Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1908-05-08

not been able TO inspire confidence IN
the masses OF the voters. patriotic
progressive and sincere as that leader
ship has unquestlonably been. The
party is greater than its individual
membership and greater than Its lead
ers. The time has come when II should
name its leader In presidential cam
paign and no longer permit Itself TO oe
defeated by sentimental. though he
roic. devotion TO great name that has
dominated it for dozen years.
II In the ranks Of the party there Is
a man whose principles. whose party
fealty. whose success In political bat
ties. whose actual achievements In
legislation and statesmanshlp-and q
man holding a commanding political
situation-are such that victory under
his leadership Is indicated. Is II not
the duty of reasonable. thoughtful. de-
voted Democrats desiring the success
Of their party to turn TO him?
johnson the Man.
The friends Of Governor John A.
Johnson OF Minnesota. who have
watched his remarkable career In re-
cent years. as well as Impartial OBJ
servers and journalists throughout the
county, believe that he Is the man OF
the hour, the man In every way equip
ped to make successful campaign
and afterward to be chief executive
Of the highest order. Let US briefly re-
view his career.
John A. johnson was born IN 81
Peter. Nicollet county. Mimi. July ~
1861, of Swedish parents His child
hood and youth were passed III great
poverty. At thirteen years OF age he
was compelled to leave the pubic
schools of his native city In order to
support himself and the parental fam
uy. Though his formal education was
thus early cut short, his self education
never stopped A student at all times.
a wide reader and thoughtful one.
Mr.. Johnson. after some years OF OBJ
scure toll us drug and grocery clerk
and railway timekeeper. became at the
age Of twentyfour editor Of the St Pe-
ter Herald. He soon became known
as one Of the ablest OF Minnesota jour
nalists and was recognized as one OF
the leaders Of journalism In state re-
markabe for the number. vigor and In
fuence Of its periodical press. As
country editor he was gradually drawn
into politics and In 1898 was elected
q member Of the senate Of the Mime
sofa legislature. and his first public po-
iitical work was as n member or that
bod. From the first he was Identified
with various reform measures which
have since become law In Minnesota.
Wherever Governor Johnson has
gone be has impressed men as being q
man OF the Lincoln type. He has the
| faculty OF making many friends and
few enemies.
| Governor Jehnson's Legislative Results
The governor recommended per
maneDt tax commission. The leglsla'
ture gave 1t 10 him. and the Ink was
| hardly dry OH the document before he
APPOINTED n commission SO strong In
| its personnel that the I!epubliran sen
ate resolved by Il rising vote to con
| firm the appointments without delay
while the equally Republican house
| though without the power Of contirma-
ton. expressed by n rising vote It's ap-
| probation OF the excellence OF the GOV
] ernor's appointments.
In northern Minnesota are the great
\ est iron ore fields In the world. The
| state Of Minnesota owns extensive
| areas of these lands. BY leases they
| were largely In the hands Of the Unit
| ed States Steel corporation. and the
state was receiving only an insignih-
| cant income from Its royalties. The
| governor advised the withdrawal OF
| all such lands from mineral leases. and
the legislature concurred.
Minnesota has enjoyed but SCENT In
tome from the wealth Of the privately
owned iron mines The governor rec
ommeuded a royalty tax on the output
OF these mines he did not get II. but
the United States Steel corporation
bound Itself as a substitute to establish
s2O.O00,OO0 steel plant at Duluth.
The newly created tax commission.
together with the state board of equal
Ization. which preceded II (the mem
bers Of which were appointed by Gov
ernor Johnsou). have In the four years
Of Governor Johnson's administration
increased the assessed valuation OF the
steel corporations iron ore holdings In
Minnesota from $4,000 900 to $780,
1000.
The sleeping car companies Of Min
nesota had never paid taxes In Mime
sofa in proportion to their earnings.
The governor recommended q changs
In the system Of taxing these compa'
nies. and a satisfactory law was en-
acted. Similarly rational law as to
mortgage taxation was enacted.
i Railway Regulation.
Taking up freight rates. Governor
Johnson in powerful speech 30 ex'
haustively> conclusively barred ex'
isting unequal aud exorbitant rates
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