Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-20
Congressman Burton, Republi-
can Candidate for Mayor Is
Considered Presidential Pos
SibiIity Four Years Hence.
FORAKER CONSIDERS
JOHNSON INvINCIBLE
Roosevelt and Bryan Expected
to Deliver Addresses in Ohio
In Course of Strenuous Cam
paign Just Started,

Cleveland, o., Sept. 19.-At the
democratic city primaries Mayor
Tom Johnson was again selected today
to become the standard bearer of the
party in the coming municipal cam
paign, opposing Congressman Theo-
dore r. Burton. who was recently
nominated for mayor by the republi-
cans.
Returns from the ward primaries
this evening indicate that Mayor john
son will be renominated for mayor by
acclamation Indications also are that
all of the candidates for places on the
council ticket who had the endorses
ment of the mayor including Council
man E. b. Hazerodt, republican. who
was recently defeated by the republi-
can primary and who has been a sup
porter of Mayor Johnson's street
way policy, have Won Spirited fights
were waged in several wards.
The contest between these two men
of national fame promises to be
among the most exciting ever held In
an American city and will attract the
attention of the entire country. Mr..
Burton's candidacy has been endorsed
by President Roosevelt and Secretary
Taft, and 1t remains to be seen
whether Mayor Johnson's great per-
sOnal popularity will be sufficient to
overcome the opposition of men In
high places. 1t is believed that Presi-
dent Roosevelt will make speech fa-
voring Burton's election during the
campaign, and William Jennings
Bryan and other national leaders of
the democracy have promised to come
to the aid of Johnson. Already the
greatest enthusiasm is manifested by
the partisans Of both sides, and the
struggle will undoubtedly be mora
picturesque than any ever known In
Cleveland, not excepting campaigns In
which the late Senator Hanna was
the central figure.
That Congressman Burton has an
eye on the presidency is the belief of
many Cleveland politicians who de-
clare that Roosevelt is bent not only
on selecting his successor In office. bur
also his successors successor. They
declare that the plan of running Bur-
ton for the mayOralty was decided on
OF conference in which the presi-
dent. Secretary Taft and Secretary
Garfield took part. and that it was
agreed that If 1t should be found inn
possible to nominate Taft at the res
publican national convention, Mr.. Bur-
ton should be brought forward as the
dark horse" If Burton should sue
ceed in defeating To mJohnson it
would make him more than ever Il
national character. and put him i'm me
as Taft successor substitute or cab
met member.
On the other hand, If Burton sholld
be defeated, the cause of Secret iry
Taft would be given a decided setbac ,
In Ohio that would be of great aid
and comfort to the Foraker forces.
Senator Foraker has openly announced
his belief that Johnson Is invincible
and that Burtons nomination for the
mavoralty was tactical blunder that
will cost Taft the presidential nomi-
nation. No one can defeat Johnson,
declare the Foraker followers and
Burton's nomination means his eIimI-
nation from Ohio political affairs and
new line-up Of politicians through
out northern Ohio.
According to Mr. Burton's political
managers his success In the mayoralty
race is already assured. but they add
that II will in no way affect his proba-
Bile candidacy for Senator Forakers 3
seat in the senate. Mr.. Burton will
retain his seat IN the house of repre-
sentatives and the chairmanship of
the rivers and harbors committee at
i1uSN uittti dAttf the IUdNOfditN eleCs
tion, which will be held in Novem ber.
The platform on which Burton was
nominated attacks Mayor Johnson's
administration for allowing the pub
lie works department to drag and for
increasing the bonded Indebtedness OF
the city. The immediate settlement ~
the street car question at no less than
seven tickets for twenty-five cents is
demanded. The limit of franchise IL
to be twenty years, with a readjust-
ment of fares every ten years. The
road Is TO be subject to the right of
the city to purchase at the end OF
twenty years. These demands, II Is al
legged by the democrats. were found
necessary as result of the campaign,
for municipal reform waged by
Mayor Johnson since his election TO
office and which has attracted ma
tionai attention. The democratic
platform which was adopted at to-
days convention reaffrms the well
known program Of Mayor johnson
and points to the many betterments
instituted since he has occupied the
office Of chief executive OF Cleveland.
The coming campaign will not be
the first in which Burton and Johnson
have faced each other on the field of
political battle. II was Burton who
defeated johnson for congress after
the latter had served two terms In the
national legislature, having been pre-
viously elected as a democrat In a dis
trlet which was largely republican.
Up 10 the time of J0hna0n's appear
anee In the arena of municipal af-
fairs. Cleveland was a normally re-
publican city by from seven to ten
thousand. In national elections the
republican candidate has always re-
eeived q majority Of the votes cast,
and this was true Of local elections
until six years ago. when Mayor
johnson made his advent. IN the last