Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1909-09-22
GOVERNOR JOHN JOHNSON.

A true Democrat and staunch man
of the people died when Gov. John
Johnson, of Minnesota, passed away.
Reviewing his career, now that death
has claimed him, one feels that it can
be truthfully said of him, as the
French king said of his rival whom he
saw lying dead at his feet: Taller he
seems in death" BY whatever stand
ard we measure him this man towers
up, giant among his fellows in phys
ical courage in moral strength, in
mental power, in that undaunted con-
sistency of action that comes from
firmly fixed convictions, in rigid ad-
herence to the principles of virtue and
justice in private and in public life.
Unmoved by the passing winds he
stood fine example to other public
men of resolute adherence to princi-
pies that have been carefully studied
and calmly accepted and made the
beacon star of life. 1t was the recog-
votion to principle, that attached the
people to him and brought him three
times to the gubernatorial chair of
Minnesota. There was no clap trap
about him, no pandering to the tempo
airy whfms of the populace, no setting
of the sails to catch the shifting
breezes of popular prejudices and pas
sions. A study of public conditions
had brought him to certain conclus-
ions as to the remedies required for
wrongs that were increasing in in
tensity. He advocated those remedies
and secured the support of the people
in bringing about the requisite re-
forms. Minnesota and the entire
northwest, indeed one might say the
entire country, is to-day the more
democratic, the freer from corporation
dominance of it's public affairs, be-
cause John Johnson lived
While Gov. Johnson was a true re-
former he was not a demagogue 1t
is difficult at times to distinguish be-
tween the two, but the public speedily,
as rule, separates the one from the
other. The corporate influences that
he sought to check soon distinguished
the difference between a man of Gov.
Johnson's type and the sensational,
loud lunged, Unbalanced seekers after
official place and power, promoting
their selfshFfnterests through misrep-
reservations and panaceas without
merit The confidence of all classes
in his strong common sense and per-
sonal integrity became Gov. Johnson's
chief asset as an executive. Measures
advocated by him were almost newt
ably assured of ultimate adoption.
More equitable taxation, the legiti-
mate regulation of transportation
lines, the elimination as far as posi-
BILE of corrupt influences in politics,
these and other reforms stand to his
undying credit His death leaves pub
lie conditions in his own and adjourn
ing states vastly improved. This man,
it is evident to all, did not live and la
Dor to no purpose.
All know the story of Gov. Johnson's
poverty-stricken childhood, the father
a victim to drink and a pauper, the
noble mother holding the little family
together by the stress of her daily la
bors as a washer-woman, giving them
start by common school education
and the inculcation of these principles
of sterling character that must ever be
the foundation of any genuinely sue
cessful manhood his early life as a
newspaper editor and his entrance in
to politics and successful march on
ward to the governorship. In an un-
happy moment his Republican OPP
ponents tainted him, in his first cam
paign for governor, with his obscure
origin. Gov. Johnson promptly paid a
tribute to the mother who had so no
bly, met the exigencies of life that
brought thousands of votes to his
support. The true heart of the state
revolted against the snobbish attack
and the taunt was never repeated.
The death of a clean, noble hearted,
clear thinking, incorruptible public
man is a national calamity. Such a
man was Gov. Johnson Regardless
of party affiliations the American peo-
pie can well afford to pay a tribute TO
his memory.