The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-04-06
FIRST GUN FOR
JOHNSON FIRED
Friends and Supporters Tell
Why Minnesota Governor
Should Be Nominated.
ONLY HOPE OF VICTORY.
REPUBLICANS IN THE MIDDLE
WEST ADMIRE THE MAN AND
HE WOULD GAIN MILLIONS OF
VOTES, IT is DECLARED.

Chicago, April 6-Declaring that I'M
der conditions that have prevailed in
the democratic party for the last
twelve years defeat again is certain at
the polls next fall. the friends and sup
porters of Governor ]. A. Johnson of
Minnesota, have fired the first big gun
of their campaign to gain for him the
democratic nomination for president
The Minnesota democratic committee.
which has established headquarters in
this city, made public a letter and pam
phlet. which are being sent broadcast,
urging the selection at Denver, July Z,
of the man from Minnesota as the
standard bearer of the party.
While the name of William Jennings
Bryan is not mentioned in the appeal,
still there are many hidden thrusts at
the great Nebraskan. One of these APP
pears in the very opening of the letter
which says:
For months the party has been drift
ing toward an autocratic convention,
where popular choice is to be subordi-
nate to personal will. Minnesota
democrats. feeling that party duty
transcends individual interest, have
had the courage to break away from
the drift and offer the party a candi-
date. who, if nominated, can carry
more states than any other living dem
OCrat, and who would be practically
certain of election. Rebelling against
the doctrine of despair, we take it for
granted that there is no necessity for
the ravens of defeat to perch on the
banners of democracy in 1908 simply
because they did in 1896, 1900 and
1904
Conditions industrially. financially
and politically, are such that We have
this year the opportunity of genera
ton to win the presidency. Why give
it up supinely acquiescing in any nom
ination which guarantees defeat? If
democratic leaders of the country will
but respond to the invitation and the
opportunity extended to you by the
democrats Of Minnesota. We can escape
from the blighting tradition of defeat
and rehabilitate the party and nation
by a great political victory next No
vember.
1t is argued that tho best of armies
military or political, require some
measure of success to maintain their
spirit and efficiency, and the circular
adds that this can be obtained only
through a change in leadership. Gov.
ernor Johnson is pointed out as the
man of the hour. posse ssing strength
peculiar to him alone and by which
he is certain TO bring TO the democra-
tic party upward OF million votes
in the middle west that have hitherto
been republican. The assertion is
made that he will carry. in addition to
the solid South, the following states
Minnesota. North and South Dakota
Illinois. Wisconsin, Iowa. Kansas. Ne
+ braska, Colorado. Montana, Washing
ton and Michigan.
| Governor Johnson's career is re
viewed briefly. especial emphasis be
ing given TO his advocacy of railway
! regulation and insurance reform.
He is pictured as a staunch friend
of labor. and several paragraphs are
devoted to his efforts TO improve the
condition OF the working man. Gov
ernor Johnson believes in municipal
ownership of public utilities and, fol
lowing his suggestion, a modified
form of the Illinois Mueller law was
adopted by the Minnesota legislature