS counted upon by him to prevent the
nomination Of Bryan on the first few
ballots. and he expects other states
to then fan into the Johnson column
having fulfilled their instructions and
voted for Bryan "as long as there is
a chance for his nomination"
This is where Illinois. Wisconsin, In
diana and some southern states like
Georgia Mississippi, and Tennessee
might decide the battle in favor Of
Johnson. 1t is known to Johnson's
close friends that the present demo-
cratic organizations in the states
named are secretly opposed to Bryan
But they will send alleged Bryan dele
cations to the national convention 50
as to prevent a primary fight, in
which case it is very likely that I'M
compromising Bryan delegations would
be elected When the national con-
vention meets and the balIoting be-
gins. Johnson's friends would not be
surprised to see the delegation from
I,incis cast its nfty-four votes for
the nomination. as word received here
from authentic sources in Illinois says
mat National Committeeman Roger G.
Sullivan is sure to control The state
convention which elects the delegation
II the national convention, and that
Sullivan will never let his delegation
vote for Bryan once If 1t is in his hands.
Bryan scouts. it is said, have been
6eluging she NebrNskan with com
plants OF the secret activities Of his
foes in the states named. At first
these stories We're pooh -hoohed. but
within tbe pass few days some moves
have been made TO indicate that the
Nebraskans friends have become
alarmed. and that they have started
the underground light against Johnson
in his own state with the hope OF pre-
venting his Endorsement by Minnesota
ana the consequent rout Of the Johnson
men.