Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-01-19
ELEcrlNe A SENATOR.

The mutations of politics are many ,
and one of them brings Mr.. Johnson
prominently to the center of the politi-
cal stage after a number of years OF
private life. Mr.. Johnson has been con-
cerned intimately with the politics of
the state since its admission. He was
chairman of the first state convention,
where after stormy session his cleo
ton followed by bare majority of
one, and the first political history of
the state was shaped. He served sew
eral terms in the house of representa-
tives and left the house voluntarily to-
make the race for senator just ten
years, ago this winter. He was defeat
ed in his ambition at that time, and has
been a private citizen of the state since,
engaged with farming in Nelson county.
AT the Jamestown convention he was
the candidate of the minority faction
for governor. Early in the senatorial
race which will end with the election
of today he announced himself as
candidate and in the June primary he
was second in the race with total of
more than II, 900 votes His race was
made largely upon his personal ac-
quaintance and through an organization
of small number of citizens who es-
poused his cause after the so-called in
surgent conference at Grand Forks
which Endorsed Marshall. In the fall
election he surprised great number of
those who were aligned against him by
defeating Marshall by substantial ma
jority and earned for himself the in
dorsement of the Republican voters and
the election which will be contaminated
today. ss, y. sa y>..v$S = - B, : ! 4
MIR. Johnson is Independent, has been
sound on state and national issues, and
while an effort has been made to make
it appear that he is subservient to some
faction or part of the Republican party,
those who know him appreciate his Re-
publicanism and his independence.
Doubtless he appreciates that the votes
that elected him came from all factions
of the Republican party and that as
senator he is an officer OF the whole
state and representative of the whole
Republican party. His previous expert
ence in congress should be of service
and value to him in his career as SEN
ator, and his election will be tribute
to the good faith of the peoples repre-
sentatlves in the legislature and their
obedience to the will of the people as
expressed at the polls. While the pledge
taken by the members of the legislature
IS moral one and has no binding ef-
feet in law, there has been little if any
disposition to avoid its effect, all of
which proves the safety of representa-
tive government and that the will Of
the people duly expressed is potent,
even indirectly. - =
As a senator from sovereign state,
Mr.. Johnson occupies a position of
commanding influence and dignity.
There is plenty in the needs and inter-
ests of North Dakota to engage the
best efforts of all of our representa-
tives in congress. -. :
/ There must be disappointments in
politics, and the victory of the one
man means the defeat of another. The
: people are concerned, however, not
so much with individual advancement
or defeat as with general policies and
the interests Of the whole state. Mr..
Johnson should have the united sup
port of the people of the state in the
/ beginning of his senatorial. career and
should be encouraged in his work by
!. the belief and assurance that the people
of the state will stand loyalty by their
representatives in congress in all things
that make for the public good
yFg5 = 80