The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-05-08

tAaIt as MS struggle Rad been hc tli
not become embitiered by IL. but took
as large a part as possible 10 the yil.
lage social life. BE- seldom missed
dance. he attended church and be-
longed to the choir lie Joined the
various fraternal lodges. after the
habit n men In small villages lie
was known to everybody iu The village.
and everybody was his friend. He
was Interested In life. n6t only his own
iiie but The life led By an his friends
aud neighbors
The turning point IN Gov Johnson's
career-the point from which be began
20 be q public man-came with the OPP
portunity 70 become editor Of the vii
lage paper-the 81 Peter Herald That
the opportunity was given 70 him.
man who had been without any news
paper training or preparation was
proof that early in life he began 10
impress those who knew him as
man provided with a natural equip
ment which qualified him TO undertake
almost any responsibility. The owners
OF the paper picked him ont as the
man they wanted for editor He i'm
ruediateIy arose 10 the opportunity. He
Developed great aptitude for the new
work. and with it took on a larger ser
vice in the community.
Sitting around the big stove In the
drug store during the long winter eve
nings. he had imbibed Democratic doc
trines from the local politicians who
had cOngregated there. and. a time
went on. he became fixed in his belief
IA Democratic political tenets and a
loyal adherent OF the party. Johnson
had a natural gift for speaking, and as
he had now become a man OF note In
his little home community. he had
many opportunities 10 exercise thls
gift. and soon came TO be recognized
as fluent. easy. adaptable speaker. al
WAYS certain TO say the right thing al
the right time. and always sure to say
something worth hearing. Between
his speaking ability. his ability as an
editor. aud his remarkable mixing
qualities. he was scarcely 30 years old
when he was recognized as the lead
ing Democratic editor Of Minnesota
First Political Contest.
The governors first political contest
came In 1894. when he was nominated
for the state senate. but although he
made a gallant fight he was not able
10 overcome the Republican majority.
In 1875. nominated 20 the state senate
again. he made a lively campaign on
state issues. and tits time victory was
with him He served through two SEES
sions of the legislature. and his leg s
laiive career was chiefly notable for
the leadership OF his party in the sue
cessfui contest for gross earnings
tax on the Minnesota railways. AZ the
end Of his legislative term. the Demo
cratic leaders Of the state wanted To
nominate him for governor. but John
son considered the situation hopeless
AM declined tho honor Instead, he
took the nomination for state senate
again Bot this time he was defeated
by a small majority. In 1904 he was
persuaded. however. 10 accept the
Democratic nomination. and. after be.
ing nominated by reclamation. he
plunged into whirlwind campaign
re made 1903 speeches in "A out OF
the 50 counties Of the state. and these
speeches we're remarkable for the fact
that they were positive rather than
negative lie did not attack his op
ponent or indulge in personalities. but
- set
ed reforms This was il a presiden
tial year. when Roosevelt. enthusiasm
was az its height in every Republican
state. But when the votes wer" count
/ I'd in November il was Il nd that the
| people of the state at large had learned
I 10 love. honor. admire and respect
\ John A. Johnson. as had he people o.
his native village. Although President
I Roosevelt carried the state by th'
hitherto unknown plurality Of lsl 600
Johnson WIS elected by about 5000.
After an administration Of two years
promise. Gov Johnson came oEc'
again before the people Of Minnesota
with the slogan. One good term de
serves another" making l19 speeches
in AZ DAYS This time. without an
presidential canvass 70 distract tn
from state issues and personalities
the governor was reelected by a plu
rall,y of II 600. being the largest plu
rality ever given 20 a Cubernatoria
candidate in Minnesota. And It is b.
virtue Of that handsome public verde
OF approval that Gov. Johnson to-da
sits in his Office in the magnificen
marble capitol at St. Paul-peTha9
the finest specimen Of state architeC
nrs in America. outside Of Washing
ton-looked up TO with genuine love
respect and confidence by the 100000
peopIe OF Minnesota
a Great Record.
In the four years that he has bee
governor. John A. Johnson has accom-
nlished great things in Minnesota. II
ana his taN-reforming appointees hav
Increased the assessed valuation {
the United states steel corporatio
from SO GOO. 900 70 $4,000. 600. and /
lieu OF further increase Of taxation. N
steel corporation Is now building