Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-01-09
Thursday, January 9, 1908.

his supporters have been making
much ado about his attitude toward
the railroads and other corpora
tions of the state. Crawford
seems to have occupied very
unique position, while he has been
going up and down the state with
his bombastic utterances OF the
awfulness OF the railroad corpora
tions, and the pernicious activity OF
Alex johnson and the Northwestern
railway in politics it now looks Us
though he had been secretely serv-
ing that corporation all along. OF
course, Crawford may be able to
explain" away appearances. He
has always been long on explana
tions but the people are looking for
explanations. Immediately after
Crawford's defeat for congress he
was chosen to represent the Chicago
and Northwestern Railway company
as its general attorney for South
Dakota. He was professional
lobbyist who was entrusted the
working of the legislatures, con.
ventions, county commissioners and
state board of equalization and
assessment. In his position he evi-
IDENTIFY gave good satisfaction for he
continued in that position until
he publically announced his resigna-
ton TO become reform candidate
for governor. BY referring to
published statement in the Huron
Huronite, published in another col
umn of this paper, it looks as though
this same terrible Alex johnson had
a great deal to do with Crawford's
running for governor, for his lieu.
tenants, Shober and Smith, said in
response to this question from Mr..
Johnson: lis Mr.. Crawford going
to be candidate for governor ?"
This answer being by Shober: THAT
depends entirely on whether or not
you will support him or not" Coe
/. Crawford became the successful
candidate for governor. 1t is not of
record whether johnson supported
Crawford or not. 1t is Q matter of
record that Huron and Beadle county
which are the headquarters for all of
the divisions of the Northwestern
Railway company in South Dakota
and where the majority of all the
employees OF that vast system in
South Dakota make their home, and
where, if any place, Mr.. Johnson
and the Northwestern Railway COM
pany would have been able to have
exerted some influence against his
aspirations were almost solidly for
Crawford in spite of his loud pro-
claiming against corporate influence
in politics. Many wondered at this.
Many could not understand why
railroad town" should be so greatly
in favor of such a self announced
"reformer." The railroad company
did not seem to do any worrying.
The employees of the Northwestern
openly supported Crawford and
there is no record OF lost jobs or
reductions to ranks. johnson, who
was known to be such an aggressive
political fighter who passed up no
means to secure his political ends,
did nothing to hurt Crawford. This
seemed passing strange to Johnson's
acquaintances who expected to see
him out in the field III bitter oppo-
sition to this reformer who was
going to almost destroy railroad
influence in South Dakota. What
was ii Nobody seemed to be wise.
r. w. Stewart was made attorney
for South Dakota for the Northwest
ern company. The major was not
: reiormer. A short time after his
appointment the Standard Oil peo-
pie who are practically the owners
Of the Northwestern decided that
they needed Major Stewart in their
NV department in Chicago. He
~as too able lawyer to let out, but
evidently bis politics did not CON-
mend him for use in South Dakota.
~ hey moved him TO Chicago and
APPOINTED as his successor Mr.. Gard.
~, Of the Black Hills, who il q
s'reformer" and who would be more
closely II touch with the reform
\ administration Of South Dakota.