The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1867-06-29
Gov. Flanders.

The following are the antece-
dents of Governor Flanders-the
successor of Governor Wells-as
collated by the New Orleans
Black Republican:
Mr.. Flanders was born in Bris-
toll, New Hampshire on the Goth
day of January, 1916 he gradua-
ted at Dartmouth college in 1912.
He devoted a short time subse-
quently to the study of law, and
came to this city about the year
1843. About that time the system
of public schools was initiated in
this city, and Mr.. Flanders took
an active part in the first organi-
sation. He accepted the position
of principal of the Cont street
| school, which, however, he resign
ed some months afterWard to go
into the publication of the Tropic
newspaper, in which he was asso
ciated with Colonel T. B. Thorpe.
He soon sold out his interest in
the paper and resumed the bust
ness of teaching. While engaged
in the schools he was elected a
member of the board of aldermen
of the third district. T0l
In 1858 the people of New Orle-
ans began to turn their attention
to the project of building rail
roads. Mr.. Flanders took an act
i've part in promoting this class
of Improvements, and was elected
by the board of directors secretary
and treasurer of the New Orleans,
Opelousas and Great Western rail.
road. He discharged the duties
of the position until 1861, when
he was obliged to leave the State
on account of his well known at.
tachment to the Union and his
opposition to secession. He pass,
ed with some difficulty through
the rebel country, then under
command of the Reverend Bishop
Polk, who had the direction Of
military affairs in Tennessee.
He had interviews with Gener-
al Butler in New York and Wash
ingtOn some months before the
latter came to this department.
His intimate acquaintance with
the topography and personnel OF
New Orleans enabled him to give
the general many valuable sug.
gestions in regard to the field up,
on which he was soon to become
famous. As soon as Mr.. Flanders
learned that General Butler was
here, he returned, and was shortly
afterwards appointed city treasur-
er, in place of Adam Giffen, re.
moved by the commanding gener.
al. In July or August he organ
lied the system of free markets, by
which some sixteen or seventeen
thousand poor people were fed
daily from General Buffers com.
missary stores.
| In November, 1868, Mr.. Elan,
ders was a candidate for Congress
from the first district of this State,
in which he was opposed by j. e.
Bouligny, who had represented the
district in the previous Congress.
Mr.. Flanders was elected by an
immense majority. He then re-
signed his Office as treasurer, in
which he was succeeded by Mr..
John S. Walton.
Upon the expiration of his con-
gressional term in 1868, he was
appointed supervising special
agent of the treasury by Secretary
Chase. In the latter part of the
same year he assisted in organi-
sing the First National Bank of
New Orleans, and was elected the
first president of that institution.
Finding, however, that the duties
of his Office, and those required OF
him as president of the bank were
too ardous, he resigned the latter,
and devoted his time exclusively
| to his federal Office.
During the canvass of 1864, Mr..
Flanders was one of the candidates
for Governor, and received a large
vote. With this exception he has
devoted the last three years OF
his time to the duties of his Office
of special agent; and although
most of them have been termina-
ted by law, he has a large work
to perform in closing up affairs OF
his department.
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