The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-04
Where GOV. Johnson stands.


Gov. Johnson, of Minnesota. contributes
to the New York World some views on
national questions that differentiate his
position in the Democratic party very
sharply from that Of Mr.. Bryan So far
as national issues go, Gov. Johnson throws
overheard much Of the Bryan programme.
He brings forward the tariff as a para
mount issue, relegates the trust and rail
Dad questions to the States, and declares
or a careful selection of Presidential and
ice Presidential candidates. His plat
JrIn is of so distinctive a character as TO
lerit some attention in detail
In the first place. Gov. johnson wants
1orough revision of the tariff, one that
n strike at what he conceives to be the
lot Of the trust eviI-the fostering of
monopoly by government. Such a re-
vision as he wants would De in the
general interest, not a patchwork dictated
by the desires of section or faction, and it
must be Of such nature as to appeal to the
intelligent business men Of the country
Then Gov Johnson would look carefully
10 the candidates:
Here the principle Of absolute fitness should
apply. No man should be chosen as candidate for
either the Presidency OF the Vice Presidency be
cause be represents some particular idea OF inter
est, Ct mercsuaFy qualification We should have
no more Henry Gassaway Dagises nominated be
oauss he possessed barrel, which he was expected
70 open, and did not 40 more men frem Maine
merely because d candidate from there was sup
posed 70 possess some local influence. The people
want men who stand for principles Of sound, pro-
gTessiys government. and not for individual fads
men who place the welfare q the nation above
inordinate selfish ambition.
Gov. Johnson is opposed TO further CEN
tralization of power in the Federal gov
eminent He does not believe in Federal
regulation or Federal incorporation of in
dustrial corporations. or in Federal IN
corporation OF railroads. The States
create these corporations, and, in his
sas;Fs.cH. c..@2ld control them. They are
best able 10 protect ana 10 safeguard
the legitimate rights and property of
business and the individual" To place
corporate control in the hands of the
Federal government would be to build
up a vast system of administrative ma
Chlnery that could not reach out to and
not inimical to corporations as such. He
does not believe in legalized destruction
and coniscation of property He would
uphold the right of property as against
the interruptions fnancier and the equal
~ Inscriptions demagogue. Yet he does
not think the people should be taxed by
corporations to pay dividends on fictitious
issues of capital. He would not attack
corporations merely to destroy.
our recent oversee expansion does not
appeal to Gov. Johnson. II we must ex-
pand. says he, let US do it northward.
lie sees no need for a great army and
the biggest navy in the world He hopes
TO live long enough to see the American
flag floating over the whole OF Canada.
not the flag of a oonqueror. but the flag
Of friendship, alliance. concord. and
amalgamation" He feels the unneces-
sary division OF the English-s speaking
peoples on this continent, the senseless
tariff walls. and the artificial barriers OF
trade and commerce. What use would
we have for coIonles?" lie asks. What