Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-11-17
JOHNSON WANTS C0MMONER
TO SHOW HIS HAND
IF IN FOUR YEARS FROM NOW RYAN WILL REL1NQUISH
HOLD ON THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
THE POPULAR GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA WILL ATTEMPT
TO LEAD HIS PARTY TO VIC TORY

st. Paul. Mimi, Nov. 17.-John A.
Johnson, plain Democrat, three times
elected governor of Republican Min
nesota, has some very decided views
on the future of the Democratic par
ty nationally and upon the causes
that resulted in such rOut for the ma
tional ticket in the presidential
campaign in 1908.
Many attempts have been made
since the ballots were counted the
country over a little more than q
week ago, to gain an expression of
opinion from Johnson. 1t has been
pointed out to him that in many
quarters he is looked upon as the
Noses who will be called upon to
lead the party out the wilderness OF
defeat and dependency in which 1t
row finds itself; he is looked upon
as the logical leader of the party in
view of ,Bryan's overwhelming de-
feat and that he owes it to himself
and to the party to speak now. But
nor Johnson has but one answer:
"It is too soon"
ut wuld i'll become me to speak
at this time said Governor John
son today. THE storm has nOt yet
, cleared away. There is murkiness
! in the Democratic sky, the water ag
| itated by the storm is still rolled
| There is feeling of eXultation In
some quarters, of soreness in o hers
| Time is great healer and will hea
those sore spots just as little sun
shine will brighten the sky and cleaI
| the muddy waters.
IF it were not for the fac tha
MY name had been presented to the
| Democratic convention at Denver a
a candidate for the presidency, con
ditions might be considered in {
! different light, but as 1t is, just a
this time, | consider that 1t would
be indicate for me to give any ex
preston of opinion as to the sause
that contributed to the defeat OF tn
Democracy in the country at larg
or what must be done to remed
conditions if the party is to max
| Itself force that will be felt an
seriously considered in campaigns t
/ come.
and If do speak" continued tn
governor. q will speak plain and t
the point. There will be no chanc
Anv 70 nd 10
} While Governor Johnson did no
say SO, from the tone of his CONVEX
sa1ion 1t was easy to see that n
would like to have William Jenning
Bryan declare himself on the tw
points: viz. his excuses for his thir
defeat and his position in the futur
as regards his leadership of the par
tv. If Bryan, in the face OF nj
third defeat is TO attempt to hol
himself in the position of the direct
Ct of the party and lis policies, the
John A. Johnson will attend strict
tc his, own knitting in Minnesota
and from what he says, he will fin
rlenty to engage his attention IN TN
| next two years, and will let tn
| sage OF Fairview" continue his rul
| As Democracy's despot. johnson e'
| er now, and this is without dispal
| aeement to the governor. is playin
| notifies. He takes the stand that
] is I'D to Bryan to take the first lea
, and then Johnson will follow.
II think hundreds Of thousands
democrats, including what might
e called both elements of the party
do not like the word faction-woul
be very glad to hear from Mr.. Prya
, at this time" is the guarded way J
which johnson puts 1t.
Ei9fBfL