Bismarck daily tribune., 1908-11-06
MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED PRESS
HON. M. N. JOHNSON.

HON. M. N. JOHNSON.
The uncertainties of politics and Of
the primary election in general are
proven in the outcome of the senator
ial choice in the state, which results
in favor of M. N. Johnson and in the
defeat of. Congressman Marshall, at
the second senatorial expression of
the people.
There were four candidates at the
June primaries, the result of which
eliminated from the primary race
two of the candidates, representing
what was termed the .tstalwart''
faction of the party, and leaving the
two insurgent candidates, Messrs
Marshall and Johnson, to make the
race on the day of the general cleo
tion.
Mr. Marshall received the largest
vote of any candidate at the primary
in June, and 1t may be said was the
tsfavorite' in the second primary, so
far as his chances of success seemed
to be indicated. He made care
full personal campaign of the state,
he was supported by the Grand
Forks Herald, the influential organ
of the insurgent cause, and by others
of the leading insurgent; leaders of
the state, and he had well conduct
ed and thorough campaign bureau.
Notwithstanding this, Mr.. johnson
wins the battle, by majority esti-
mated at from 1000 to 5000 votes.
MIR. Marshall conceded the former
figure and the laater Is claimed by
Johnson's supporters. ~
The result of the election brings
Mr.. Johnson again actively and pro-
nlinently into the politics Of the state
from which hes5Was absent n for a
number of years, except as coun-
selor Of a faction of the Republican
party. He was an unsuccessful can
didate for the nomination as COVER
nor two years ago, and announced
himself early as candidate for the
United States senate. ;.> :
Mr.. Johnson has always been a
strong candidate when in the race
for office, and he has always had the
confidence and support Of a consid-
erable share of the Republicans of
the state. He was member Of the
constitutional convention, served sew
eral terms in congress, and in that
position was sound on public ques-
tions, a skilful debator and a mem
ber Of the important committee on
ways and means. His withdrawal
from the congressional race, and his
candidacy before the legislature ten
years ago, when Mr.. Marshall was
also a candidate, and Mr. McCum-
Der was finally chosen, are matters
Of political history in the state. He
had at that time strong support for
the senate and doubtless many OF
those Republicans who believed then
he should have been elected to the
senatorship, rallied to his support in
the recent primaries. !,
His maiorities in number OF the
counties Of the state were very
heavy, overcoming Mr.. MarshaIl's
numerous, but small, majorities. The
result would seem to indicate that
good share of the stalwartS votes in
the state went to Mr.. Johnson, and
helped to bring about his nomina-
tion. E..a 5s5 5E5
The result will be keen disap-
pofntment to the ardent partisans of
Mr.. Marshall. but emphasizes the un-
certainty of results when the Repub-
lican party of the state Is divided
into factions as it is, each faction
suspicious and angry. The people
seem to take some satisfaction in
bringing share Of disappointment
to both factions, and will probably
continue to teach political lessons In
their own way to one faction and
the other until good counsel and
good Judgment resume their place I'm
the deliberations Of the leaders Of
both factions, and nominations are
made by the party acting as a politi-
cal entety and not as an assembiange
3of warning tribes and factions.
The Tribune has at different times
after the June primaries pointed out
the fact that the Johnson vote
more than 1900 gained without
an especially vigorous canvass. with.