Johnson, Hiram W.

Description

Autograph ID: 4201
Condition: Very Good
Description: “(1866-1945) Leading American progressive (and later isolationist) politician from California. 23rd Governor 1911-17, US Senator 1917-45. California lawyer from 1888, to San Francisco 1902. An assistant district attorney, became active in reform politics, taking up an anti-corruption mantle. Won 1910 gubernatorial election as a member of the Lincoln-Roosevelt League, liberal Republican movement running on an anti-Southern Pacific Railroad platform. A populist, implemented many important reforms, inc. popular election of US Senators, which stripped away sole franchise of the California State Legislature to vote for federal Senators. He also pushed for women suffrage and ability of candidates to register in more than one political party, a reform he believed would cripple the influence of what he viewed as a monolithic political establishment. In 1911, Johnson and the Progressives added initiative, referendum, and recall to state government, giving California a degree of direct democracy unmatched by any other state. Johnson was a founder of the Progressive Party in 1912, and that year was it’s VP candidate with former President Theodore Roosevelt; his selection helped Roosevelt carry California by 0.2% of the votes. The Progressives finished ahead of incumbent Republican President Wm. H. Taft but behind Democrat Woodrow Wilson. Re-elected governor 1914, in 1916 successfully ran for the Senate. Following Roosevelt’s death in Jan. 1919, Johnson was regarded as the natural leader of the Progressive Party. In 1920, however, he ran for President as a Republican, defeated for the nomination by Warren Harding. He received 10 votes for the nomination against Calvin Coolidge in 1924. Re-elected to the Senate with 94.5% of the popular vote in 1934. Johnson supported FDR’s New Deal, frequently aiding the Democrats and even backing FDR in the 1932 & 1936 presidential elections, although he never switched party affiliation. Became disenchanted with Roosevelt following the unsuccessful attempt to increase the size of the Supreme Court. A staunch isolationist (only Senator to vote against the League of Nations and the United Nations), Johnson was much less supportive of FDR on foreign policy.

TLS on 10 ½ x 8 US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (as ranking minority member) letterhead, Washington, August 30 1940, to Charles Segerstrom, Sonora, California, important Tuolumne County GOP figure. Johnson thanks Segerstrom for his message of congratulations, is happy to “receive the vote of confidence of the people of California.” Johnson had been nominated for re-election to his 5th Senate term.

Type: Letter