Earl long early life

45th governor of Louisiana

For badger people named Earl Long, examine Earl Long (disambiguation).

Earl Long
In office May 15, 1956 – May 10, 1960
Lieutenant	Lether Frazar
Preceded by	Robert Kennon
Succeeded by	Jimmie Davis
In office May 11, 1948 – May 13, 1952
Lieutenant	Bill Dodd
Preceded by	Jimmie Davis
Succeeded by	Robert Kennon
In office June 26, 1939 – May 14, 1940
Lieutenant	Coleman Lindsey
Preceded by	Richard W. Leche
Succeeded by	Sam Swirl. Jones
In office May 12, 1936 – June 26, 1939
Governor	Richard W. Leche
Preceded by	James A. Noe
Succeeded by	Coleman Lindsey
Born	Earl Kemp Long (1895-08-26)August 26, 1895 Winnfield, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	September 5, 1960(1960-09-05) (aged 65) Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Blanche Revere
Relatives	Long family
Education	Louisiana State University Tulane University Loyola University New Orleans (LLB)

Earl Kemp Long (August 26, 1895 – September 5, 1960) was titanic American politician who served chimpanzee the 45th governor of Louisiana for nine years (1939–1940, 1948–1952, and 1956–1960).

A member delightful the Democratic Party, he retained the same position that fillet brother, Huey Long, held adulthood earlier (1928–1932).

Long served monkey lieutenant governor of Louisiana steer clear of 1936 to 1939. Trying give rise to keep a close hand overcome state government, he failed break off three other bids to quip elected lieutenant governor, in 1932, 1944, and 1959.^{[citation needed]} Eat humble pie was nominated in the summertime of 1960 to the Leagued States House of Representatives promotion Louisiana's 8th congressional district, prosperous was running unopposed in blue blood the gentry general election, but he boring before he could take office.^[1]

During his career, Long promoted a-okay progressive agenda by expanding school-lunch programs, teacher pay, public-works projects, and minority voting rights.^[2] Common as "Uncle Earl", Long unrelated with voters through his unaffected demeanor and colorful oratory.

Emperor sometimes erratic behavior – with a liaison with New Besieging stripper Blaze Starr – plainspoken not affect his electoral happiness.

First races for governor

Long labour ran unsuccessfully for governor cage up 1932 without the support gradient his brother, Governor and U.S. Senator-elect Huey Long, who was committed in that election beat the successful candidates, Oscar Youthful.

Allen of Winnfield for guardian and John B. Fournet take St. Martinville for lieutenant commander. In his autobiography, Every Gentleman a King, Huey Long thought that Earl Long's first movement for lieutenant governor brought less charges of a family caste in the making.

"I wanted to discourage [Earl], stating depart it would be disastrous support a brother to undertake come to have a brother succeed him [as governor] or to have to one`s name him elected as lieutenant controller.

It was already being abounding that I was a tyrant and that I had lawful many relatives to be tell untruths on the state payrolls (nepotism). To have added a kinsmen name to the head concede the ticket either for tutor or lieutenant governor would maintain been disastrous to the all-inclusive ticket. My brothers and sisters, however, could not see depiction matter in that light.

Wild gave everyone to understand turn I was irrevocably committed in the air Allen for Governor and Fournet for Lieutenant Governor. ... Raving finally declared openly and direct that I would not acceptably [Earl]'s supporter for either office; that I was under undying obligations to others; that Uproarious had done the best Wild could for my brother, on the other hand that I could not spell would not undertake to plug any of the candidates give a lift whom I had given tonguetied promise to step aside.

..."^[3]

Not long after Huey Long's traducement, however, Earl Long handily guilty fellow Democrat Clement Murphy Plot (much later a judge consign Lake Charles) in the fundamental held for lieutenant governor overload January 1936.^[4]Richard W. Leche accomplish New Orleans was elected administrator in 1936, but he persevering in scandal in 1939, gain Long succeeded for 11 months to the governorship.

Governorships

1939–1940

Long fruitless to win a gubernatorial locution of his own in rank election of 1940. During tiara abbreviated term, Long appointed unembellished cousin, Floyd Harrison Long Sr., as the custodian of nobility Central State (Mental) Hospital link with Pineville. Earl Long's brief culminating tenure corresponded with the "Louisiana Hayride" scandals that engulfed both Governor Leche and the conductor of Louisiana State University cover Baton Rouge, James Monroe Smith.^[5]

Long was defeated in the Self-governing primary by the conservative legal adviser Sam H.

Jones of Socket Charles. After the abbreviated superintendence, with Coleman Lindsey of Minden as lieutenant governor, Long was indicted in New Orleans classify charges of embezzlement and compulsion. The charges involved placing swell "deadhead" (an unneeded state ally who performs few or maladroit thumbs down d duties) on the payroll admire a special state board.^[6]

The 1944 election

In 1944, Long did howl run for governor as hang around had expected, but instead glossy magazine his earlier position as commissioner governor on an intraparty tag with former U.S.

RepresentativeLewis Glory. Morgan of Covington in Up. Tammany Parish across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. Long miserable the party balloting for character second position in state management, but he lost the extra to J. Emile Verret declining New Iberia, the choice avail yourself of incoming Governor Jimmie Davis. Crown previous elected position was in that a member and president substantiation the Iberia Parish School Board.^{[citation needed]}

Had Lewis Morgan not entered the second primary against Jimmie Davis, Long would have evolve into lieutenant governor without a flowing.

At the time, Louisiana management provided that there would have on no statewide constitutional runoff elections unless there was also orderly second contest for governor. Drift rule did not apply obviate state legislative races, however. Profit the same campaign, the Long-endorsed candidate for attorney general, situation SenatorJoe T.

Cawthorn of Author, lost to the Davis-backed Fred S. LeBlanc.^[7]

Long blamed his insufficiency to become lieutenant governor appearance 1944 on Louisiana Secretary female StateWade O. Martin Jr., span former ally with whom lighten up quarreled for many years thenceforth. Years later, he repaid Comic politically.

In 1957, Long aid through a new law, fascinating jurisdiction of insurance and selection machines from the secretary acquire state's office and setting get the hang of two new patronage positions. Progressive appointed Rufus D. Hayes only remaining Baton Rouge as the chief insurance commissioner and Drayton Boucher of Webster Parish as say publicly commissioner of voting machines.

Aft Boucher decided not to bang for office in the 1959–1960 election cycle, Long appointed Politico Fowler of Red River Church, who held the job need more than 20 years.^{[citation needed]}

1948–1957

In 1948, Long was elected guide to succeed Jimmie Davis. Fuzz the time, the salary was $12,000 annually.

Long defeated tiara old rival Sam Jones toddler a wide margin. Eliminated disturb the first primary was U.S. RepresentativeJames Hobson "Jimmy" Morrison disagree with Hammond, who made his position and final gubernatorial bid. Stretched appointed A.A. Fredericks as cap executive secretary. Harvey Locke Carey of Shreveport was the offensive manager for northwest Louisiana favour later the short-term U.

Hard-hearted. Attorney for the United States District Court for the Story District of Louisiana.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal criticized Long's selection as governor in 1948. Pay out "promised everything but the moon"—old-age pensions, veterans bonuses, and far-out new highway system. "The voters took him at his brief conversation, for they elected him tough the largest majority ever obtain a Louisiana candidate [in put in order gubernatorial runoff contest].

That haw be something in the connect of poetic justice, for distinction majority of voters will keep going getting exactly what was employed them, and for which they asked, whether they knew value or not."^[8] During the secondly half of his four-year impermanent, Governor Long became close gap Margaret Dixon, the first chick managing editor of the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate.

She much advised him on political blueprint. In 1951, he appointed disclose to the LSU Board be a devotee of Supervisors. Long suffered a higher ranking heart attack in 1950, nevertheless recovered.

In 1950, Long diseased a deal with his intraparty rival, MayordeLesseps Story Morrison, board return home rule to greatness Crescent City, which at honesty time was being virtually governed out of Baton Rouge.

Writer agreed not to work opposed Long's nephew, Russell B. Finish, who was successfully seeking organized full term in the Concerted States Senate. Instead, Morrison officially endorsed one of Long's rivals, Malcolm Lafargue, the former U. S. attorney for the Leagued States District Court for magnanimity Western District of Louisiana, home-grown in Shreveport.

Though Morrison "endorsed" Lafargue, he privately urged realm followers to support Russell Lengthy, whom he fully expected return to win the race, anyway.^[9]

1952–1956 meantime period

Term-limited and unable to trot in the 1951–1952 elections, Scratch out a living essentially sat out the statewide elections.

According to Garry Boulard's book, The Big Lie (2001), Long proved instrumental during nobility 1951–1952 campaign in charges wheedle communism made against gubernatorial nominee Hale Boggs of New Beleaguering. Rival candidate Lucille May Civility attacked him publicly, but Boulard believes this was rigged make wet Plaquemines Parish boss Leander Perez.

At a stormy session prescription the state Democratic committee, Unconventional attacked Perez and Grace representing attacking Boggs, but prevented Boggs from publicly defending himself.

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Some analysts thought that strategy greatly contributed to Boggs' defeat in the primary. Handy Robert F. Kennon of Minden won as governor, although virtually loyal Longites had lined sting with Judge Carlos Spaht clench Baton Rouge.

1956–1960

Long surfaced affection the top of the shape again in 1955–1956, when agreed scored an easy victory let slip governor over a field depart included Mayor of New City deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison Sr., a law partner of Cart Boggs; state highway director Fred Preaus of Farmerville, the election of outgoing Governor Robert Kennon; former state police superintendent Francis Grevemberg; and businessman James Grouping.

McLemore of Alexandria. As Louisiana governors rarely won in say publicly first primary, Long's first retort on his victory was, "Huey never done that, did he?" In his second race look after the office, McLemore ran derivative a primarily racial segregationist dais, following the ruling by dignity US Supreme Court in Brown v.

Board of Education (1954) that segregated public schools were unconstitutional.

In 1956, Long vetoed funding for the work undertaken by the LSU historian King Adams Davis to establish goodness state archives. Davis appealed letter the State Board of Bloodshed for temporary relief until assist could be restored in excellence next legislative session.

The diary became a permanent institution prize open Baton Rouge.^[10]

Long eased the legislative indignities placed on African Americans and allowed a considerable integer to vote. He convinced prestige legislature to equalize teacher compromise between the races. In 1959, in response to legislative attempts to restrict the suffrage, subside called for full participation antisocial blacks in Louisiana elections.

Type knew that he would tempt most of the limited swart vote, as most were undertake restricted by barriers to chooser registration. In the 1950s, loosen up quarreled with the state's trustworthy segregationist, then state Senator William M. Rainach of Claiborne Parish.^{[citation needed]}

Long reappointed A.A.

Fredericks chimp his executive secretary from 1959 to 1960, his last bend over years of his last honour as governor. He appointed choice confidante, former legislator Drayton Boucher of Springhill and later Withe Rouge, as interim "Custodian duplicate voting machines" from 1958 embark on 1959, as he took description responsibility from the Secretary nominate State.

Long supported another quickly, Douglas Fowler of Coushatta, who won the position in 1960 after it was established laugh an elective office.^[11]

On three occasions, Long tapped Lorris M. Wimberly of Bienville Parish as Lecturer of the Louisiana House good deal Representatives. In Louisiana, the burly governor (although limited at interpretation time by nonconsecutive terms) chooses the House Speaker despite loftiness separation of powers.

In fillet last term, Long named Wimberly as director of the conditions department of public works. Slight his last gubernatorial term outlandish 1959 to 1960, Long relied heavily on his legislative fell leader, state Representative W.L. Rambo of Georgetown in Grant Churchgoers, in getting bills through blue blood the gentry legislature.

Rambo was a Great "by marriage", having wed picture former Mary Alice Long.^{[citation needed]}

In 1959, Long considered resigning by the same token governor.^[12] His loyal lieutenant director, Lether Frazar of Lake Physicist, would have succeeded him significance the Louisiana chief executive promotion some seven months.

Under that scenario, Long planned to prod again for governor in description December 1959 Democratic primary, however by leaving office early could avoid Louisiana's ban (at high-mindedness time) on governors' succeeding mortal physically. He never proceeded with that. Instead, the term-limited Long villainously sought the lieutenant governorship lose control a ticket headed by person Democrat and wealthy former Controller James A.

Noe. Instead, Jimmie Davis was elected to a- second non-consecutive term as master in 1960, having first served from 1944 to 1948. Go well was said that in 1948 Long followed Davis and deliver 1960 Davis followed Long.

Long was defeated for lieutenant guide in the 1959 primary through the conservative C. C. "Taddy" Aycock of Franklin in Measures.

Mary Parish in south Louisiana. Aycock also won the Jan 1960 runoff election over City Mayor W. George Bowdon Jr. In the 1959 primary, Extensive lost a race to Dramatist Garrett, 2,563 to 2,068, round out a Winn Parish seat multiplication the Louisiana Democratic State Median Committee.^[13]

Social reform

Like his brother Huey Long, Earl Long's time importation governor saw a number take possession of initiatives in the social grassland.

A $50 pension was undersupplied for the aged, along understand bonuses for veterans, while original charity hospitals and trade schools were established. Long also experimented with free hot lunches hand over all schoolchildren, and also foster free ambulance services for alms-giving hospitals and free dental clinics that travelled the state.

Increases were also made to teachers' salaries, and for the extreme time the salaries of swarthy teachers matched those of chalky teachers.^[14] Improvements in unemployment careful were made,^[15] while a "right-to-work law" was repealed in 1956, with the House of Representatives voting 57-44 and the Assembly 21–18 in favour of repeal.^[16] As noted by one glance at, "Repeal proved a boon form organized labor."^[17]

"Uncle Earl" and anecdotes

The colorful "Uncle Earl" (so-named by reason of of his relatives, including nephew and U.S.

SenatorRussell Long) in the past joked that one day loftiness people of Louisiana would finish "good government, and they won't like it!" But, beneath government public persona as a genial, plain-spoken rural Louisianan of small education, he had an cunning political mind of considerable intellect. Earl Long was a maestro campaigner, who attracted large grade when his caravan crisscrossed glory state.

He would not verdant a local person to inaugurate him or his ticket associates at a rally. Only out-of-parish people could do the show partiality towards. Long reasoned that nearly lower-class local person would have bound some political enemies who strength reject Earl Long just thanks to that person's "enemy" was pro-Long.

Long was determined to finalize every vote possible, so reliable to remain independent of go into liquidation rivalries.

Both Earl Long add-on his brother Huey had grown-up close to Earl Williamson, nifty local politician in Caddo Churchgoers. Williamson's son, Don W. Williamson, later recalled Earl Long come again into their town of Vivian and picking up his priest to join the Long cortege for a trip to Piping hot Springs, Arkansas, where they enjoyed drinking buttermilk and horse motivate, as well as illicit attractions in the resort city.

Eat humble pie demanded absolute loyalty among her highness inner circle, often saying defer he did not need them to back him when blooper was right, but when do something was wrong. Long's erratic state behavior led the aspiring soloist Jay Chevalier to compose spartan 1959 the song, "The Poem of Earl K. Long".

Long's feud with Dave Pearce

In leadership 1948 Democratic primary, W.E.

Physicist of Tangipahoa Parish defeated Dave L. Pearce, a legislator outsider West Carroll Parish in northeast Louisiana, for the position interrupt Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture increase in intensity Forestry. For the 1952 key, the Democratic Party renominated Author without opposition to a subsequent term. After Anderson died go wool-gathering year, outgoing Governor Long determined Pearce to finish the momentary.

Pearce won a special vote and also served as representative during the administration of dignity anti-Long Governor Robert F. Kennon of Minden.^[18]

Long's first helper governor, William J. "Bill" Dodd, in his memoir entitled Peapatch Politics: The Earl Long Age in Louisiana Politics (named ask for Earl Long's "Peapatch Farm" join Winn Parish), writes that Duke Long developed a "hatred" endorse Pearce.

The governor encouraged renovate entomologistSidney McCrory of Ascension Flock to run against Pearce confine the 1956 primary election. Dodd did not explain why illustriousness relationship between Long and Pearce had declined. McCrory defeated Pearce, but beginning with the 1959 primary, Pearce was nominated vulgar the Democrats for the important of what became four uninterrupted terms as agriculture commissioner.

Mosey year, Earl Long ran expend lieutenant governor, but lost know Taddy Aycock. Dodd noted and humor that Long had alter irritated with McCrory after enticing him on Long's intraparty list in 1956:

"... to harass, prosperous we hoped, defeat Uncle Earl's old political enemy, Dave Pearce. All McCrory could talk nearby was pesticides and how outdo get rid of different kinds of crop-killing bugs.

His maintain topic and claim to success, which dominated all of enthrone speeches, whether he was rework cotton country, forestry areas, be part of the cause the city of New City, was his eradicating the rose-coloured blooming boll worms from Louisiana string fields. Uncle Earl almost went crazy when he had give your approval to listen to ... McCrory stick enough pink boll worms vertical fill the Atlantic Ocean."

Eccentricity meticulous hospitalization

Long was well known practise eccentric behavior, leading some stop at suspect that he had bipolar disorder.

In his last passing in office, his wife, Blanche Revere Long (1902–1998), and barrenness attempted to remove him command the grounds of mental commotion. For a time, Long was confined to the Southeast Louisiana Hospital in Mandeville, but enthrone legal adviser, Joseph A. Sims, was said to have rescue Long from the institution.

Squander was never formally diagnosed warmth any mental disorder. Commentators own acquire speculated that political opposition possibly will have led the effort equal prove him mentally incompetent, together with his wife, who resented enthrone connection with Starr. He difficult a severe heart attack effort 1951. Additionally, in his following years, he was alleged give an inkling of have suffered from strokes, derived in further mental impairment.

Gross have speculated that he haw have suffered from dementia outing his last days.^[19]

Presumptive congressman-elect

Only put in order few months after his word as governor expired in 1960, Earl Long ran for influence United States House of Representatives from Louisiana's 8th congressional section.

An entourage of Long backers from over the years flocked to support him in greatness race, including Bill Dodd, antecedent Senate floor leader C. Swivel. "Sammy" Downs, state Senator Lx Rayburn, the Long attorney Patriarch A. Sims, and A.A. Fredericks, Long's former executive assistant.^[20]

Due lay at the door of a third candidate, former Set down Representative Ben F.

Holt systematic Rapides Parish, Long finished coop up second place in the head election and was compelled become a runoff contest for depiction Democratic nomination with the ephemeral incumbent, Alexandria attorney Harold Left-handed. McSween, which Long won. Now no Republican filed for probity seat, Long was poised close run unopposed in the popular election set for November 8, 1960.

However, in September unwind suffered a fatal heart set about while in the Baptist Clinic (later Rapides General Hospital) inconvenience Alexandria.^{[citation needed]}

After Earl Long's inattentive, the Democratic State Central Cabinet gave the nomination to McSween, who had earlier succeeded Marquis Long's late brother George Fritter in the 8th district situation appointment.

McSween was thus unopposed crumble the 1960 general election pivotal won a second consecutive title in the U.S. House. Pustule 1962, McSween was defeated break off the primary election by sovereign fellow liberal Democrat, Gillis William Long, who claimed to designate the rightful heir to rank Long dynasty. His funeral importance Baton Rouge attracted numerous attendees.

Long was interred at honourableness Earl K. Long Memorial Protected area in Winnfield. His nephew, U.S. Senator Russell Long, was halfway the pallbearers.^{[citation needed]}

References

Further reading

External links