The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-20
against civil order, or reckless efforts OF reck-
less men to substitute dynasty OF selfish
ness and littleness for despotigm Of corrup-
BAsELEss RUMORs.

We extract from the CatahOula Mems the fOl- |
lowing article concerning the goveraorship,
which embodes In condensed form all the OBJ
jections that have been urged against the
candidacy Of Lieut.. Gov. Witt:
The majority Of the country papers OF the
State have. expressed 9 preference for GOV
seems to be- in the lead. II hs should be the
nominee Of the party we propose to give him
oil the support In our power. but ct the same
choice. for that position. The fact that he Is
from the city 81. New Orleans has no consider
able weight with US. All other things being
equal, we would prefer MAJ from North Lou
isiana; but the portion OF the State from which
TIE governor comes l. mat mat o. secondary
from what locality be- halls Our objections to
GOV. Wlliz are t twofold. The first il. that the
character OF his supporters Ia New Orleans ~
not such as to warrant us In the belief that his
administration will be surrounded BY as pure a
political atmYsphere as is desirable. The
Witt men Of New Orleans are notthe merchants,
they consist Of the short hairs the flremen.
ward bunmers and the small politicians. An
administration sustained bv such following
The second objection to Gov. Wilt 10 the belief
that his aDDointeees, TO office will be chosen
that Of their devotion to the Witt cause. BE
opponents. The supreme Court, instead Of
Of their ability. will consist OF politicians who
have been most active In securing for him the
nomination for aoyern r. Wn may y o. m,s
We hope we are, but We must have better cyl
dence than heretofore that n y d1fferent man
t he Wn are w sn1s n e viii be- he s to do
him fullest justice.-[ Catahonla News.
We are glad that the Catahoula Neus has
openly and dispasslonately presented these
charges and assertions, because 1t Is proper
that the merits or dement's or a candidate for
so exalted position should be able to bear
the closest scrutiny.
| We have closely observed the public career
OF this gentleman for the past ten years, and
it affords us pleasure to refute authoritatively
several Of the errors into which persons dis
tant from New Orleans have fallen.
| TO the first objection 1t may be said that
Notwithstanding the fact that those classes
are not active participants In political Issues,
and seldom express approval OF any man In
public life, yet Mr.. Witt has hundreds Of
warm supporters In mercantile circles, COM
posed OF the wealthiest houses, leading law
yers and largest property-holders OF this city,
as his opponents will discover Ia due time.
/ The classification OF the mechanical, labor
Ing and poorer classes Of New Orleans who
support Gov. Witt as short hairs, firemen
and ward bummers'' Is far-fetehed Islander
which political sore-heads and designing poll
ticians, whose schemes have been defeated,
circulate with malicious intent.
Gov. Witt has been an honored member OF
the fire department Of this city since his boy
hood; he has contributed to Its preservation
and promoted its efficiency.
| For forty-two years this organization,
composed OF brave men, have battled
against the elements which constantly
menace the lives and property Of our citi-
Gems, In storm and sunshine, in the daylight
or at midnight, these philosophical guard
ians confront public enemy, exposing their
lives destroying their health, and Drawing
dangers that would often appal the stoutest
hearts. Gov. Witt Ia not ashamed Of hls
| connection with an association which beare
upon Its honorable records the names OF the
most honored citizens Of Louisiana. Such
names as slocomb, De Choiseul, Lipscomb
Herndon, May, Moalton, McCauley and hun
dreds OF others distinguished In finance and
letters, are to be found upon the rolls OF the
companies, and the graveyards bear testi'
mony to such brave souls as Mcleod, Wood
ruff and Trad Ferry, who offered up their
lives In the service.
4 The Hon. Jno. G. Moncure is the honored
chief engineer Of the Shreveport depart
ment. Yet no one would dare cast reflection
upon this pure gentleman because OF that
fact, and the reports which go to the ears OF
our country friends that our fire department
ID involved In politics Is a greater SANDER
than to charge that our gallant citizen sol
diers would permit their organizations to be
drawn into political concerns, inasmuch as
political occasions may arise that bring them
into service.
Concerning the rumors Of complications,
bargains or promises OF appointment, the
DEMOCRAT is In position to say absolutely
that neither Gov. Wilt nor his friends have
directly or Indirectly, given any pledge or
promise, or made any agreement touching
any elective or appointive position.
The character Of the appointments on com
mittees, made In the Constitutional Conven
/ ton, and his impartial conduct ought to con.
vince our neighbor that Gov Witt will, II
elected seek the highest order Of talent ant
conspicuous ability In order to make his ad
minstration strong and successful.
/ To those who know his great ambition to
deserve the high opinion Of the people OF his
native State, such an assurance is unneces-
sary but this Islander has passed throughout
the State, and it seems but a simple act o
! Justice to brand the falsehood In it's birth.
/ Our neighbor Of Catahoula must admit that
the overwhelming sentiment which has beer
expressed for the nomination Of Gov. Wilt
has come from the country parishes. Orleans
would be proud Of the nomination, but thu
claims OF her favorite candidate are basee
solely upon an untarnished character, recog.
nized ability and long years Of honorable pub
Mr. Davies declination has very much dis
gusted the stalwart press Of Cincinnati anG
Chicago, and their disappointment is I'LL con
cealed. They now pretend that the very rea
sons that were given by Mr.. Davis shows tina
i he really wants to 20 to the Senate and his