Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-10-23
THE DEATH OF SENATOR JOHN
SON.


SON. 1
There is an element of particular
pathos and sadness in the sudden
death of Senator M. N. Johnson at
Fargo this week. A seat in the sen
ate of the United States was the life
ambition of Mr.. johnson. He served
faithfully and well as member of
the lower house, and at time when
he occupied a place upon the import
ant ways and means committee,
which formed the Mckinley bill, he
voluntarily retired from the house to
make a campaign for the United
States senate. He was defeated for
that position, after a long and hard
fight in the legislature. He retired
to his farm in Nelson county, and
was in a measure out of active poll
teal life for number of years At
the time of the passage of the primary
law, as applying to the election of
United States senator's, he announced
himself as a candidate for the senat-
orial nomination. He was second in
the first primary election in June of
last year, and first in the fall election,
defeating Thomas F. Marshall by
several thousand votes. His was re-
markable campaign, in that it was
conducted personally by Mr.. John
son, whose positive strength with a
large element of the people Of the
state was not appreciated until the
returns came in.
Mr.. johnson was elected by the leg
islature last winter receiving every
republican vote in the two houses.
He began his term March last and
has served less than six months as a
senator. His end came when that
for which he strove so long and so
hard, and to which he was entitled
through his personal strength with
the voters of the state, was just in
his grasp, and before he had served
one year Of his term. Politics aside,
it all indicates the vanity of human
wishes and desires, and the weakness
of-humanity. in the hands Of that ma
ture that gave him birth and nurtur-
ed. Human ambitions and as
pirations are calculated, Of course.
upon the expectation Of continued
life and strength, and it is necessary
and wise that this should be so. At
the same time, there is the frequent
example of death and the end of all
earthly ambitions and activities COM
ing quickly, unexpectedly and with
startling suddenness, cutting off life
in the prime of it's usefulness, and
snuffing out ambition and aspiration
as the flame of a candle fiickers out
in the blast.
Senator Johnson was a man Of
strength, determination and potent
individuality. He had a positive fol-
lowing that was personal. A great
number of people in the state were
his friends and supporters because
they believed In his intrinsic worth.
He was an ardent republican. He was
believer in the protection of Amer
lean industries and laborers, and
had a wholesome love for his country
and his countrymen. He was not
an apoIogist for his official acts. He
did not hesitate to follow the die
tates of his belief and to defend his
actions before the people. He would
have been an interesting and potent
figure in the forthcoming primary
campaign in the state. His sudden
death will loose flood of specula-
tion and prediction, as to its effect
upon politics In. the state. II
There will be genuine warm SYM
pathy for the members Of the family.
1t was a united family, all Of whose
members had mucn love, admiration
and pride for its head. Mr.. Johnson
was a commendable figure in private
life as well an in public life , He was
farmer who loved his work. He
knew the soil and never kesitated to
do his share with hands and
strength, to contribute to the wealth
and welfare Of the world. @ ...s j.:
Mr.. Johnson's successor will doubt
less be a democrat. and in the opin-
ion Of those who have followed poll
tical affairs. the likely successor will