Crittenden record=press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1907-1909, 1908-06-25
life. but the M. u.
and neighbors ny all hls t-.

career-the point from ~tAs>' ohnson'sl
TO be a public man-came w,,S eegan(
portunity to become editor o. ,S Se op-
lage paper--the st. Peter Herald. nv.
the opportunity was given TO him, a
paper training or preparation wa
proof that early in life he began Il
impress those who knew him as {
man provided with q natural equip
ment which qualified him to undertake
almost any responsibility. The owners
Of the paper picked him out as the
man they wanted for editor. He im-
mediately arose to the opportunity. He
developed great aptitude for the new
work. and with II took on a larger SER
vice In the community.
Sitting around the big stove In the
drug store during the long winter = |
nings, he had imbibed Democratic
trinss from the local politicians who
had congresated there, and. - time
went on, he became fixed in his belief
In Democratic political tenets and q
loyal adhefent Of the party. Johnson
had . natural gift for speaking. and a.
he had now become q man Of note in
his little home community. he had
many opportunities to exercise this
gift. and soon came 70 be recognized
~ Q fluent, easy. adaptable speaker. al
ways certain to say the right thing at
the right time. and always sure to say
something worth hearing. Between
his speaking ability. his ability as an
editor, and his remarkable mixing
qualities, he was scarcely 80 years old
when he was recognized as the lead
ing Democratic editor OF Minnesota
First Political Contest *.
The Governors frst political contest
game In 1894, whsn he was nominated
for the state senate, but although he
made a gallant fight he was not able
to overcome the Republican majority.
In 1895. nominated 70 the state senate
again. he made q lively campaign on
state issues, and this time victory was
with him. He served through two ses-
sions Of the legislature, and his legis.
latve career was chiefly notable for
the leadership Of his party in the sue
cessful contest for a gross earnings
TAI ON the Minnesota railways At 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
and declined the honor. Instead, he
took the nomination for state senate
again. But this time he was defeated
by small majority. In 1904 he was
persuaded, however, TO accept the
Democratic nomination, and. after be-
ing nominated by reclamation. he
plunged into a whirlwind campaign.
He made l03 speeches In "a out Of
the 81 counties Of the state. and these
speeches were remarkable for the fact
that they were positive rather than
negative. He did not attack his op-
ponent or indulge In personalities. but
spoke always Of state affairs and need
ed reforms. This was in a presiden-
tial year. when Roosevelt enthusiasm
was az its height in every Republican
state. But when the votes were count
ed in November IT was found that the
people OF the state at large had learned
to love. honor. admire and respect
John A. Johnson. as had the people Of
his native village. Although President
Roosevelt carried the state by the
hitherto unknown plurality of l61. 0O0
Johnson was elected by about 5000
After an administration OF two,years,
which made good every prediction
promise. Gov Johnson came once
again before the people Of Minnesota
with the slogan, "One good term de-
serves another" making l19 speeches
in AZ days. This time, without any
presidential canvass to distract them
from state issues and personalities.
the governor was reelected by a plu-
rality of 1900. being the largest plu-
rality ever siysA t. a gubernatorial
candidate In Minnesota And it is by
virtue Of that handsome public verdict
of approval that Gov Johnson to-day
sits in his Office in the magnificent
marble capitol at St Paul-perhaps
the finest specimen Of state architec.
ture In America, outside Of Washing
ton--looked up to with genuine love
respoct and confidence by the 1000 600
people ct!Mib 6esota. -,''Ss-@7rsNH<''
a Great Record.
IN The sout years that he has been
John A. Johnson has accom- |
plished great things in Minnesota. He |
and his tax-reforming appointees have I
increased the assessed valuation Of |
the United States Steel corporation 4
from $S2, OOO, 900 TO $3.50. OOO,O 900. and in
lieu of further increase Of taxation, the
steel corporation is now building a
$50 900, 900 plant in Duluth.
Owing TO his energy railway rates
have been reduced. partly voluntarily.
and partly by warehouse commission
regulation and legislative enactment
rom 10 to 80 per cent The two-cent
-ailvay passenger rate was secured in
Minnesota. Largely due to his initia-
i've, the system Of taxation was re-
ormed. and an expert commission OF
!