The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-09-23

W. UO w
gestions in his 1907 message that are
of value in showing his personal plat
form; the license tax on foreign cor
porations; investigation of the lumber
trust; the employers liability law; a
uniform divorce law; an initiative and
referendum and the registration or
professional lobbyists.
The Iron Range Strike.
In the summer of 1907 Governor
Johnson came into contact with the
-people of Minnesota in a new line,
handling a very difficult situation in a
wise and judicious manne that result
ed in making him a friend OF both
sides. A strike of 10000 foreign
workmen in the iron region was be-
coming threatening. They were a
branch of the Western Federation Of
Miners and at the head was an Italian
socialist from Colorado, Teoflo Petri-
ella. Although the strike leaders in
sisted that they would keep the peace,
local officials and the business men in
the district feared the ignorant aliens
and finally the governor was appealed
to to send troops.
Instead of doing so, he went him
self. He stopped first at Duluth, saw
the officials of the steel company and
got their promise to avoid trouble If
possible. He went ON to Hibbing and
hunted up Petriella, sat down with
him and had quite a talk and gave
him plainly to understand that the
strike must be conducted p~eaceably
or the National Guard would be sent.
He went on to other towns and gave
the same ~admonition to strike leaders,
local authorities and mine superinten-
dents. He made a speech in Eveleth
in which he said that the men had a
right to strike, had a right to organize
and had a right to induce others to
strike, but that any other man who
wanted to work had a right to do SO
without interference, and the state,
if necessary, would back him up.
The governors attitude was so sim
cere to both sides that the strike very
soon ended in a ~peaceable manner
without the interference Of state
troops and he thereby avoided much
of the trouble that has arisen from
industrial disturbances in other states
where the militia has been called out.
Governor Johnson's conduct Of his
Office during his two terms was such
that campaign funds were unnecessary
after the first election and the cam
paign literature consisted OF a post
card carrying his picture and the le-
gend, "One Good Term Deserves An
other"
Campaign Of 1908.
The third campaign was merely a
repetition of the same story, although
his plurality was reduced somewhat.
The republican leaders decided that
Johnson's nationality was the balanc-
ing point that made his reelection in
evitable and decided to put up a
Swede against him, and SO nominated
Jacob Jacobson. Their choice was
undoubtedly wise, as Mr.. Jacobson
poiled a much larger vote than Cole
was able TO get and cut down John
sons plurality to 2S,139, while Taft
carried the state by 86,442 and Eber-
hart for lieutenant-governor, who had
encouraged Johnson to make the first
race for governor, was elected by 55,-
S74 on the republican ticket. Gov
Johnson's third administration was a
repetition of the other two in the wise
attitude he assumed on all questions
that came up, most Of which are re-
cent history.
Presidential Possibilities.
Governor Johnson's first election in
a republican state was not taken seri-
ously by the democratic party at
large, as he was an unknown man and
it was thought that his election vas
merely an accident. When he was
reelected the second term by such an
abnormal majority, it was just at the
time when the national party was
thrown into CONSERVATION by the over.
whelming defeat of A. B.. Parker and
the party leaders were looking for a
new man who could harmonize the
warning interests Of the Bryan. or sill
yer, and the Cleveland, or gold. wings
I of the party.
, In such a crisis the name OF John.
|, son spread through the land and II
J was not long until a good fight was
! started for the presidential nomina'
l ton In 1908. He was handicapped,
''TFNSxsvys. s. eEs' IfsaSctt -clESy ne Was stir,
an unknown man outside Of the north.