The Washington herald., 1908-03-09
JOHNSON AIRS VIEWS
MinnesOtan Thinks ConStitu.
tiOn Is InViOlable.
GIVES OUTLINE OF PLATFORM
Governor Against ship Subsidy; for
Revision of Tariff n Remedy for
Corporation Evils = Believes in
Naval Progress, bat Ip.imates He
Thinks IL Is Being OverdOne.
he Warrington Herald.

snf he Warrington Herald.
*, March S.-The American this
s9rning publishes a St Paul dispatch
fling a four-column interview with Cow
Johnson, in which he gives his views on
national issues.
Among other things. Mr.. Johnson says
that the Capitalization Of power is fraught
with danger. He condemns oyercapital-
lzation. and says that every investor is
entitled to faiR return.
To my mind said the governor. "a
President has no more right TO 20 outside
the Constitution, simply because he wants
10 accomplish even the most benefcent
of purposes. than any other citizen has to
break the law.
THAT is the road that leads TO the
destruction Of republics. World power is
great thing, but Capitalization OF power
is fraught with danger.
The Constitution, as I construe it, is
the contract among eighty millions of
people who constitute this country. Let
it become common for those in high places
to violate it for any reason whatever, and
trust OF law is engendered.
Disregard Breeds Anarchy.
For example. contempt for law is
shown by that which runs down all the
way through our body polite. even to the
wretch who. because Of his hatred Of
authority, tries TO murder a policeman,
as occurred in Chicago, the other day"
But" the governor was asked, in
what way do you consider that Mr. Roose-
welt has committed his worst infraction
OF the Constitution
Gov. johnson would net discuss Mr..
Roosevelt specifically, nor would he enter
into a discussion Of what he would do
in the Presidents chair should the pen
dulum Of politices ever make him MIR.
Roosevelt's successor.
Gov. Johnson's platform briefly is thus
told:
He deems the revision OF the tariff the
most important work for the correction
of the abuses that are plaguing the coun-
try.
Next he places the preservation of
State rights against the incursiOns Of
the Federal power
He Is distinctly an anu-lmperlallSt and
looks coldly on the plans for a great
navy.
He is against the trusts when they
reach point where they annihilate the
business Of individuals. but believes In
corporations whose combinations are
simply for the purpose Of reducing the
cost of production.
Against Ship Subsidy,
He strongly reprobates the idea of ship
subsidy He approves the control Of rail-
roads. and points to his signature of n
2-cent fare bill as illustrative Of his
views in that direction.
With regard to the naval programme
or the United States keeping Up with
the procession he says:
1t may be that the Japanese situation
demands an extension Of our prepara-
tions
In fact. I do not object TO naval prog
ress or our keeping up with the process
sion. but 1 cannot avoid regretting that
our national policy. instead of going after
distant islands. did not move in the di-
rection<of extending the boundaries of the
United States from the Panama Canal TO
the Arctic Ocean-not by conquest, of
course. but by friendship alliance. con-
cord and amalgamation. II Mexico and
Canada were States of our Union, there
would be no necessity OF great fleets.
Even as it is, what country would ven
ture 10 attack us2r