The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1912-10-24
EX-GOV. LEE SAYS
It WON'T Do To
ELECT JOHNSON
Best Known Democrat
In State Makes
Statement.
RAILROADS IN IT
Lee Declares They Are En-
Enthusiastically Backing
Democratic Nominee.
RAILROADS IN 1T

Sioux Falls, S. D.-That e. 5.
Johnson, democratic candidate for
governor, is backed by the railroads
in his campaign for the office and
that he would therefore be an OBJ
stacle to further progressive rail
road legislation in South Dakota, if
elected, is the oninion OF Andrew F..
Lee, ex-governor of South Dakota
and one of the state $ most intluen-
tial democrats. as outlined in a let
ter to Hedge Upland, editor of the
Sioux Falls Posten, a Norwegian
weekly newspaper of this city.
Mr.. Lee said in part in his letter:
This statement is correct. j cam
not and will not support Mr.. f.. S.
johnson, neither win | support II. r.
Dowdell for Congress or MIR. Lynch
for Attorney General, believing that
these men are utterly unworthy OF
the positions to which they aspire. |
am fully convinced that Mr.. Johnson
is supported loyalty by the Railroad
interests in this state. 1t is we'll
known that during the Primary Cam
paign the Northwestern railroad sent
one of its representatives to Pierre
to call off an employee who was OPP
posing Mr.. Johnson's candidacy, stat
ing that Mr.. Johnson was all right
and that they wanted to see him
elected. ! am also reliably informed
that the anne company have since
the primary election, called their
men in the office and asked their
4 support for Mr.. johnson, and it is no
secret that the railroad companies,
+ about a week before the primary
election. had men working for the
@ nomination of MIR. Johnson in this
state and opposing Mir. Wickhcm.
notwithstanding this fact. Mr..
. johnson accused Mr.. Wickhem OF
o being a railroad man, and used that
t. as the principal reason, why Mr..
Wickhem should not he nominated
If for Governor. This false and ma
licious attack upon Nj. johnson was
n unwarranted, MI. Johnson himself
IT being the recipient OF the railroad
A. companY's influence and support but
lit had the desired effect and was un'
- w
ne ~questionably the cause of Mr.. Wick
$ hens defeat. as hundreds OF people
We're misled and doubtless believed
this malicious statement to be true
And vet Mr.. Johnson has the audac
c. itv to ask and expect the support o
e. men whom lie has vilified and mus
II ed.
n Legislative Record.
~ Il have before me MI. johnson
'r' legislative record in 1898 when Ii
Ne was a men. Der of the Senate and wa
on the railroad committee. AS every
'c one knows. Harry Hunter of tn
no Milwaukee. and Alex johnson of tn
i,u Northwestern, at that time dictate
IN not only the railroad committee, bu
it every other important committee
~ The report shows taht Mr.. Johnso
. absenced himself whenever a vot
was taken in favor of the people an
against the railroad companies. Wit
'p- the exception OF one time. when
lel vote was taken on Senate Bill No. ~
ON, which provided a form of %procedul
Wv for the purpose of condemnlng RAJ
as road property when desired as site
,e Ior warehouses. Mr.. Johnson vote
' Aye for the reason, / am realiabl
~ informed, that he wanted a sWitc
built at Armour to his elevator. TIL
W is the only time that the recor'
:, show that he was present when
vote was taken against the railroad
by Notwithstanding the fact that
an. was a member of the railroad cor
~ mites
b. Warns Against Railroads.
70 Mr.. Johnson has always been T
garded as a faithful servant of Il
railroad interests, and the fact TIL
the railroads are now supporting NJ
johnson should convince every vot
q that nothing can be expected in t
- way of railroad legislation or q ju
and equitable taxation of railro;
property if Mr.. Johnson is elect
Governor. The railroad compani
= never made a mistake in their me-
Candidates can fool the people, b
they can't fool the corporations
Ike.
Aberdeen, S. D.. c. Siemann,
erS. prominent Brown county farmer