The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-04-20
President Roosevelt again Conlpli-
meRts Louisiana.

President Roosevelt Again COmp1l-
meHts Louisiana.
The gratifying news comes from
Washington that President Roosevelt
has rendered to Pearl Wight, one of
the best known and most highly es-
teemed citizens of New Orleans, the
position of commissioner of internal
revenue about to become vacant by
the resignation of Commissioners John
w. Yerkes of Kentucky, who retires
from official life to resume the practice
of law. 1t is not known at this writing
whether Mr.. Wight will accept the ap-
pointment, in view of the extensive
and varied business enterprises with
which he is identified in New Orleans
and the sacrifice of his individual in
terests that might be involved in a
change of residence from that city to
the national capital; but many OF his
closest personal and political friends
are earnestly solicitous for an &C
ceptance because they believe the
change would be beneficial to his
health and prove of great advantage
to the Republican party, especially in
Louisiana and the other southern
states.
Mr.. Wight has been a Republican
ever since he became old enough to
understand the issues and principles
dividing the two great politica parties
Of the country, and he is presently the
Louisiana member of the national Re-
publican committee. He is at the head
of the firm of Woodward, Wight &
Co., Ltd, one of the largest ship
chandlery concerns in the country; is
vice president of the Whitney National
Bank, president of the Southern States
Land and Timber Company and of the
New Orleans Dry Dock and Ship
Building Company, and is interested
in many other commercial and finau-
cial enterprises. He was for many
years consul of Sweden and Norway
at New Orleans, and when the recent
separa alton of the joint government of
those two countries took place he was
delegated to act as consul of Sweden.
Personally MIR. Wight is one of the
most attractive of men, warm-hearted
and genial, just and generous to all,
and none who make his acquaintance
can resist the charm of his candid,
friendly and courteous nature. That
his political opinions and affiliations
have not affected the general recogni-
ton of his exalted character and the
purity of his motives even among his
fellow citizens of opposing political
views is amply shown by the following
editorial expression from the New Or
leans Times-Democrat, Louisiana's
leading Democratic newspaper:
It is announced from Washington that Presi-
dent Roosevelt has rendered the position OF
commissioner of internal revenue to Mr.. Pearl
Wight of this city, vice John W. Yerkes, re-
signed; and it is reported that Mr.. Wight may
accept. Mr.. Wight is a member of the Re-
publican national committee from Louisiana,
but, although frequently consulted in politics,
has not been disposed heretofore to accept
political Office.
The news of the appointment will be heard
with satisfaction in New Orleans, where no
man is better known or more highly esteemed
by all than Mr.. Wight. He has been one of the
most active and aggressive business men of this
city, has always taken leading part in affairs
of interest to New Orleans and has given his
time, attention and money to every important
work or enterprise that would benefit this city.
That man of his type, practical and business
like, with great power of detail. would make
good commissioner of internal revenue goes
without saying.
But while his friends and those who know
him in New Orleans will welcome his appoint
ment as an honor to which he is fully entitled,
they will none the less entertain the hope that
he will still continue here, where he has been
active in public affairs in the past and where
he can do still more good work in the future.
The Chief is among the friends OF
Mr.. Wight who trust that he will be
able to reach the conclusion that he
can afford to accept the important
position that has been offered him,
but whether he does or not, the fact of
its tender is an honor of which he is
eminently deserving, and it demon
strates anew the regard which Presi-
dent Roosevelt has for Louisiana.
There is eager rivalry for this Office
among several OF the states to which
the president and his party are under
obligation for political friendship and
support, and that Mr.. Roosevelt
should under such circumstances ex-
press desire to appoint a citizen of
hide bound Democratic state like
ours is a compliment and an indica-
ton of goodwill that should be highly
appreciated by the people of Louisi-
ana reg ardless of political affiliations
and differences. President Roosevelt
recently appointed Hon. John Nc
Ilhenny of New Iberia, a Democratic
state sen ator, to be member of the
civil service commission, and now he
offers the Internal revenue commits
sionership to foremost Republican
citizen of New Orleans. It has been
many years since Louisiana was so
honored by any president of the Uni
ted States.