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

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! Council, a position he filed with con-
spicuous energy and fidelity.
Became State Auditor
Subsequent Mr.. Behrman was APP
pointed deputy assessor of the Fifth
District, following which the deputy
was advanced to the position Of as
SCISSOR for the district. This situation
was filled in a like satisfactory nan
ner, and the assessor next became
president of the Board of Assessor
for a term of two years.
In 1904 when the first statewide
primary was held, Mr.. Behrman was
elected State auditor. He achieved
great popularity as a campaigner in
that campaign, in which Newton G.
Blanchard and General Leon Jastrem-
ski were candidates for governor.
Soon after mis- ~incumbency in the
position of auditor, in which he made
a good record by ~uncovering dishon-
esty in several parishes, the city
fight for mayor in New Orleans de-
veloped, and as there was difficulty in
securing a candidate for the regular
organization to succeed Mayor Capde-
vielle, Mr.. Behrman came out as the
candidate. He was bitterly fought, the
late Charles F. Buck being the oppos.
/ $40 aodsJo4n hy,+ Mr. Dahrpaoo MO
elected by a large majority and has
had NO real serious opposition for re-
election since.
He was reelected mayor to succeed
himself in 1908, 1912, and 1916.
In Other Offices
Mr.. Behrman was a member of the
School Board from 1892 to 1895 inclu-
sive, and for eight years was chair
man Of the Democratic Congressional
Committee for the First Congressional
District of Louisiana. He was a mem
Der of the Constitutional Convention
Of 1898 when the public Improvements
were started which have been carried
to such perfection under his admin
istration. He also served as a dele
gate-at-large from Louisiana to the
Democratic National Convention of
1908 and 1912, being chairman of his
State delegation in 1908.
AS the city's chief executive, Mr..
Behrman has had many difficult prob
lens to handle, among the most i'm
portant being the task of securing
funds to provide for the subsnrface
drainage, build schools and engine
houses, pave streets, establish play
grounds and improve parks, all of
which have been done with remark
able success. Mayor Behrman has
had serious opposition to face in many
of these matters, but has been sup
ported by a large majority of the peo-
pie whenever it came to a point where
there was a vote of the people.
Worked For City
Mayor Behrman was the leader in
the strenuous campaign a few years
ago to secure recognition from the
United States Government to cele-
brate the opening of the Panama Ca
nal by the holding of a great interna-
tional exposition at New Orleans.
Mr.. Behrman travelled over the
country in the interest of New Or
leans and the fight that was being
made and frequently he went to Wash
ington with special committees, max
ing the fight for this city and with
the Louisiana delegation.
Though New Orleans was not sue
cessful in her efforts, the mayor and
those connected with him in the won
derful exposition fight, secured for the
city some valuable publicity which has
snce resulted in beneficial adyertis-
ing Of the city as a great seaport, a
growing financial and commercial
center and the principal point on con-
nection of the great farming and agr.
icultural interests contiguous to the
city.
The mayor takes a deep personal
interest in the commercial develop
ment of New Orleans. He joined the
Merchants and Manufacturers Blu
reaa some years ago and annually
makes the week trade trip success
fully conducted by the management
CT that organization. The mayor is
also a member of the Association of
Commerce and has been active in as
sisting that body in its Efforts to in
duce newcomers in the industrial and
manufacturing field. He has been ac-
tive in the efforts to secure the i'm
proyements of the Mississippi River.
Has Met Big Men
Acting in his capacity as mayor of
New Orleans. Mr. Behrman has well
! coined to the city many big men and
high public officials, among them be-
ing Theodore Roosevelt and William
Howard Taft, both of whom came
South in their respective terms as
presidents of the United States.
The mayor is the head of the Sew
erage and Water Board and the Pub
lie Belt Railroad. He threw up the
first spade of earth for the Public Belt
and has been its champion and pro-
moter from the very first against