Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1908-10-24
JOHNSON OPPOSED TO @. A. R.
Legislative Record and Campaign
Statement Show Him Against
lnterests of Old Soldiers.

posed TO the desires OF the ". "A.
K. and the old soldiers. On the
stump, Gov. Johnson eloquently
asserts he is the friend of the be-
loved old veteran; but both his
past and present actions betty his
words.
As a state senator, Gov john
son was the only member of the
senate to vote against that meri-
ferrous measure which required
saloons to close from 10 a. m. till
8 p. m. on Memorial day where
exercises were held, out of respect
to the Noble Soldier Dead. This
bill was known as House File No.
$40, and came up for final disposi-
tion by the senate April y, 1899.
The official journal of the senate
shows there were thirty-seven
votes cast on roll call for final
passage Of the measure-thirty-
six votes for the bill, and one lone
vote - that of Senator J. A
Johnson of St. Peter against
this meritorious measure.
During the present campaign
few days ago while the gov
ernor was speaking at Litehfeid
he took occasion to take anoth-
er slap at the G. A. R., and in so
doing, voluntarily stated his in
tention to violate and override (if
reelected law on the statute
books which he himself signed
and approved.
The story of this affair is elo-
quently told in the communica-
ton Of an old soldier, who, Justly
resenting the governors declara-
ton, gave voice of the feelings of
himself and friends in the follow
ing eloquent communication sent
to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Gov. Johnson and MIR. Leavett.
To the Pioneer Press: Do we
want a would-be law-brsaker for gov
ernor, or do we not?
Mr.. Johnson made a speech here
In our village few nights ago, in
which he posed as the great I am
He told of what he had accomplished
and OF the laws he had approved and
what good governor he had made.
That was all right. A Republican
legislature would not let him 70
wrong. He is not to blame for that:
let him crow, 50 long as he keeps
within the bounds OF right and justice.
What l object to is what he said
IN regard to our old fellow townsman,
Hon. 8. w. Leavett. a man who has
lived in our town fer thirty-nine
years, who has filed many positions
Of trust and honor, and fearlessly,
faithfully and honestly performed his
duties regardless of consequences; a
raaa whe has the courage of his con
victions and has always done his
duties. without fear or favor Of any
enc, and caring not for the approval
or disapproyal Of any man Or set OF
men 80 long as he thought he was
right; a man who has saved the State
of Minnesota thousands OF dollars
while acting on the beard Of control.
What Mr.. johnson said was: Mr..
Leavett Is the retiring member Of
the board of control. and IL I am
elected governor he will retirs'-ana
this in Mr. Leavett's hexae town and
among his lifs-loaS friends.
ct was IMAM eMeaa. ngentismaniy
and entirely uncallsd FOR, and further
more, the carrying cut Of the iraplaea
threat would: be against the laws OF
the state. ..tsy. :s: ;s.s! = ~:
.. Now we have a law (Chap. 1es,
Page 1851 approved by Mr.. Johnssa
April 10, 1897. entitisa an act regs-
latfng appointments, smpa0ynsnt and
removals In public departments and
upon public works in the State Of
Minnesota which gives preference In
appointments in every public depart
ment in the State OF Minnesota to
honorably discharged soldiers, SAT-
ors and mariners from the army and
navy Of the United States, In the late
Civil war, over other persons OF equal
qualifications, and a refusal to allow
the preference, entities such honor
ably discharged sefdier, saNor o.
mariner to a right Of action for dam
ages and also a remedy for naaadamas
for righting the wrong.
Section says mo person holding .
position by appointment who Ia a.
hoNorably discharged soldiers, sad
or mariner, having served % such In
the Union army or navy during the
late Civil war shah be removed fyoEn
such position except for incompsteaey
or misconduct, Shown after q hearing
upon due notice and upon stated
charges
Now Mr.. Johnson approved this
law and knows it Is on our statute
books, and yet he has made the state
ment in a public speech here in sur
village that IL he is elected governor
that Mr.. Lsavett, an heaorabay dis
charged old soldier, fully competent
to discharge the duties Of a member
of the board OF eoatrol. will retire;
or, In other words, that he, the saAa
Johnson. will disregard the laws Of
the state, which he himself approved,
and cause Mr.. Leavett to retire frosa
that board on which he has done such
faithful service
NOW, YOU PATRIOTIC CITI.
ZHNs AND OLD SOLDIERS WHO
WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN HAV-