River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-09-23

sofa. HIS parents, u. Johnson anu
Caroline Hadens, both natives OF SWe-
den, were early corners on that wave
of Scandinavian immigration that has
peopled so much of Minnesota. Inc
story of Mr.. Johnson's boyhood was
one that was simple and ideal and OIL
fers one reason for his hold on the
1r-ople 1t is not a strange or an I'M
precedented story, that of fathers
desertion, of mothers struggle for
her little ones, and boys sacrifice
of school and recreation to help the
family to live Many have had the
same, but not many had the buoyant
spirit to overcome the handicap ana
turn it to account.
1t goes without saying that the
mother of John Johnson was an excep-
tional woman; in her face appears, in
the few portraits we have of her, the
strong and noble character that helps
to account for the preponderance of
these qualities in Gov. Johnson. In
those days she worked hard for her
young children. John, at the age of
10, quit the school and became wage
Garner, first in a grocery, then in a
drug store. From the age of 10 he
never had another days instructions,
but has never ceased to be student,
and was considered at the last as a
well educated man, so much SO that
he fully deserved the LID. which
he was entitled to write after his
name.
In two years the mother was no
longer a Washwoman and the other
children were at school, John worked
hard, read hard in all spare moments
and made friends with everybody. He
was interested in everything. An older
friend gave him a start in the right
sort of reading and he followed it up
eagerly, but he had time then for all
the activities of the village, as he had
in later life for the larger activities in
which he was thrown.
He never missed social functions.
He Joined societies, sang in his
church choir and in a quartette and
was always the leader among the
young people Of st. Peter.
Becomes a Democrat.
BY inheritance young Johnson was
supposed to be republican, but while
still a young man he became con-
vert to the democratic party on the
issue of tariff reform and when in
1886 the owners of the St. Peter Her
aid wanted a democratic editor and
also a little financial help, they induced
Johnson to take an interest in the
paper and become it's head. Although
not q writer, and with no knowledge
Of the printing business, Johnson was
wideawake and knew people and was
q successful editor from the start.
Following the bent of his boyhood,
he continued as a leader in local af-
fairs and whenever anything was at
issue in st. Peter, J. Johnson was the
natural leader He finally joined the
national guard and rose to be captain
of the local company. Having had a
taste for oratory, while still a boy,
which he INDUCED by practicing in Sc
cret places, he began to take mod
est part as a speaker in politics. In
1894, more as an honor than with any
expectation of success, the democrats
of Nicollet county nominated him for
state senator, but he was unable to
overcome a large republican majority.
He made friends, however, in the cam
paign, and in 1898 was given second
nomination and was elected.
He belonged to the minority and did
not aspire to leadership, his tendency
being to take things easy and see what
the future would bring forth.
Attains General Notice.
oft
thing more than a local reputation
in 1898. Governor Lind, who was at
the time. a free silver republican and
since became a democrat was a bitter
opponent of McKinley's policy of i'm
perialism. During the legislative ses-
sion, the governor secured the intro
duction of a resolution condeming the
Governments course in the Philip
pines. The measure was opposed by
some republicans and few democrats
supported it in desultory way and it
was about to be put to vote when
Johnson secured the floor. His speech
was the sensation of the session.
Throwing aside party lines, he de-
nounced the spirit that sought to put
the Minnesota legislature on record as
a critic of the national government.
The form of the resolution was for
the recall of a Minnesota volunteer
regiment from service against the
PHILIPPINE insurgents. Senator John
son summed UP his speech in these
words:
"Deplorable as l believe this war to
be, have one belief, that we should
Join together to uphold the hands of
the government regardless of the pol
itical course that may be endangered
by the situation. l believe the regi-
ment should remain in the Philippines
as long as the stars and stripes are
liable to insult. If this be political
treason, make the most of it"
other Legislative Proceedings.
During this same session there was
a contest on the bill to increase the
gross earnings tax on railways from
three to four per cent. Although the
bill was beaten in the senate by one
vote. Johnson was consistently for it,
and in 1901 was largely responsible
for its passage. In the democratic
state convention of 1900. Senator
Johnson was chosen to place the name
of Governor Lind in nomination for
a second term. His speech at this
convention and his legislative record
Ioodorc RI q