The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-22
Western Governor Delights
Great Audience and Wins
Volumes of Applause.
LITTLE REFERENCE TO
NATIONAL POLITICS
Discusses Matters Relating to
Cotton Industry, Entertaining
Crowd With Humorous Ref
erences Now and Then to
Matters Of More Gen
eral Interest.
vv1TH only passing reference

n" y IIH only passing reference
Nv to national politics-and
wv that a jocuar fling at hi4
Wv possible candidacy for th<
Democratic nomination
Governor John A. Johnson. of Mime.
sofa. delivered an address before tha
American Cotton Manufacturers AS.
night. captivating and delighting
crowd OF 5000 people. 1t was mas.
terly effort, free from studied attempt
to win applause by exciting the pas.
sion of his hearers. The applause ha
received was spontaneous; 1t broks
forth In great volume at times, and es
he was forced to halt in the delivery
he surveyed the audience with sniilA
of pleasure and satisfaction.
Set New Pace for Speakers.
I Although there was no occasion for
his most ardent political admirers to
apologize for the speech, 1t was brief
Just forty minutes of good American
talk. Apparently believing that he
would speak simply to the spinners.
as part of the evenings program.
the distinguished guest of honor dealt
with practical problems and themes.
never deyiating from his general text
In order to hear the handclapping OF
those who watched him. Following his
manuscript, which he had not COM
mttted to memory, he read 1t so clear
ly and with such force and distinct
ness and eloquence that persons be-
yond his sight could not have detect
ed the difference. In that one mat
ter at least he cut out new pact
for the manuscript orators OF the day.
There was violent shuffling OF feet
and a sudden shifting of eyes aud
necks when Governor Johnson. thanked
| by the Governor and Lieutenant-G Gov.
ernor Of Virginia and the president oil
the cotton association. walked rapidly
to the front OF the stage. He came
in unexpectedly, but instantly there
was demonstration that was warm
cordial and genuine. For moment
he looked out and seemed to have been
seized with an attack of stage fright
but 1t was fleeing, and for the next
few minutes he was bowing and smil-e
ing. With the first break in the ap.
plause, and when It appeared that
President Rennie could formally open
the proceedings, the crowd rose to ,ts
feet with a fresh demonstration that
was not lacking in spirit or fervor. It
was notable tribute to one little
known heretofore in this part of tho
world. Il
Charmed With the Man.
While ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ellyson,
In the absence of Senator Daniel, who
was detained in Washington by the
stress of official duties, was briefly
introducing the speaker. the audience
was silent. but watchful. Those
closest in saw smooth-shaven man.
with high cheek bones and the long,
strong jaw that stood out with ag.
gressive prominence. They saw nose
that was big and slightly twisted to
the right. small eyes that often
squinted, but cold blue gray that never
lodged. Somewhat frail in stature, ha
Is six feet tall, with another inch
available If he held himself more
erect. He Is big-boned and angular,
but withal the most pleasant feature
about him is his fine and attractive
face. IN ~
Expressing his embarrassment In
being called upon to address textile
experts upon subject about which he
was ignorant. Governor Johnson
brought the first real laughter by say
ing that he had heard Of the boil
"eevtl, but had never seen the old
thing. He had to smile himself when
he added that Il knew cotton was
king, but as I have never been pre-
sented to court, did not know how
to act in the presence of his majesty,
Jokes About His Candidacy.
f If the Governor had any niseiyinc.
as to how he would be received. it got
quickly out of his mind. "At first
could not understand why 1 had been
invited here to address these manu-
facturers," he'went on, 'and I came
at once to the conclusion that could
not tell them anything that was worth S
While. "a 5
That was not the reason they want
ed me to come. thought that prob
4 n n Han ,nI ahaa SJe.a4l |,
in the public eye politically / was
brought down here to satisfy the curi-
5osity OF the people in this Southeast
ern region, Since the returns have
been coming in from Alabama and oth-
er States, | am not so sure that there
lis any curiosity to be satisfied, or
probably it was satisfied before ar
rived"
There was another reference to hts
possible candidacy while the Governor
was calling the names of the great
men Of the old Virginia. "But Mime
sofa" he added, as he lifted his glasses
and left his text. has no desire to
wrest from Virginia her honors OF ma
ternity SO far as Presidents are con-
cerned."
Amusing Side Shots.
The Governor evidently realized that
he was acting in a dual capacty--ad-
dressing the spinners and larger ele.
ment somewhat ignorant itself In spin.
ming and fabrics. Accordingly, he Often
Jumped away from his paper, I'VE \
heat the English by 100000 bales i
he was reading. then adding quickly
.and that was not the only victory we N
have had over them. But the Incident
which stirred the risibilities OF his f
audience most came a. O. moment When
he was forced 20 halt and wipe hit
glasses, stopping suddenly on asen- 8
tence ending 'in the West. And the 4