Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-08
SENATOR WHITES SUCCESSOR.
Representative Blanchard Sent TO the
Upper House.

Congressman Blanchard has been appoint
ed United States Senator from Louisiana to
succeed Judge White, whose resignation
takes effect March II.
Newton Grain Blanchard was born in
Rapides parish Louisiana, January %. 1S49.
After receiving an academic education he
commenced the study of law at Alexandria,
In 1868, and in 1869 entered the law depart
ment of the University of Louisiana. He
was admitted to the bar in 1870, and the
same year moved to Shreveport. where he
has since continued to reside. Here he be-
gan the practice of his profession, forming
a partnership with James Ashton. He
soon became prominent in politics. and was
selected when only twenty-seven years old
as chairman of the democratic executive
committee of Caddo parish. In 1879 he was
elected to represent Caddo parish in the
constitutional convention, which framed the
present constitution OF the state. In the
fall of the following year he was nominated
for Congress by the district convention at
NatchltocheS, and was elected by a hand
some majority. In 1SS2 he was reelected
and has been returned to every Congress
since without serious opposition. In 1888
when Senator White succeeded Mr.. Eustis
In the Senate, Congressman Blanchard was
candidate for the position.
As chairman of the committee on rivers
and harbors he has achieved distinction in
lis management Of the river and harbor
legislation OF Congress. 1t was under his
advice and suggestion that the old system
of making small annual appropriations for
the improvement OF rivers and harborS,
which were soon expended and the results
partially destroyed before another appro-
priation was made, was changed to the new
system of awarding contracts for the COM
pletion OF necessary improvements. Under
this new system, adopted by Mr.. Blanchard.
the government really saves money and
achieves practical results. Instead of APP
propriating few thousand dollars every
year for the Improvement of a river or har-
Dor, the committee under his management
contracts for the completion of desired i'm
provements, to be paid for as the work is
done.
Mr.. Blanchard has the reputation of being
the most skillful marksman in the House
He is great sportsman, and has the record
OF having brought down twenty-five quail
in twentythree shots. With pistol he Is
even more expert than with the shotgun
Occasionally he drops into one of the Local
shooting galleries, and. with a pistol, can
hit the bull s-eye of the target almost every
| time. He will toss coin in the air and
bore 1t with a bullet two out of three times
Once he was challenged to duel by d
political adversary in Louisiana. He &C
| cepted it with such CELEBRITY that the chal
| lenger was amazed. Within an hour he ha6
! heard of Mr.. Blanchards skill with the PTS
| tol, and decided to withdraw his challenge.
What senator Gallery Says.
Speaking of the appointment of Mr.
| Blanchard Senator Caffery said last even
| ing:
| MIR. Blanchard is a man of character and
attachments and the governor of Louis1ns
has perhaps done the wisest thing thai
! could be done. Mr.. Blanchard's record In
the House has been that of an honest, earn
est and Industrious representative, and II,
has exhibited much ability as chairman OF
! the committee on rivers and harbors. 1
may reasonably be expected that he vii
| carry with him into the Senate the sam,
| industry, ability and character.
| Mr.. Blanchard is young man of fail
name. He has a large constituency behinC
him who expect great things of him. What
ever may be his attitude on public ques
| tons, II will be at least honest and sin
| cere."