Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-02
GOV. JOHNSON
STATES CASE
SAYS HE rs WILLING TO BECOME
PRESIDENT IF DEMOCRACY
WANTS HIM BADLY.


Johnson yesterday assumed the atti-
tude of Barkis. He said he was willin'
but wasn't going to exert himself to
attain the object desired. But if Miss
Democracy considered him her soul
mate, far from him to break the lady's
heart by cavalier treatment In other
words, this being leap year, the COVER
nor yields to the prerogative of the
fair sex.
In coyly emulating Dickens famed
character, Mr.. Johnson proves him
self a generous and unjealous sutton,
stating that he has no designs upon
Mr.. Bryan or any other rival His
wants in the matter are unselfish. He
won't dodge if it's thrown at him. Or,
to further mix metaphors, he will not
do the Caesar turn. If any crown Is
pushed his way his head will be found
in position to easily get under it.
1t all came about through the de-
sire of Ed A. Stevens, secretary of the
democratic state committee, yearning
to smoke Mr. Johnson out of his tao.
iturnity.
At Mr.. Stevens suggestion, Swan
], Turnblad, publisher of the Swedish
American Post of Minneapolis, few
days ago wrote to Mr.. Johnson ask
ing him to state his position in regard
to the presidential candidacy.
Doesn't Favor Active Candidacy.
| In reply Mr.. Turnblad received yes
terday the following letter from the
Minnesota executive:
"I do not believe any American cit
izen should be an active, open candi
lot inc
dency. Any American would appreci
ate the honor of being selected as the
standard bearer of his party.
"While l recognize that the press
has much to say about me in connec
ton with this high Office, i have hith
erto avoided public or private expires
sion regarding my position. Matters
have progressed so far, however, thai
it seems to me | should at least say
in answer to your Interrogation, tina
if the democratic party of the nation
believed me more available than an!
other man and felt by my nomination
l could contribute any service to thu
party and the nation, should be hap
py to be the recipient of the honor
would thus confer.
81 am not unmindful, either, of tn
high honor paid me by the people o
Minnesota and If the democratic pal
i ty of the state desires to present m
name to the next national convention
am sure would have no objection
"But, even if Minnesota were tn
only state to declare for me at tina
time. should still feel the distinctio
one of the greatest which could com
to me.
Not Out to Defeat Bryan.
81 have done nothing and will
nothing in the way of organization t
bring about this end, and shall not b
a candidate in the sense Of seekin
the nomination.
eff those who have the welfare {
the country -. ne democratic part
at heart should feel l am necessar
this year, certainly shall respond
any call made upon me.
Gin this connection I desire 1t III
derstood that in no sense am to /
candidate for the purpose of defea
ing Mr.. Bryan or any other man
that the only consideration whic
would induce me to allow the use
my name would be the feeling that
might be necessary to the cause.
eff the democratic party should Sc
fit to nominate Mr.. Bryan or any or
else the action would meet with n
approval and the nominee would hay
my unqualified support, as would e
pect his support if conditions we
> reversed.
;, ''That there may be no doubt
= would say in enswer to your questic
y that if nomination came to me
I should not refuse it.
:. John A. Johnson"