The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-21
FOB GOVERNOR, LOUIS A. WILTz.

We this morning announce Hon. Louis A.
Tilta as the first choice Of the DEMOCRAT for
he Democratic nomination for Governor OF
Louisiana.
Mr.. Witt is yet quite young man, but his
many and faithful services to Louisiana and
New Orleans have given him d reputation
wider than the limits Of the State and en-
deared him to the hearts Of the people q
every section Of the Commonwealth. Our
own first choice for the high position Tor
which his friends are presenting his claims,
we have watched the development and
Or public sentiment with
o critical eye. and we do not hest
tate to say that never. in our eK-
perIence, and We may safely add rarely
in the history of the State. has there been so
general, 30 spontaneous and 50 enthusiastic
a concentration OF popular preference dis
played for q man for the first Office In the gift
or the people as has been manifested, during
the past month or six weeks, by the people OF
Louisiana for Mr. Witt for Governor Of Lou
isiana. Indeed, In the popular phraseology
Of the time, the Wilt boom has spread from
parish to parish, until In Its breadth, and vol
ume, and power, it has reached to every nook
and corner Of the State The DEMOCRAT
joins heartily and earnestly in the popular
preference and without, In any way, dispar-
aging the claims or aspirations OF other prom
inent Democrats we shall give Mr. Wiltz q
vigorous and cordial support. Atthis time 1T Is
perhaps proper that we should briefly review
the career OF this gentleman, that the people
may fully understand and appreciate his
public services.
Louis Alfred Witt was born In this city In
1s42, and is consequently now but thirty-six
years III age He was educated In tho public
schools Of New Orleans, but at the age OF fiji
teen years he left the HighFchool and took q
situation In o. commercial house on Carondeet
street, where. by assiduous attention to his
duties. he won the confidence and esteem OF
his employers, and laid TIE foundation of that
practical and thorough knowledge Of business
| which Is one Of his strongest characteristics,
and which has been Of such great advantage
tC him In the discharge Of his duties, both as
public servant and as vice president of one
OF the largest banks in the South.
On the failure Of the firm In which he was
engaged he became an employee in the office
Oh the Clerk or the Second District Court and
there, as in his previous situation. he was UNI
firing In his application to business This place
| he held until the opening Of the war between
the States, when, though but eighteen years
OF age, he was among the first and youngest
| who enlisted In the Confederate service, who
constituted, Id tbs earlier days OF the war,
the very chivalry and flower Of the South,
and knew no end but their country's freedom,
and no path to victory save that along which
honor and glory pointed the way Young
Witt enlisted Us private. but by his soldier
Iy bearing, strict devotion to duty and his
generous and winning department he soon
won captaincy, and served In that rank
until the last sad scene of the awful drama
Returning to New Orleans with the foot
sore and ragged remnants of the Southern
armies, Capt. WITT again engaged In com
mercial life. Bot his ardent and aspiring
temper naturally yearned for political distinc-
tion; his magnetic nature readily won him a
he was recognized as the most popular man
in his section OF the city and one of the rising
men Of the day.
The correctness of this estimate Of him was
soon manifested. In 1868 Mr.. Wiltz, having
been already member Of the Parish and
State Central Committees OF the Democratic
party, was elected member OF the House Of
Representatives, and soon became working
and conspicuous member of that notorious
body Here, surrounded by men OF the most
corrupt character, subjected to unceasing
temptation; when bills for the most gigantic
schemes OF corruption and fraud were being
lobbied through the Legislature and money
was being poured out ny thousands " dollars
for votes; when the price Of an FAYE" or a
may" ranged all the way from fifty or q
hundred dollars for professional carpet
Dagger to a fortune for gentleman, this
young politician" poor Ia purse but richer
than gold In honor, served through his term
uncorrupted- without stain upon his reputar
ton AL the acts OF spoliation and fraud enact
ed by that Legislature, al Its jobs and wicked
ness are still fresh In the minds OF the people
and the vote of every member for or against
those infamies Is on record, and the vote q
t. A. WiltE is, in every instance, recorded
against them. Indeed, we defy any living
~ ~ ~ noinf ~ GinDla act at tha T,apiSlatllr