Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-05-13
Joseph T. johnson.

est and best specimens VI
she has produced during many genera
tions, and that thousands OF lndiVio-
uals including the writer, have lost d
friend and acquaintance whom they
felt it an honor to know.
As nearly as can be said Of any oth-
err man Of his day and generaton
.Judse Johnson was a man In whom
there was no guile. Like Abou Ben
Adhem, he proved his love for GOO oy
demonstrating his love for his reno"
men. and although he was IN politics
from his early youth until the day OF
his death, he was never guilty OF any
kind of a trick, or Of the least depart
ure from principle of the highest or
der. w
Judge Johnson went into politics
about thirty years ago. He had oeeh
graduated from college only re"
wears before and he was married. he
decided that he wanted to go to con-
gress. The late B. R. Tillman had al
ready become the supreme dictator IN
South Carolina politics, and Stanyarne
Wilson. one Of his lieutenants, was
renresenting the Fourth district IN
congress. Although really standing Tor
the things that Tillman professed 10
stand for, johnson was not I'LL
mantle. He was not any other Aihu
of an ite. He was just a big, proao-
minded, sincere lover OF humanity
He stood for things that were clean'
straight and upright, and it was not IN
him to seek or accept office except as
the free and intelligent choice OF the
people, without the sanction or patron
age of CLIQUE or poss. He was defeat-
ed four times in succession and in the
fifth race was overwhelmingly electeo'
Here is a story about Judge John-
sons political career that has not oeen
told: but the facts Of which can be
substantiated If the story should nap
pen to be brought into question. Inc
writer has it from the judge hlmsell'
as we'll as from the parties VINO ns-
ured. There is no question OF the cor
rectness. Among the hundreds Oh
friends Joe" Johnson made in Spar
tanburg during his earlier races were
three farmer brothers in the western
part of the county. They were not IN
politics and although quite well-to-oo'
they were not especially rich. Each
time the candidate ran these brothers
did everything they could for him In
their own neighborhood, which was
lined up almost solidly behind hlm'
as was the whole western part OF the
county. The only interest they had
was their conviction that their candi-
date was a great and good man, VINO
was deserving Of the support OF all
citizens of the kind who appreciated
his quality. Each time Mr.. Johnson
was defeated, the disappointment OF
the three brothers became more inten-
sified. After his fourth defeat Mr.
Johnson confided to one Of the broth
ers that he would not try again. He
gave as a reason that he had spent the
better part of ten years trying to get
elected: that he was poorer than when
he started; that his family was now
growing larger and he owed it to MS
wife and children to devote himself to
making a living for them. 1t became
generally accepted during the next
wear that Mr.. Johnson had retired from
the race; but the next year, with this
conversation in mind. one or the
brothers went to their old friend again
to try to persuade him to try 1t one
more time. Mr.. Johnson's reply was
the same as before. The brother came
at him like this: well, there are
three of us. We do not consider our
selves rich; but between us we can
stand the expense of a congressional
campaign, especially OF the kind tnat
YOU make, and we want you to
try it once more. We will put up
all the money you ask of us. II
you are elected you can pay 1t back'
and If you are not elected, I'll guaran-
tee that you will never hear another
word on the subject" Mr.. johnson
was very much affected. He did not
say what he would do; but later he en-
tered the race again. He did not ask
the gentlemen referred to for any
money; and so far as is known he did
not ask anybody else for any. He did
not spend a great deal in the cam
paign-certainly not cent for any i'm
proper purpose; but he was elected
overwhelmingly, and after that no 9TH
er man need apply.
AS to Mr.. Johnson's relations with
Tillman, they were always pleasant
enough. The congressman never
changed his opinion with regard to the
senator, and he never became one OF
the senator's lieutenants. There was
no hard feeling between the two. But
Tillman did not fail to appreciate the
real worth Of Joe Johnson. He said
while Johnson was still a member OF
congress, and before he was appointed
to the district judgeship: Joe Johnson
is easily the best representative oouth
Carolina has in congress"
Though not Of the namby pamby
type that always has its weather COCK
up to test the changing breezes. Mr.
Johnson was not trouble maker. He
attended strictly to his own business
but nevertheless he was man OF con-
victions, and he was not afraid to eX-
press his convictions on any subject
In the days when the dispensary was
the greatest political power in the
state, and when he could have gotten
votes by supporting it. he denounced
it as a source Of corruption, and even
after he became district judge ne
made no hesitation in declaring his
personal opposition to the liquor bus
mess, both legal and illegal. All that
ANYBODY had to do to get his political
opinions at any time was to ask for
them.
BY his elevation to the district
bench. Mr.. Johnson's position with re-