St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1919-10-04

of the most progressive and potent
factors in the modern development of
New Orleans and a decided factor in
the progress of Louisiana.
Easy to approach and always ready
to lend hearty cooperation in any
worthy or commercial enterprise. en-
joying a popularity cure place in the
J confidence of the public and the we'll
merited esteem of the whole people,
it is not difficult to account for Mar
tin Behrman's steady climb from ear
dependence and ~obscurity to a posi-
ton of security and eminence among
his fellowmen.
Martin Behrman has occupied the
mayoralty chair for a longer period
than any man on record in this city.
i He was elected first in a bitter fight
in the fall of 1904, the second time
without opposition, the third time
! without difficulty in a fight in which
the attacks on him were the features,
and for the fourth time, in November,
1916, without opposition. Truly this
is a remarkable record.
Almost a Native
Mayor Behrman is not a product Of
New Orleans, but is virtually so, for
here he was raised, here he saw those
happy days of childhood such as chill
dren only enjoy, was raised to man
hood and from the time of his arri-
val INTO the present has never been
other than citizen of New Orleans.
He was born in New York City, DC.
tober IA, 1864. He was a son of
Henry and Frederick Behrman, his
father being a mar of high political
standing and potent power in that
city at that time.
When he was a babe in arms his
parents removed to New Orleans and
thus we find the son a resident of the
Crescent City from the time he was
one year Of age until the present
not a native son, but a near one.
On Own Resources
Not long after coming to New Or
leans the father died and upon the
mother deyolyed the task of rearing
the family and CT seeing to their vel
fare. When Martin was IL years Of
age his mother died and from then on
he became a master of his own destiny
and so well has he succeeded that he
has reached the highest position in
the city of New Orleans and he is a
man Of such popularity beyond the
confines of his city and his State that
greater laurels may yet be his.
Mr.. Behrman's educational advant-
ages were limited, a matter that al
ways caused him sincere regret and
which has been a leading motive in
his remarkable work for the advance
ment and development of the public
schools of the city and his interest in
the education of all the young people,
with special care regarding those
opportunities have been restricted.
Start of Career
Prior to the death Of his mother he
secured what education he could in
the public schools Of the city, but fol-
lowing her demise, he was compelled
to make his own way in the world and
thus we find him starting to work in
a retail grocery store soon after he
had passed his twelfth birthday. Be
ing a youth with a desire to amount
something in the world and longing
to be a man who would be a potent
factor in the every day life of his
fellow citizens, he became a good
clerk and by dint of hard work and
studicus application to his duties he
attracted attention; thus at 10 years
of age We find him a travelling sales
man for the firm of Doyle & Co, and
earning the first good money of his
young life.