Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-03-07
BOOM FOR JOHNSON
Candidacy of Badger Governor for
Presidency Formally Launched.
STATE COMMITTEE ENDORSES HIM
Action Taken Despit 4, 'tiOn of
Bryan Ne. d
CHARGE OF ULTERIoR IS
Interests Said to Be Back Of h
Divide Democrats. ~
BRYANTTEs IN THE MINORITY
johnson Resolution is Adopted by
Vote OF 0s to 23-substitute
EndOrsinE Bryan Lost by
Vote of 10 to 90.

ST. PAUL, MINI, March 6.--The demo-
cratic state committee Of Minnesota this
afternoon, after a bitter fight adopted
a resolution indorsing Governor john a.
johnson Of Minnesota for the democratic
presidential nomination and recommending
that he be named by the national convCn-
tion at Denver next July.
As the meeting was presided over by
Frank G. Day, private secretary for the
governor and who voted for the Johnson
resolution on every test and on the final
ballot the action Of the committee this
afternoon is held by political leaders as
placing the governor formally in the race
for the democratic presidential election.
The Johnson resolution was carried by
a vote Of 6S to %, after the Bryan ad-
herents had forced two test votes, on
both Of which they we're defeated. he
Bryan men insisted on a roll cali Oh
every vote and gave notice in their
speeches that they would not be bound
by the action of the state committee but
would make q fight throughout the state
for a delegation from Minnesota to the
national convention instructed to support
Mr. Bryan. Moreover, a meeting Of Bryan
adherehts held at the Ryan hotel immc-
diately after the adjournment of the state
committe formed a Bryan organization,
with which possibly to carry the contest
against johnson into every precinct of
the state
state Convention I'm st. Paul.
The state committee this afternoon. be-
sides adopting the Johnson resolution,
voted that the state convention to elGcs
delegates to the national convention
should be held in ST. Paul on May II. The
matter Of calling convention to nom
fr4N. 60, 20 ..FN N-eA
tee OF five to be appointed by state Chair
man Frank c. Day The meeting of the
CONN ittee today was the most largely
attended in the history of the democratic
party IN Minnesota, word having been
sent TO al members that a resolution in
dor ing Johnson. would probably be Of
Tered. or the i02 members ninety-two
were irstert or were represented by
proxy Severul proxies were thrown out
on a technical point, though on only one
proxy contest was there any indication
OF the Johason-Bryan fight
The state committee was called to order
uA0rtly aiter noon by Chairman Day, who
made brief speech eongratulating the
democrats OF Minnesota on recent victories
In Minnesota ana closing with the state
mont that IN spite Of feuds and jealousics
all democrats would abide by the action of
the party.
After resolution to hold the state con-
vention in ST. Paul had been adopted,
Martin O'Bren of Crookston, who was a
member OF the populst state committee in
1890, offered resolution endorsing Gov
ernor Johnson for the presidency. The res
olutlon follows:
Governor John A. Johnson has twice
brousht victory TO the democracy I'm Min
hhesota; During his incumbency of the Of
ref l4o ~,
instituted and more remedial legislation en-
acted than during any other period OF time
IN the history OF our state. He has been
controlled only by the public interests His
mentality, restless energy and sound iudv-
teepIiv tept unl,ed sS. Sth Mn his unhmReaShsbs IN
best spirit of the west. an ideal American
citizen, Confidently believing that his nom
ination as the candidate of the party for
the presidency would bring to our support
the electoral votes of all the states within
uat,onai vn9 mSistsslppi valley and thus secure
to the democracy OF the nation the name
OF Hon, John A. Johnson as candidate
ommend to the democrats of Minnesota
that they cause hts name to be presented
70 the national convention at Denver for
bryan Men Fight.
The presentation OF the resolution imme-
diately precipitated a contest, and though
It was evident from the start that the res
olution would carry. the Bryan men in
sisted on fighting every inch of the way.
After long and at times acrimonious de-
bate the Bryan men forced a vote on two
resolutions, one TO lay the Johnson resolu-
tion ON the table and one endorsing the
candidacy OF Mr.. Bryan Though they were
Overwhelmingly defeated on both resolu-
tlons the Bryan men made the members
Of the committee go on record by insisting
on roll call, not only on the original
Johnson resolution, but on the two minority
resolutions. The unofficial count, which
slightly differs in each case from various
private tallies. was as follows:
on the motion TO lay the johnson resoIu-
tion on the table: Yeas q: noes, 6S. On
the resolution endorsing Bryan: Yeas, 10;
noes. &C. On the resolution endorsing John
son; Yeas, 6S: noes, 23,
After several speeches had been made
some OF the supporters OF the resolution
said that though they doubted the wisdom
OF It's Introduction II would not be just q
n the governor to vote Il down. and after
John Dewan Of Two Harbors bad said
that IL Bryan lacked few votes OF the
two-thirds necessary to nominate johnson
would gladly throw the Minnesota dele
CATION TO him. the COMMITTEES voted on tn,
motion to lay the Johnson resolution OF
the table This resolution was introduced
Dy Judge n. L. Buck OF Winona, anc
though under parliamentary rules It wa,
not open 10 debate Judge Buck consented
that the fullest discussion be had. The
motion TO lay on the table was defeated
By tho vote given above.
Bryan Resolution Defeated.
Mr.. Yasaly then introduced as a substf
tute a Bryan resolution. which was de
feated as already indicated. The Bryar
resolution after enthusiasticallv eutogizins
Mr. Bryan and hailing him as the mos
worthy successor TO President Roosevelt
whose recent message TO congress was com
mended and enthusiastically endorsing tn,
record OF Governor johnson, said;
We view with suspicion many OF tn,
eastern sources Of acclaim Qor Johnson)
we discern IN this eastern movement tn,
mailed hand OF harmony" that cost tn,
party a million votes In 1904
Resolved, That in this hour OF politica
Continued on second PAgs)