The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-22
Governor Johnson Lays Tribute on King Cotons White Throne
CORDIAL, BUT TOO BUSY
TO DISCUSS POLITICS.
Governor johnson Kept Steadily on Go During Brief Stay
in CityWashington Monument Finest Work Of
Its Kind He Has Ever Seen.

LIS NlnQ lie ID
Arriving here over the Chesapeake
ard Ohio Railway from the West at
l3:45 P. NJ. and escorted to the Jefferson
by committee. of which Colonel
Charles e. Wlngo was chairman, Gov
ernor johnson entered the lobby about
4:30 O'Clock and personally arranged
for his quarters in manner as easy
and democratic as though he had been an
lunheralded traveller without public dis
tinction,
"You have rooms reserved for me-
| I believe" he observed to the clerk
after registering himself and his prl-
waite secretary.
"Yes. sir" was the reply. and The
Governor took the keys and was about
to leave for the elevator AT this mo-
ment Colonel Joseph Button, State In
surance Commissioner, an original
johnson man, came UP and handed the
Goyerno, a letter. It was from the
commissioners OF his state introducing
lColoncr Button.
| why, colonel. am certainly happy
] to meet YOU" the Governor said, ex-
! tending his hand after reading the
letter. and chatting pleasantly with the
former secretary of the State commit
Itee.
/
This was the beginning of, a brief
informal reception in the lobby. Colonel
! Wfngo presenting q large number of
citizens to the Minnesota Executive.
Governor Swanson entered the hotel
a few moments later, and the two
greeted each other cordially.
] Governor Johnson excused himself
| for a short time and going to his
room prepared for an automobile drive
about the city on which he was ac-
companied by Governor Swanson and
| Colonel Button.
The party used the white steamer
of Mr.. B. a. Blenner the latter having
rendered 1t to Colonel Wingo for Gov
ernor johnson. Mr.. Blenner drove the
/ machine personally both from the sta
ton and for a second brief spin around
town.
WAS Kept Busy.
Governor Johnson's afternoon and
eveuing engagements followed 50
| closely upon one another that he had
but little time at the hotel. Receiving
] representative of The Times-Dis-'
\ patch in a most cordial manner he ask
ed to be excused from talking for pub
| lication, on the ground that he must
| hurry on his drive in order TO get back
| in time to keep an engagement for
| dinner.
Besides there is nothing new that
I know OF which would interest the
public he said MY Views concern
ing political matters have been so
fully set out recently in the press, that
there Is no occasion to repeat them
fnow.
II will say this, however. We stopped
at the capitol on our way up from
the station, and there I looked upon
the magnificent monument in the
square OF Washington. There is Moth
, ing to compare with 1t In any section
!: of the country, where have BEEN ard
feel that to have looked upon that
splendid work of art will fully COM
pensate me for my long journey to
Richmond.
Il II am greatly pleased with what I
have seen of the city. and am very
glad of this opportunity to be among
her people"
4 Easy OF Approach.
batch of mail and kilograms,
which awaited him here, was handed
to the Governor, and scanning them
Il hurriedly and turning them over to
. his secretary, he left with Governor
Swanson and Colonel Button
There is nothing cold or distant in
the make-up of the distinguished Min
nesota man. and he impresses one i'm
tAicuidlctS 5upoh alleellHS ulIi WITH MS
: plain. cordial, democratic manner. Not
!, the barest tinge of ostentation In his
- appearance or actions. and no dis
!. played no indication that he was con-
scious of his prominent position in
). the public eye. He wore plain. bust
ness suit of dark green cloth. tan Shoes
and a black derby hat. and was as
easy of approach as though he had
!, been knight of the grip among Il
party Of prospective customers.
Governor. we feel highly honored to
have you with u.s." declared a member
OF the cotton manufacturers conven-
ton, who shook the visiting executive
by both hands without any introduce
ton, "and want to tell you that you
are strong in the South"
4 Il am very glad to be here, and I
), greatly appreciate Your kind words
!, was the ready response.
4 Dinner ut Hotel.
!, Accompanying Colonel Wingo to the
II station to meet Governor johnson We're
Il Mr.. a. r.. Holiday and President Elect
4 T.. II. Rennie, of the Cotton Manufactur-
Il ers Association. They drove through
the Capital Square and stopped for a
!. few moments at the Westmoreland,
, where the Governor expressed great
i admiration for the portraits of dis
! tinguished men that hang upon tho
walls Of the club.
! After the party returned from the
& second drive. Governor johnson met 4
large number OF the cotton men, most
of them having been at Lakeside when
he first arrived.
At $3.50 o'clock an informal dinner
was served at the Jefferson, the fol-
lowing being present:
Governor Johnson, Governor Swan
son, Mayor Mccarthy, Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Ellyson. Colonel Joseph Button,
Messrs. I. II. Rennie, OF Alabama; S. B.
Tanner, of North Caroltna.C. B. Bryant
North Carolina; Colonel Charles T.
IWingo and Judge John III. Ingram.
Il VIII Leave To-day.
When the party returned to the hotel
after the meeting at the AUDITORIUM, a
l great many people met Governor. john
son In the lobby where another in
Y formal reception was held. Mrs. John
1 son did not accompany the Governor
on his Southern trip. He and his sec
rotary, Mr. III. w. Grimmer, will leave
: this morning by boat for Old Point,
where they will remain until Sunday,
lThe Governor will 60 from Old Point