Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-07
Enthusiastic Endorsement
Given by State Com
mittee.
WINS OUT OVER BRYAN
Laiter's Friends Give Notice
They VIII Carry Contest
to Voters.

st. Paul, March 7.-Governor John
A. Johnson was presented to the DEM
ocrats of the nation yesterday as Min
nesota's candidate for the presidency.
The democratic state committee
placed the governor in nomination in
strongly worded resolution after
decisive defeat had been administered
to the Bryan following.
Governor Johnson was indorsed by
q vote of 6S to 23. A resolution rec
Cmmending the support of William
Jennings Bryan by the Minnesota del
egation at Denver went down to dis
astrous defeat by vote of &C to 49,
The action of the state committee
is understood TO have been with the
full knowledge and consent of Gov
ernor Johnson, and it is generally ac-
cepted that the executive is a full
fiCdged candidate for the Denver NOM
nation and with many ironclad prom
ises of support from leaders in other
states-enough, in fact, to make him
most formidable starter.
Start Bryan Organization.
Bryan leaders, who fought the John
son Endorsement at every turn of the
road and forced three roll calls. took
the initiative Immediately in an often
sive fight against Johnson. They or
ganized "the Bryan Volunteers of Min
nesota" at a caucus held at the Ryan
hotel, appointed a campaign commit
tee of one member from each congress
sonal district and served notice on
the lieutenants of Governor Johnson
that they would make a fight for
Bryan delegates and against johnson
instructions in every precinct in the
state. The state convention will be
held at st. Paul May IA.
The party leaders see dead ahead a
most bitter fight. The tone of the
Johnson resolution, which was carried,
and of the Bryan resolution, which
was beaten indicates the feeling which
exists between the two elements. The
debate while the questions were pend
ing was acrimonious and frequently bit
ter. The battle for the control of the
% Minnesota delegates is sure to be
one of the spectacular features OF the
1908 campaign.
Formal Entry In Race.
The resolution. which is considered
by the party leaders as the formal
entry of Governor Johnson in the
presidential contest, was introduced by
Martin O'Brien of Crookston, who was
q member of the populist state com
mittee in 1896, and was in the follow
ing language:
Governor John A. Johnson ha.
twice brought victory TO the democ
racy of Minnesota During his incum
bency of the Office of governor more
reforms have been instituted and more
remedial legislation adopted than dur
ing any equal period of time in tn,
history of the state. He has been con
trolled only by the public interests
His mentality, restless energy ant
sound Judgment, united with his un
impeachable integrity, make him tn,
embodiment of the best spirit of tn,
west, an ideal American citizen
Confidently believing that his nom
iLation as the candidate of the part
for the presidency would bring to ou
support the electoral votes of all tn
states within the Mississippi vale
end thus secure national triumph
we respectfully present to the demot
racy of the nation the name of job
A. Johnson as candidate for pres
dent of the United States and recon
mend to the democrats of Minnesot
that they cause his name to be pr
sented to the national convention 6
Denver for nomination"
First Blood for johnson.
The first test vote came on a m
tion to lay the Johnson indorsemel
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