The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1908-05-16

Sitting around the big stove in the
drug store during the long winter eve.
nings. he had imhlbed Democratic doc.
trines from the local politicians who
had congregated there. and. as time
went on, he became fixed In his belief
In Democratic political tenets and
loyal adheTent 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 to exercise this
gift, and soon came to be recognized
as 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 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
TO overcome the Republican majority
In 1898, nominated to the state senate
again, he made q lively campaign on
state issues. and this time victory was
with him. He served through two SEES
sions of the legislature. and his Legs
lative career was chiefly notable for
the leadership of his party In the sue
cessful contest for gross earnings
tax 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 whirlwind campaign.
He made 1903 speeches In II 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 OPP
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 at its height In every Republican
state. But when the votes were count
ed In November 1t 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 161. 900,
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 1l9 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-
IdHty oA tt,VoVi beih5 the iaf 5est piu,
rality ever given to gubefnatorial
candidate in Minnesota. And ii is by
virtue of that handsome public verdict
of approval that Gov. Johnson today
sits in his Office In the magnificent
marble capitol at st. Paul-perhaps
the finest specimen OF state arehitec.
ture in America. outside of Washing
ton-looked up to with genuine love
respect and confidence by the 2.0)00q
people of Minnesota