The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-07-07
DEMOCRATIC POSSIBILITIES.
JOHN ALBERT JOHNSON
Sketches of Those Most Prominently Mentioned for
Nomination at the Denver Convention for the
Presidency and e-Presidency-Written
by Staff Representatives of the
United Press.
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're.ult Is that, although he never
went to school after THAT first en-
plGyment, he possesses style in
whiting and speaking that Is clear.
fo. teful and eloquent.
Now forty-seven years of age. he
often looks back and recalls that he
is distinctly q product of the coun-
try store and that he owes much OF
his success, much of his knowledge
OF human nature and all of his
Democracy to the discussion which
went on, night after night, when the
men of the village we're grouped
aLcut the big stove in the drug
shop.
one OF the things that twice help
Ell him, a Democrat, TO carry a
uonhaIly Republican state over
whClmingly tor the governorshop,
Wa, his early history. lie started
to work at $40 month, and, as
soon as he was getting $l2, he
copla NO longer let his mother
work. From that time on, he sup
ported his mother and the other
children OF the family. Later he
turned down an offer To play with
la professional baseball team at a
tempting salary. Then he was OF
fc ed the editorship OF the St. Peter
l'rrald.
Like THE Gentlemen From In
dia" he built future as he sat In
the little office of the towns paper,
|chroniclling the oomings and goings
the births and deaths OF his fellow
men and women. And he made the
editorial column of his paper a real
power In that and adjoining coun-
ties. Also like 1.-THE Gentleman from
india" he became finished pub
lie speaker and deep thinker on
political subjects.
Thus 1t came about that the peo-
pie turned to him as deserving pol
itical honors.
In 1898 he was elected State Sen
ator and again in 1900. In 1904 he
was elected governor by a plurality
/ OF 5000, while Roosevelt carried the
state by 161 10000. Two years later
he was reelected by $4,000. Among
his achievements as governor are
cited the increased assessed valua
tion of the u. S. Steel Corporation
In Minnesota, from 100000 to
$3.50 200, 900; a reduction OF railway
rates from 10 TO 30 per cent; 2-cent
passenger rate; q free state bureau,
and a reformed system of taxation.
Johnson is not a society light.
Both he and Mrs. johnson long ago
made up their minds that there was
nothing much to be gained by drink
ing afternoon tea in unlimited guam
titles. Although they have met all
the social demands that go with the
gubernatcrial Office, they have stop
ped there. Mrs. johnson Is as. much
Iof a reader and student as the gov
ernor, and, when anything of mom-
ent comes up, 1t Is to his wife that
he TURNS for decisive counsel.
Naturally modest and retiring,
Johnson continually objects TO do
Ing the things his friends want him
to do In oder to bring him into the
llimelight. When they suggest some
thing theatrical nature, something
that looks like pandering for publ
city, johnson Immediately takes to
his heels His political managers
tear their hair, argue with him and
beg, but to no avail.
For instance, the subject OF his
making a speaking tour throughout
the country TO show himself to the
people was brought up. His
friends Thought 1t would be an ex-
cellent plan. But right away the
Johnson modesty stepped n, and the
plan was doomed before 1t had been
half outlined.
I'm elected governor of Minnie
sofa. I'm employed to work for the
people of Minnesota, and here I
stay, The said And all that. argument
and pleading could get out OF him
were two speeches made after the
people OF the state had refused IN
lndorse him for the presidency