The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-04-25

N. p. MONDAY, APRIL 20,
I'm 1879 he vas married to Miss
Stella White. and to her aid and in
spiration was due n large measure
the success which he achieved in life.
In 1882 Mr.. Johnson moved TO what
was then the territory Of North Da-
kota. and entered q homestead near
Petersburg, Nelson county, where he
continued to reside until his death In
1885 he was elected states attorney
Tor Nelson county, and was reelected
In 1889 the territory Of Dakota
which had been knocking at the doors
OF congress for . number of years.
was admitted a. two states, North and
South Dakota. Realizing his fitness.
his neighbors elected Mr.. johnson a
member Of the constitutional conyen-
ton called to frame constitution for
that part Of the territory that was to
become the state Of North Dakota. He
took an active. part In the delibera-
tons OF the convention, and was in
nuenttal In shaping the organic law
OF the new state.
He was candidate for election an
one of the first United States senators
from the state, but. Although he was
nominated in the Republican caucus.
ne was defeated by a combination of
Republicans and Democrats. At the
same session of the legislature occur
red the memorable lottery fight Mr..
Johnson was not q mem .er of the
legislature, but the people of his coun-
ty met In mass meeting and selected
him to go to the capital and oppose
the attempt to sell the honor Of the
state.
I'm the fall Of 1890 Mr.. johnson
was elected a member of congress,
and was reelected Ia 1892, 1894, and
1885,. During the latter years Of his
service in the house, he was a mem
Der Of the ways and, means committee,
and as such had hand in the shaping
of the Dingley tari9 law.
"ln 1898 he declined a denomination
for the house, and announced his in
tention Of being q candidate for
United States senator before the next
legislature. He was undoubtedly the
strongest candidate, but he was de-
feated by a combination among the
followers of the other candidates. Ac-
cepting his defeat with his usual
cheerfulness, he retired to his farm
where he spent the next few years.
In 1906 he again becam- active in
state politics, and his name was pre-
sented to the Republican state con-
vention as candidates for governor.
He failed of nomination. however. In
!, 1908 he was for the third time can
didate for United States senator, un-
der a statewide primary law provid-
ing for an expression by the people
of their choice for ;senator. He re-
ceived the popular vote, and in Janu-
ary, 1909, he was elected by the legis-
lature. He took his seat in the SEN
ate, March 4, 1909. AID served through
the extra session.
"He died during thesrecess, October
81, 1909. at Fargo, North Dakota,
where he had gone for a minor opera
tion for throat trouble. He is sur
vived by his widow, one. son, and
three daughters.
His Character.
cit Is dfficuft to ,f5rm a true esti-
mate Of a mans work until some
years have passed since he ceased
from his efforts. That part Of his
work which is apt to impress us most
in a retrospect, 10 that which he was
engaged in last, and our view of his
last work is apt to influence our
Judgment on his former work. Furth-
er, II Q man is personally known to
us, we will remember his personality
more than his work, and this will
influence our judgment. And finally,
it sometimes takes years before it is
possible to see what the result will be
of anyone's efforts, and thinks that
we approve of may be condemned by
the seasoned judgment Of history. A
true estimate of any mans work can
be formed only when the years have
mellowed our prejudices and events
have shown the results of Ills efforts.
"It is not for US to pass on the
work of the late Senator Johnson: {:
we can only say what his efforts were
and what his ideals were. l did not
always agree with him; believed
that he sometimes advocated wrong
policies. and that he at times WIS
mistaken in his judgment c. men and
measures. but we can not all agree;
we should not be human II we could.
There is no man whose judgment is
not fallible. and sometimes even his
tory hesitates to pronounce judgment
on men and policies. But the men
might question his judgment and dis
agree with him as to measures. his
integrity and honesty Of purpose were
never impeached. Even in the fiercest
campaigns, the charge was never
made that he had ever in the slightest
degree been influenced in his actions
by unworthy motives.
Faithful to His Trust.
CAS- a legislator he was faithful.
diligent. and enthusiastic. His ideals
were high. and his stand was always
for civic honesty and political right
eousness. OF the constitutional con-
vention that framed the constitution of
the state of North Dakota, he was one
of the leading members. He was es-
| pecially active in securing the adop-
tion of provision prohibiting the
manufacture and sale of intoxicating
1sn,,aur To- rouy cfofa fhno oddino