Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-07-17
JUDGE R. ]. WILSON, CANDIDATE FOR
CONGRESS.

Congress from this (the Fifth
District, with Judge d. N.
Thompson as Chairman and
Sheriff F. o. Ellis, Secretary |;
the following introductory state
ment was issued to the public:
Riley J. Wilson is a native OF
Louisiana and Of our neighborine
parish of Vim.
Thrown upon his own resources
from childhood, with no means ex-
cept his own energy and determi-
nation, he has had to fight his own
battles through life and is in the
full and true sense of the term a
self-made man, a fair example Of
what the country boy with pluck
and energy may do and has in so
many instances actually done.
After having worked and paid his
way through college, he engaged in
teaching school, during which time
he engaged in the study of law, first
under the late Sydney Gilbert at
Columbia and later under Judge d.
N. Thompson at Harrisonburg and
was admitted to the bar by the Su-
preme Court in 1898.
Upon leaving the school room in
1897, Mr.. Wilson entered the field
OF journalism, becoming joint owner
and editor of The Catahoula News.
which work he'continued for some
time after beginning the practice of
law.
Coincident with this he entered
the field of politics, and was elected
to the Constitutional Convention of
1898. In the convention, although
one OF the youngest of its members,
he took leading part in matters
pertaining to public education and
was strong advocate of the suffrage
provisions now a part of the Consti.
tuition, which eliminated the negro
from politics in Louisiana and placed
the affairs Of the State forever in the
control Of her white people.
His course in the Convention was
Endorsed by the people of his par
ish by his election to the Legisla-
ture in 1900 to 1904.
In the fall of 1904, he was elect.
ed district attorney and reelected
in 1908.
As district attorney Mr.. Wilson
was an active and aggressive pros
ecutor, regardless of the individual
or the crime. The work of the
court in his judicial district in the
past several years is a matter of
history with our people: crime has
been checked and the court dockets
kept practically clear, with the re-
suit that the criminal courts are
costing the taxpayers less than one
fourth of what they formerly did.
He has been twice elected Judge
Of the Eighth District Court.
AS judge all admit that it is a
continuance of the same good official
record, executed with the same fair
ness and unquestioned ability.
As public official Judge Wilson
is always prompt and faithful in
answering every demand. His bear
ing is the same toward all classes of
the people, just as easily approached
by the humblest citizen as the most
exalted, and all receive the same
courteous consideration and treat
ment.
In placing his name before the
people Of the Fifth Congressional
District as q candidate for the Dem
ocratic Nomination as Representa-
tive in Congress, we are glad to say
to the public, that:
We endorse him as a man, en-
titled to your fullest confidence; as
a public-spirited and progressive cit
izen, standing for and working for
all that is highest and best in our
civilization. We heartily endorse
him as a Democrat upon whom the
District may depend to keep the
Democratic faith and to advocate
and work for the principles and
platform Of the Party at Washing
ton just as he may ask for election |
upon them in Louisiana.
While we shall regret to lose his |
services at home, we feel that he de.
nerves the promotion; that he can
render greater service in a larger
ieid OF activity and that it will be |
% the best interest of the District |
o send him to Congress. !