The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-10-08
PUTFREDO ON THE JOB
JOHNSON'S YOUNGER BROTHER is
TALKED FOR GOVERNOR.
Frank Day and the Members of the
Kitchen Cabinet" Have Started a
Boom for the New Ulm Boniface;
They Would Have You Believe
That He Is Winner; Others
Mentioned for the Place.

That He Is winner; others
Mentioned for the Place.
Here's the latest from the democratic
stronghold. The Sunday Minneapolis
Journal contained this story:
| That Fred w. johnson, younger
brother of the late governor, is the
man picked by Frank A. Day and
other democratic leaders as the man
upon whom will be placed the burden
of repeating the successes of John A.
Johnson, was rumOr general among
politicians in the twin cities last night
The rumor is absolutely unauthenti-
Gated by any public statement, but the
very daring of the plan caused it to
attract keen interest.
Mr.. Day, in Fairmont, showed no
surprise when asked whether Fred W.
Johnson is being seriously considered
as a successor to John Albert Johnson.
81 cannot talk politics at this time,"
he said.
'Do you consider Fred w. Johnson
as man of exceptional ability?"
Erred johnson is one of the best
campaigners in the state" said Mr..
Day. "He is a brilliant speaker and a
fine gentleman. l think he has no per-
sonal wish to enter politics actively"
Governors Office, Goal.
Not few democrats, despite the
newness of the plant, last night pri
vately expressed the opinion that if
Fred w. Johnson will consent, he will
be launched on a political career by
the leading democrats of Minnesota,
his destination, the governors office in
the state capitol, an office occupied
for five years by John A. johnson.
Ten years younger than Governor
editor of country newspaper at the
age of eighteen, protege Of Governor
Lind, and state librarian during Mr..
Linds administration, favorite of his
older brother-those whom the story
reached last night said the "kitchen
in turning to Fred w. Johnson as the
standard bearer for Minnesota democ-
racy.
Kitchen Cabinet Discussion.
1t was not until last week that the
members of the kitchen cabinet began
the discussion of the POLITICAL situation
in Minnesota. So completely had Gov
ernor Johnson's death blasted their
hopes and demoralized their ranks, that
politics was forgotten for the moment.
Then, when the republican leaders be-
pen the organization of political
group which will stand back of Adolph
o. Eberhart, Frank A. Day and his
counselors began canvass of the stu
alton.
In former Governor John Lind the
democratic leaders saw their only hope.
John Lind had carried the state against
William Henry Eustis, republican.
He had been beaten for reelection by
S. r. Van Sant-but by small ma
jority.
The question was whether Lind
would accept the nomination. 1t was
generally agreed that the former gov
eIHOT, VIII mas lucidliNC Ia" PioSCiSS
in Minneapolis, would decline to re-
enter the political field. Eliminating
Lind, the democratic chiefs scanned
the list of possibilities.
Congressman w. S. Hammond, they
said. But Congressman Hammond is
in congress, the only democrat from
Minnesota. He would hardly abandon
the opportunity for reelection for
try at the elusive gubernatorial chair.
And besides, they said, 'we need Ham
mond in congress"
Make Thorough Canvass.
There were other men, j. S. Armson
of the tax commission, Mayor Lawler
of st. Paul, and Mayor Haynes of
Minneapolis, but none of the demo-
cratic leaders really believe any of
these men could maintain a successful
fight against Governor Eberhart or the
republican nominee, whoever he might
be.
Then there was Frank Day. But here
Mr.. Day demurred. 81 might be able
to get the nomination." he said, "but
it's out of the question, and you know
it." Canvass the situation as they
might, the democratic leaders could
think of no available Moses.
Wherever the talk of Fred w. John
son started, it was spreading fast.
Should Fred w. johnson consent to-
hn Of n,f.,. 1x,