The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-05-13
JOSEPH 4. JOHNSON.
, 90 -.


Some days since the Memphis, Ten
nessee, Commercial-Appeal contained
a lengthy and very strong editorial Of
endorsement Of Hon. Joseph Il. John
son, member of congress from the
Spartanburg district of South Carolina.
That paper spoke Of the magnificent
work Mr. johnson is doing to protect
the people against cxtravagant eXpen-
ditures and to bring about true re-
forms in public affairs.
| Among the bills introduced by Mr.
Johnson was one for members to be
paid actual travelling expenses, and
not 20 cents per mile, as is now the
law. Mr.. Johnson argued that tho
20-cent mileage was adopted before
the days of railways and cheap and
rapid transit, when members had to
travel back and forth from Washing
ton by stage coach or on horseback.
But now that they can travel on rail
ways for not exceeding three cents, 1t
is unjust to the taxpayers for mem
bcrs to receive some five or six times
their actual outlay besides their sal
aries and other pcrquisitics. Mem
bers from our insular possessions, or
even the far west or Pacific slope,
thus take from the treasury sum al
most equal TO the salary Of con-
gressman
Mr.. Johnson succeeded in having
this bill pass The house, 5e it said to
the credit Of the members, but it hangs
fire in the senate
And this is only one of the highly
commcndable bills this faithful and
vigilant South Carolina congressman
has introduced. He has ever since
his election to congress, fought un-
necessary extravaganza, and is indeed
and in truth n guardian Of the public
treasury. lIe has wagcd an unending
war against the policy of pensioning
, public officials, and in fact, every
financial measure introduced is care
fully studied by Congressman John
, son and he never fails nor hesitatcs
to show the injustice Of needless ex-
/ pcnditures. This vigilant member
has saved the people vast sum Of
money, and we heartily endorse all
the praise given him by the Memphis
paper.
The editor Of this paper supported
Mr.. Johnson when he first made his
, race for congress and we have watch
ed with pride and qualification his
: splendid career. He is the soul Of
honor, truth and sincerity, and his
constituents always know that their
. every right and interest is safeguard
ed by Joe Johnson.
. To show the kind of man he is we
t heard him confess to casting GER
tain unpopular vote, when Senator
/ Irby, his bitterest political enemy
Y asserted that he (rby) was at the
: polls in Laurens all day, and that
Johnson did not vote. But instead
Of seeking to advance his political
e success by condoning an error, Jos.
G Johpson stated that Senator Irby was
: mistaken; that he did vote, while the
: senator was taking lunch, but the
' speaker confessed that he made a
mistake in that ballot Joe Johnson
I then went on to state that he knew
I this confession would injure his
: chances for election to congress, but
Q he had rather go down in defeat than
: secure office by conniving at an hon
est mistake or under false colors.
( Instead Of that confession harmine
: Mr.. Johnson, 1t showed the voters the
] true and honest man he was. He
: swept his district, and for a number
a Of terms has faithfully and ably rep
: resented not only his constituents, but
!. the people of our entire country.
4 Such men as Joe Johnson, of Spar
y this degenerate age, and his people
s are doing great work for both their
o district and the country at large
when they retain him iii office.
$ We have known Hon. Joseph T.
: Johnson long and intimately, and II
did our heart good to see him sc
highly endorsed and commended by
;. such strong and we'll Informed pa
h pers as the Memphis Commercial
: Appeal. In fact, we notice that the
If press Of the entire country is hold
e ing Congressman Johnson, Of Soutl
O Carolina, up as an example for theil
n members.
l., God never created a Durcr hear