The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-11
Johnson and the "old Guard. "

The presidential candidacy of Sena-
tor Hiram Johnson of California IS
founded on the same principle that led
him to desert the Republican party In
1912 and run for vice president on the
Roosevelt progressive ticket. This
principle is opposition to the "old
guard" of the party and appeal TO the
liberal elements in the West Senator
Johnson's managers this year, however,
assert that he will not bolt the Chicago
Republican convention, no matter who
is nominated.
The Louisville Post Qnd.) see many
signs pointing to the acceptance by
a clear majority of American radicals
of Mr.. johnson as their candidate. If
in that role he does not play havoc
with. the boys of the old guard, the
Post is mistaken" This authority goes
on to say:
"Since he came to the senate, Mr.
Johnson has been more or less regular
as a Republican. He was not over
enthusiastic about the war, and ne is
fighting the peace treaty in any foim.
He aided the Republican regulars to
get control of the senate committees.
He is a candidate for the presidential
nomination, but his managers say he
will not bolt II he is not nominated.
That he will be nominated is most i'm
probable, for he is radical to the core,
and the men who will control the Re-
publican convention are safe and sane,
How actively he will support the Re-
publican nominee. however, remains to
be SEEN"
In North Dakota. where the Repub-
lican convention declared in favor of
"uninstructed delegation S EN- a t o r
johnson has insisted on entering the
primaries In that state, the home OF
the Non Partisan league, there is con-
siderable sentiment for a radical, or at
| least a liberal candidate. The Fargo
Courier-N News, organ Of the Non arti-
sans. applauds Mr.. Johnson's refusal te
be bound by the state convention. II
does not regard him as IAN ideal presi
Dental candidate thinking "he falls
| far short in many respects of the type
| of man America needs in this great cri-
sis. He does not champion funda-
| mental reforms; he stands merely fo1
| patching a little more the existing eco
| homie structure. But in North Dakota
| Hiram johnson does stand for a funda-
| mental principle of democracy. He
stands for the right of the people tc
| choose their own candidates"
The Fargo Forum tRep.), bitterly op.
posing the Nom Partisan league ant
all radical tendencies. says Senator
Johnson made a decidedly favorable
impression" in his recent visit there
| since he made it clear he does no
wear the Townley IN. p L. collar MOI
| support the Townley policies" He ha'
renowned the entire Socialist program
of the Non-Partisan league by saying
he is not in favor of 'socialized indus
I,try'" and that he is mot a Non
partisan but Republican" Neverthe
less. 1.-The Socialists have Endorsed then
as their candidate" and the Forum con
tinues:
IF Senator johnson is the choice a
the primaries--and since he will prob
ably have no opposition he probably will
| be-they can claim credit for the vic
tory and get what political prestig
they can out of it for the state fight
If he should lose, they can wash thei
hands Of him and say he never was
Non Partisan, anyway"
The Johnson candidacy has an inter
esting status in Ohio also. There Sen
ator Harding appears to be the frs
choice for president in the Republican
primaries. but the law requires tn
designation of second choice" A
Senator Harding's request, Senate
Johnson has consented to be the sec
ond choice" candidate on the Hardin
ticket--a case of senatorial courtesy
says the Indianapolis News Qnd.), 70
thus and only thus, may the un
senatorial Wood be squelched. TIL
News finds this Harding johnson com
bination deeply affecting"
Harding, one of the old faithful
standpatter, reactionary, and johnson
disciple of Roosevelt, progressive, mod
ern, who stumped the country in tn
brave days of 1912 as the prophet c
new dead radicalsm."
This combination strikes the San An
tonic Express Und. DEM as an illus
tration of the saying that polite
makes strange bedfellows.'
Senator Johnson's arraignment of tn
"reactionary" element in his party an
7 o,,fin ,1o, H. f@ 4I1r1 49,
chief opponents, Gen. Wood and Coz
Lowden, are eagerly seized upon in tn
Democratic press. In the South Dakot
primary campaign he declared:
Seldom in any state has such a
extravagant expenditure of money in