Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-11
Latest Statement Declares He
is Not Quitting What He is
Attempting to Do Politically
Seek to Rid Party of Cor.
rupt and Keactionary Con-
troll 49,

Washington, April Ex-senator Hi
ram Johnson of California, candidate
for the Republican presidential nomi-
nation, declared tonight in a formal
statement that he is not quitting what
he is attempting to do politically"
That he defined as an effort to rid the
Republican party Of "a corrupt and re-
dictionary control"
There was no specific mention Of his
candidacy in his statement nor was
there any reference to persistent re-
ports that he would at least curtail his
activities in the remaining states that
are to select delegates to the Republic
can national convention at Cleveland.
Since his return to Washington yes
terday Senator johnson has conferred
with a number of his advisers here.
While no formal announcement has
been made, it is known that some of
them, at least, have advised him to
abandon the contest for the nomination.
The only public answer the senator
has given to questions as to whether
he intends to adopt that course is his
statement tonight, which follows:
"Of course l am not quitting in what
I am attempting to do politically. l
began this contest from within the
Republican party to rid it of corrupt
and reactionary control. and since !
commenced the necessity for such an
effort in some fashion by someone has
been demonstrated. The revelations of
corruption in high places, the silence
Of those who should speak for the peo-
pie. the apologies for wrongdoing, the
defence by spokesman of the admins
e. n;I Aht nnI hy h.
cry, demand that the rank and file of
the party. yet undefiled and responsive
to no private interest, should have at
least opportunity of expressing them
selves in detestation and protest.
"Above and beyond this, no man
can render a greater service or per-
form a higher duty t. the country
than in speaking without limitation
or fear In this era of exploitation ana
cntrenched dishonesty. When every
coward scurries to cover. every crav-
en- crawls to power, apologists mask
ing as opponents. excuse, because
they assert it runs rampant in every
party, when a press, with few eXcep-
tions, unites to hide and conceal, pal
late and belittles corruption in gov
eminent; when ugly bribery excites
not even conventional Indignation,
in those whose duty it is to speak a
peoples voice, somewhere. someone,
however, weak or feeble. should pub
licly preach again, in highways and
byways, the homely virtues OF the
Republic.
1.-THE Republican party is domin-
ated by the alliance between crooked
big business and crooked politics.
This alliance must be smashed ana
the party revitaliZed anu regenerat-
ed. The nation must be purged OF
those in power who divide their al
legiance with special or corrupt in
terests. The former is essential II the
Republican party is to survive; the
latter necessary for the preservation
of our cherished institutions.
"In my humble way, I have been
trying to do just this, and I shall
continue trying to do it. l am nei-
Their discouraged nor despairing.
Good men and good women ev-
erywhere, who seek neither Office nor
gain, who have no other though than
their country's welfare, have splen-
didly responded. Every financial
power, every organization, every Of
flee holder, local and federal, money
without stint. the press, with few
exceptions, every avenue of publicity,
tlc SIdnu dihiy Va POiAlASoA NJ OONc
and crooked big business with all its
ramifications, every individual with
a streak of yellow and every timid
fellow who expects political power or
preferment. have been on the other
side. That / have received as many
votes as l have, without organiza-
ton or funds or aid at all, rs a tri-
butte to our citizenship and a matter
or congratulation and spurs to re-
newed effort for decency in politics
and government.
1.-THE fight goes on until it shall be
won, until the Republican party be-
comes again a party OF its rank and
file, and until government IS again
responsive the people alone"