The Washington herald., 1907-12-14

For the past week Johnson Presi-
Dental boom has been much in evidence
IN Washington. It is not Tom John.
son boom, but a John Johnson boom.
Until recent days the governor Of Min
nesota was little known at the Capital
He had not been seen at close range. Pub
Tic men had been denied the opportunity
to appraise him. When Col Henry Wat
terson, In the Louisville Courier-Journal
few months ago. hoisted the name OF
Gov. Johnson, it interested Democrats
but did not enthuse them. The press OF
the East dealt with the subject face
uously. OF course, it was known that
Johnson had carried Minnesota, and was
more or less idolized by the people OF
that State, but at long range, he was not
regarded as a man possessing more than
local strength. He might carry Mime
sofa at the head Of the national ticket.
but would the Democrats OF the country
know enough about him to give him their
support at the polls?
Editor Watterson's attempt to create a
Johnson boom failed. But now public men
are quite ready to concede TO Col Wat
terson much astuteness of political judg-
ment and correct analysis of his candi-
date
Has Many Friends Here.
Gov Johnson came here last week to
address the waterways convention. He
proved the most captivating speaker that
appeared before that great body. Then.
on Saturday night, he attended the Grid
iron dinner and captured that discriminate
ing and critical company.
fine looking magnetic unassuming.
but self-confdent man. on each occasion
he said the right things in the most
pleasing and convincing manner, and
those people who were fortunate enough
TO see him and hear him are not through
talking about him yet. He bears in
spection. Mr.. Charles II. Grasty, editor
and publisher of the Baltimore News and
Col w. r. Nelson owner of the Kansas
City StGr-both newspaper men OF great
infiuence-were won over completely by
the Minnesotan at the GridrOn dinner.
and now the Baltimore News has taken
up the Johnson Presidential boom and
Is promoting it with vigOr
Availability Is Discussed.
At the meeting Of the Democratic Ma
tiOnal Committee here on Thursday, the
consensus Of opinion was that William
Jennings Bryan would be nominated for
President again. probably by acclamation.
But this consensus OF opinion, neverthe-
less, did not prevent quiet discussions on
the side OF Gov. Johnson and his availa-
bility
Would he not be able TO carry States
that Bryan could not carry-Minnesota
and the two DakOtas. for example, and
possibly Illinois? Republicans of the
Northwest do not hesitate to say that
Johnson would carry the three States
first named, and, owing to the large
Scandinavian vote in Illinois. his candi-
dacy would make that State very close
He is credited. too with more than aver
age Democratic strength throughout the
Middle West and Northwest
While 1t is generally recognized that 1t
is somewhat late for Johnson boom to
develop, still the MinnesOtan is in the
political limelight-a growing quantity in
national affairs; a man who is likely to
cut big figure yet in politics. and who.
possibly. even in the short time now in
tervening. may prove formidable fac
tor in the Democratic convention to be
held in Denver. July Z. 1908.