The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-09
JOHNSON MEN IN BIRMINGHAM Audience of 800 Hears
 Speakers. FoRNEY JOHNSTON PREsDES Addressed by Messrs. Allen, Percy
 and Stromme. campaisn for Minnesots Governor ss Launched Successfully in the Min sr.I District-wsIker Percy
 Is Candid.

birmtngham, May S.-(SpeCtal.) )--- Not in the interest of Governor John- son of Minnesota so much as in the Interest of the Democratic party"
 This was the statement of B. O. Stromme of Minnesota, the last speak CT at the opening meeting in Blrming- ham tonight of the campaign in the interest of the Minnesotan. The meet ing was well attended, not less than 800 persons being in the Jefferson The atre. Twenty to forty women occu- pied the boxes.
 band was on the stage. while sev- eral prominent citizens of the district were also before the people on the stage.
 A. c. Smith, Chairman of the com mittee promoting the candidacy of Governor Johnson, called the meeting to order and introduced Forney John gton, son of United States Senator Jo- seph F. Johnston, to be in charge of the meeting. Mir. Johnston did the in- troducing.
 B. M. Allen was the first speaker. He spoke In the interest of man who might have some chance to win.
 Walker Percy was introduced as one ''who Is not afraid to take q stand and express his convictions"
 Mir. Percy said that this was his maiden effort as a candidate before the people, he being candidate for del- egate to the National Convention. He told of receiving a communication from Mir. Tomlinson and others asking what his (Percy's) preference was to Presi- dential candidates.
 He minced no words in his criticism of William Jennings Bryan and said that he believed that a man had been found in John Johnson of Minnesota who could lead the Democratic party to victory. He said that the stagna- ton and depression in the business world was due to the political leEis- latlon and executive policies which threatened investments in enormous number of the best companies in Amer ica. He said that the great invest ments cannot be struck down without taking away the bread of the working people. No class can prosper through the diversity of another class.
 He touched on the loss of confidence on the part of the people He char acterized Roosevelt ss too much of a ruler for a democracy like this coun- try The country needs rest from tie one man domination. He said tEat
 William Jennings Bryan. with all his brilliancy, was not the man to restore confidence. Bryan was intolerant and dominating, he said. He said he would not deny that Bryan had courage to | express his sentiments. This elicited | cheers and cries of t'hurfan for Bryau.' Ability to make speeches or to gain | a fortune on the lecture platform does not make the kind for the Presi- dency and bring about confidence. There is not the enthusiasm for Bryan there was twelve years ago, said the speaker.
 He said that some people had said kt., Aa hnnOa had too late but he was of the opinion that 1t was better to come late than too often. He said that no one present would live long enough to see Alabama carried by the Republicans. eff I am elected as delegate to Denver" said MT. Percy, "I will vote as I am instructed no matter what my personal preference is.
 He concluded with the statement that if the Democrats expected to win | 1t must be with a new man. MT. Stromme said he was not an orator nor a politician. He said ne could stand before the people, however. w,,h siI frankness and with com mon interest, that of the success Of the Democratic party.
 He said he did not believe that Bryan could win If nominated md he felt sure that Governor Johnson could.
 After relating his profession, the newspaper business, MT. Stromme tolu his audience something of Governor Johnson. He told of his constant ef- fort in behalf of the Democracy and winning great fights in the face of strong opposition and winning Re-
 publican State.
 Mir. Stromme told number or anec- dotes and was witty all through re- ceiving prolonged applause at the con- clusion. -s A,o
 He pleaded with the people of Ala hama to assist in putting man for ward who could win in the great fight for the Presidency Governor Johnson of Minnesota. He was the last speaker tha ayanfOR.