The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1909-10-27
SUCCUMBS TO OLD DISEASE FOL-
LOWING A MINOR
OPERATION.
CANDIDATES ARE AFTER MS SEAT
Demise Leaves N, D. Political Situa.
tion In Chaotic condition.-Gov.
Burke Expected to Name Dom.
ocrat to Fill Vacancy.

Fargo, N. D., Oct. 23-United States
Senator M. N. Johnson, of North Da'
kota, died at a hotel in this city OF
acute Bright's disease. He had been
here a short time for medical treat
ment, and the disease developed rap
idly, following slight nasal operation.
He was to have left here in day or
two to join the Taft party in the
south, and complete the balance of
the trip around to Washington from
New Orleans.
johnson was elected to the senate
by the last legislature, having been
one of two high men in the primaries
last June, and winning out in Novem-
Der, over T. F. Marshall. He took
his seat March 4.
Prior to his election he had been a
member of the constitutional conven-
ton, several times candidate before
the legislature for United States SEN
ator, and had served eight years in
the lower branch of congress.
Johnson's death leaves the political
situation, in North Dakota, in an ex-
tremely chaotic condition. AS Nc
Cumber comes up for reelection be-
fore the next primaries and the legls-
lature this will necessitate the cleo
ton of two senators.
AS Governor Burke is Democrat,
he will in the meantime select some
man of his party to fill the vacancy
until the next legislative session, and
North Dakota or the first time since
Roach's term will have Democrat in
The senate.
Gronna In the Race.
Congressman Gronna, from the same
county as Johnson, will now enter the
senatorial race for the short term.
Elk Congressman Marshall is already
in the race against McCumber for the
long term. Former Senator Hans
brough, now in Washington, will also,
undoubtedly return to the state and
engage in the senatorial contest. New
men will develop.
Senator Johnson was an Iowan, and
grew to manhood near DEBORAH, Iowa.
He practiced law, taught school and
was a member of the legislature in
Iowa before coming to this state as a
pioneer settler in Nelson county,
where he had since resided at Peters
burg. He was farmer, dairyman and
lawyer in this state and was always
active in politics.
Deceased was of Norwegian par
entage and one of the most prominent
men of the nationality in tie state.
He was a strong protection Republi-
can and was elected to the senate
largely as a compromise candidate,
after having trained with the insur-
gent wing of the party for some years.
His wife and mother were here, and
his private secretary, Skulason, his
son-in-law, reached here from Grand
Forks to assume direction of the fun
eral.
The city council was in session and
adjourned out of respect to the SEN
ator's memory.
Democrats on Qui Vive.
Fargo Democrats are doing some
speculating as to what Democrat Gov
ernor Burke will name as United
States senator to succeed Johnson till
the next legislature convenes.
State Senator Cashel, of Grafton,
was the Democratic candidate at the
primaries last year, and with such
prestige is regarded as the logical ap.
pointee by Burke. Next to Cashel
State Senator Purcell, of Wahpeton, il
regarded as the most available man.
There is one way in which Burke
might land the position, by resigning
as governor and making an arrange
ment with Lieutenant Governor Lewis
to name him. Lewis, however, is a
Republican and neither could afford tt
make such a trade. There is also
much speculation as to whether can
didates for both long and short sena
torial jobs can go before the primar
les. 1t is doubtful whether the state
primary law covers vacancies, anC
the successor to Johnson may be chos
en- by the legislature in the same man
ner as in former years, before the en-
actment of the primary law. Fine
technical legal points are involved.