The Washington herald., 1908-05-13

states. and all were eager TO greet him.
But he made time, difficult though it
was, for the newspaper men, remarking
when he saw a company of them gath
cred, waiting for him:
Il was once a newspaper man myself"
And he was. for he began his newspaper
career on the ST. Peter Herald. and, as
might be expected, he became editor OF
the paper
To a representative Of The Washington
Herald he said
This meeting Of the governors of the
States, an idea originating with President
Roosevelt. is a new thing, and until il has
happened, I guess no one can rightly say
what Il VIII lead to. The one thought
that impresses itself upon me is that it
can certainly do no harm, and may do a
whole lot OF good
Il have thought that the Ostensibie Tea-
son for the calling of this meeting of
governors-the internal Improvements Of
the United States. improved waterways,
highways, and so on-is largely a ques-
ton Of engineering, and will, after all.
devClve. 10 a great extent. upon the
Federal government But the mere fact
of the executives Of many States meeting
together in conclaye cannot be but pro-
duCtiVe of enormous good, / remember
two years ago attending a conference in
Chicago on the insurance question There
were the governors Of over a dozen States
present, and there were many of the at
torneys general of other States, and
practically all OF the insurance companies:
and the result Of the gathering was the
adoption OF a uniform insurance law.
which has now been adopted in a great
many Of the States.
There are a number of governmental
questions. sIch as the taxing Of railroads.
the divorce evil. the problem Of raising
and Of distributing public school funds.
in which the practice is different in vari-
Gus States. Il might be much better for
all our citizens II the laws and practices
on these and other questions could Be
made uniform. I don't say that any steps
in these directions viii come out OF this
meeting Of governors. but IL may. at least.
There viii be interchange Of ideas. the
exchange Of thoughts and. on the whole.
thlnk that President RooseveIt's plan
is an excellent one"
AS 10 the political situation. Gov. John
son was not willing 10 talk. He said: Il
have been assured Of the support of my
TeAtC A't Aic iibiiAthaAibn luE ITeSlOent,
and I have heard OF support that has
been promised me from other directions
To what it will amount at convention
time / have no means Of knowing. I
have no antagonism with Mr.. Bryan. who
is my very good friend. and who came
into Washington on the same train with
me. If he is nominated by the Democratic
convention, he is sure Of my hearty and
loyal support. This is said TO be a DEM
ocratic year, and our party is hopeful.
but l have no idea that we are going 10
have a cinch."
Asked if the Democratic hopes were
based on the nomination of any particu-
lar man on the Republican ticket, Gov.
Johnson said:
Il had rather not discuss individual can
didates Of the opposite party just at this
time-not by names / may go so far as
TO say that if the Republicans nominate
one man who is much in mind at pres
ent, he should be much easier 10 beat
than another man whose nomination
owing to peculiar circumstances-Seem
just now, out Of the question. That is
as far as | should care to go. just now.
But Z may add that while am not
actively seeking the nomination for the
Presidency. if I should get it, I am going
into the fight with all my heart and soul.