The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-04-02
PAID TR|bQNEl1O THE MEMORY Of
LATE SENATOR JOHNSON Of NORTH DAKOTA
Principal Address Made by Senator Porter McCumber Who
Spoke Eoquenty and Tendery of the Life, Character
and Public Service ST His Late Colleague

Qx1O i uUxx
Washington, April 2.-Immediately
following the morning hour in the
senate today, Senator McCumber call
ed up the resolution which set apart
the day to pay tribute to the memory
of the late Senator Martin N. Johnson
of North Dakota.
Senator McCumber addressed the
senate on the life, character and puD-
lie service of his late collegue as fol-
lows:
"Mr. President: In the strength of
his manhood, in the MONDAY of his
vigor, and in the fullness of his in
tellectual power, when seemingly
best prepared by learning and ex-
perience to serve his country and his
state in that high official position to
which he had been so recently efeva-
ted by the voice Of people, death
has removed Senator Johnson from
the field of this worlds labors. He
died in the city of Fargo on the 81
Of October last, after very brief
illness.
Senator Martin Nelson johnson
was born in Racine county. Wiscon-
sin, on the 3rd day of March, 1850.
He was married to Miss Stella White
on June 16, 1879, and is survived by
her and by his daughter Edith MRS.
s. G. Skulason), his daughter Nellie
(Mrs. s. NJ. Hydle), his daughter
Florence, and his son Ralph.
His Public Career.
Senator Johnson's father and
mother were both natives of Norway,
the former emigrating to this country
in 1889. In the year Of his birth his
family moved to the state of Iowa
where he was reared to manhood.
After attending the upper Iowa uni
versity at Fayette, he entered the
state university of Iowa and gradual
ed therefrom in the year 1873. Then
followed two years as instructor in
the California military academy at
Oakland. In 1875 he returned to the
state Of Iowa. The same year he was
elected to the state legislature. This
was his first entry into political life.
Since that time he has held the fol-
lowing official positions: In the year
1876 he was presidential elector on
the Republican ticket. From 1877 to
1881 he was member of the state
senate of Iowa. From 1886 to 1890
he was district attorney in North Da-
kotakota. In 1889 he was a member
of the constitutional convention
which framed the constitution of the
state of North Dakota. From 1890
to 1898 he was congressman at large
from the state of North Dakota. At
the primary election OF 1908 he re-
ceived the nomination for United
States senator and was elected by
the state legislature on the goth day
of January, 1909, and held that po-
sition from March 3, 1909, to October
81, the day of his death.
His public services to the state of
North Dakota were most important.
A firm believer in the cause of tenn
perance he was the strongest advo-
cate for, and the most potent force
In securing constitutional prohibition
against the manufacture and sale of
intoxicating liquors in the state.
Later when an attempt was made to
transfer the Louisiana lottery to the
state of North Dakota, Mr.. johnson
was the leading figure and power in
the battle against that attempt.
I'm politics he was Republican,
a firm believer in the protective pol
Icy of that party and an earnest ad-
vocate of its sound money principles.
In the 54th and 55th congresses he
was member of the ways and means
committee of the house and was an
influential and an important factor in
framing the Dingley tariff law. AS
member Of congress he introduced
as an amendment to the military ap-
preparation bill a provision for abol-
ishfng the canteen in the United
States army. and thus planted. the
seed OF sentiment which grew until
1t became law upon our statute
books.
During the campaign of 1896 he
made many addresses in favor of the
gold standard, and his presentation
OF the subject had much to do with
lining up his own state in favor of
that policy. Although for nearly
nine years he held no public position,
he nevertheless took leading part
in every political campaign in his
state.
His previous experience in tariff
legislation was valuable asset and
had its influence upon his actions and
votes in the last congress, where,
after securing what he considered the
best bill that could be passed, he
supported by his vote on all occasions
the report Of the committee on fin
ance. and gave his hearty adherence
to the present administration.
His Private Life.
"Thus his public career has been
ever one of high ideals and unflinch-
ing fidelity to principle. But Mr..
President. l doubt very much il the
public career Of any man, however
great, Is ever so potent in its influ-
ence for good upon future genera
tions as is private life we'll and
Asnorably lived. Life is made up.