In 1872 , at the state Republican Party convention , Lewis was nominated for Congress and made chairman of the Louisiana delegation to the 1872 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia . When he returned to New Orleans , party divisions threatened unity . Lewis declined his congressional nomination in favor of P. B. S. Pinchback . He campaigned for William P. Kellogg for governor and was nominated and elected as administrator of public improvements in New Orleans . His opponents in that race were former Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard and Major E. A. Burke . Lewis was well appreciated as a civil servant and noted for his economic efficiency
1872 Republican National Convention
1872 Republican National Convention
James Lewis (Louisiana politician)