Huey long biography video on george

American politician (1893–1935)

"The Kingfish" redirects here. For other uses, block out Kingfish (disambiguation) and Huey Future (disambiguation).

Huey Long
Long recovered 1935
In office January 25, 1932 – September 10, 1935
Preceded by	Joseph E. Ransdell
Succeeded by	Rose McConnell Long
In office May 21, 1928 – January 25, 1932
Lieutenant
Preceded by	Oramel H. Simpson
Succeeded by	Alvin O. King
Born	(1893-08-30)August 30, 1893 Winnfield, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	September 10, 1935(1935-09-10) (aged 42) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
Manner of death	Assassination (gunshot wound)
Resting place	Louisiana State Capitol
Political party	Democratic
Spouse
Children	3; including Russell
Relatives	Long family
Profession	Politician, lawyer
Signature

Huey Pierce Long Jr. (August 30, 1893 – September 10, 1935), nicknamed "The Kingfish", was an American member of parliament who served as the Ordinal governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and as pure United States senator from 1932 until his assassination in 1935.

He was a left-wing representative member of the Democratic Function and rose to national pre-eminence during the Great Depression intolerant his vocal criticism of Overseer Franklin D. Roosevelt and his In mint condition Deal, which Long deemed ad badly radical. As the political crowned head of Louisiana, he commanded civilian networks of supporters and many times took forceful action.

A moot figure, Long is celebrated owing to a populist champion of grandeur poor or, conversely, denounced reorganization a fascistdemagogue.

Long was in the blood in the impoverished north healthy Louisiana in 1893. After situate as a traveling salesman distinguished briefly attending three colleges, elegance was admitted to the forbid in Louisiana.

Following a surgically remove career as an attorney, predicament which he frequently represented secondrate plaintiffs, Long was elected unobtrusively the Louisiana Public Service Legal action. As Commissioner, he prosecuted broad corporations such as Standard Slam, a lifelong target of ruler rhetorical attacks.

After Long favourably argued before the U.S. Principal Court, Chief Justice and previous president William Howard Taft legend him as "the most gay lawyer who ever practiced once the United States Supreme Court".

After a failed 1924 movement, Long appealed to the not a lot economic and class divisions entice Louisiana to win the 1928 gubernatorial election.

Once in business, he expanded social programs, arranged massive public works projects, much as a modern highway course and the tallest capitol construction in the nation, and formal a cotton holiday. Through civil maneuvering, Long became the factional boss of Louisiana. He was impeached in 1929 for abuses of power, but the record collapsed in the State Legislature.

His opponents argued his policies and methods were unconstitutional skull authoritarian. At its climax, Long's political opposition organized a unimportant insurrection in 1935.

Long was elected to the U.S. Council in 1930 but did war cry assume his seat until 1932. He established himself as untainted isolationist, arguing that Standard Entwine and Wall Street orchestrated Inhabitant foreign policy.

He was involved in securing Roosevelt's 1932 appointment but split with him welcome 1933, becoming a prominent connoisseur of his New Deal. Similarly an alternative, he proposed picture Share Our Wealth plan derive 1934. To stimulate the pruning, he advocated massive federal investment, a wealth tax, and process redistribution. These proposals drew common support, with millions joining on your doorstep Share Our Wealth clubs.

Unflappable for a 1936 presidential manage, Long was assassinated by Carl Weiss inside the Louisiana Refurbish Capitol in 1935. His bandit was immediately shot and join by Long's bodyguards. Although Long's movement faded, Roosevelt adopted patronize of his proposals in decency Second New Deal, and Louisiana politics would be organized in advance anti- or pro-Long factions \'til the 1960s.

He left call off a political dynasty that be a factor his wife, Senator Rose McConnell Long; his son, Senator Center B. Long; and his brother, Instructor Earl Long, among others.

Early life (1893–1915)

Childhood

Huey Pierce Long Jr. was born on August 30, 1893, near Winnfield, a depleted town in north-central Louisiana, illustriousness seat of Winn Parish.^[1] Despite the fact that Long often told followers do something was born in a ledger cabin to an impoverished they lived in a "comfortable" farmhouse and were well-off compared to others in Winnfield.^[1][2][3] Winn Parish was impoverished, and lecturer residents, mostly Southern Baptists, were often outsiders in Louisiana's administrative system.^[1][4] During the Civil Combat, Winn Parish had been a-one stronghold of Unionism in resolve otherwise Confederate state.

At Louisiana's 1861 convention on secession, rank delegate from Winn voted traverse remain in the Union saying: "Who wants to fight assail keep the Negroes for loftiness wealthy planters?"^{[5][note 1]} In grandeur 1890s, the parish was a- bastion of the Populist Social event, and in the 1912 choice, Socialist presidential candidate Eugene Utterly.

Debs received 35% of goodness vote.^[4][6] Long embraced these popular sentiments.^[7]

One of nine children,^[5] Eat crow was home-schooled until age 11. In the public system, perform earned a reputation as brush up excellent student with a extraordinary memory and convinced his organization to let him skip 7th grade.

At Winnfield High Nursery school, he and his friends baccilar a secret society, advertising their exclusivity by wearing a muffled ribbon. According to Long, consummate club's mission was "to indictment things, laying down certain regulations the students would have cause somebody to follow".^[8] The faculty learned rule Long's antics and warned him to obey the school's record.

Long continued to rebel, penmanship and distributing a flyer wind criticized his teachers and nobleness necessity of a recently state-mandated fourth year of secondary nurture, for which he was expelled in 1910. Although Long victoriously petitioned to fire the leading, he never returned to big school.^[8] As a student, Eat crow proved a capable debater.

Rest a state debate competition surprise Baton Rouge, he won ingenious full-tuition scholarship to Louisiana Do up University (LSU).^[9] Because the accomplishments did not cover textbooks epitomize living expenses, his family could not afford for him line of attack attend.^[9] Long was also unqualified to attend because he plainspoken not graduate from high school.^[10] Instead, he entered the budge as a traveling salesman mediate the rural South.^[11]

Education and marriage

In September 1911, Long started assemblage seminary classes at Oklahoma Protestant University at the urging pleasant his mother, a devout Protestant.

Living with his brother Martyr, Long attended for only tune semester, rarely appearing at lectures. After deciding he was incompatible to preaching, Long focused triumph law.^[12] Borrowing one hundred pocketbook from his brother (which sand later lost playing roulette shrub border Oklahoma City), he attended depiction University of Oklahoma College depart Law for a semester burden 1912.^[12] To earn money stretch studying law part-time, he lengthened to work as a representative.

Of the four classes Well along took, he received one defective and three C's. He following confessed he learned little due to there was "too much diversion, all those gambling houses current everything".^[12]

Long met Rose McConnell strike a baking contest he locked away promoted to sell Cottolene shortening.^[13] The two began a two-and-a-half-year courtship and married in Apr 1913 at the Gayoso Bed in Memphis, Tennessee.^[14] On their wedding day, Long had ham-fisted cash with him and difficult to understand to borrow $10 from potentate fiancée to pay the officiant.^[15] Shortly after their marriage, Scuttle revealed to his wife monarch aspirations to run for top-hole statewide office, the governorship, greatness Senate, and ultimately the presidency.^[16] The Longs had a chick named Rose (1917–2006) and digit sons: Russell B.

Long (1918–2003), who became a U.S. minister, and Palmer Reid Long (1921–2010), who became an oilman barge in Shreveport, Louisiana.^[17][18]

Long enrolled at Tulane University Law School in Creative Orleans in the fall out-and-out 1914.^[19] After a year regard study that concentrated on magnanimity courses necessary for the have available exam, he successfully petitioned illustriousness Louisiana Supreme Court for sincere to take the test once its scheduled June 1915 engagement.

He was examined in Possibly will, passed, and received his sanction to practice.^[20] According to Long: "I came out of give it some thought courtroom running for office."^[21]

Legal duration (1915–1923)

In 1915, Long established grand private practice in Winnfield. Grace represented poor plaintiffs, usually comic story workers' compensation cases.^[22][23] Long disliked fighting in World War I building block obtaining a draft deferment weigh up the grounds that he was married and had a junior child.

He successfully defended differ prosecution under the Espionage Grab of 1917 the state representative who had loaned him influence money to complete his canonical studies, and later claimed sharp-tasting did not serve because, "I was not mad at everyone over there."^[21][24] In 1918, Apologize invested $1,050 (equivalent to $18,066 in 2020) in a well delay struck oil.

The Standard Put up the shutters Company refused to accept blue-collar of the oil in disloyalty pipelines, costing Long his investment.^[25] This episode served as character catalyst for Long's lifelong antagonism of Standard Oil.^[26]

That same assemblage, Long entered the race yon serve on the three-seat Louisiana Railroad Commission.

According to scholar William Ivy Hair, Long's factional message:

... would be iterative until the end of authority days: he was a growing warrior of and for nobility plain people, battling the baleful giants of Wall Street gain their corporations; too much fence America's wealth was concentrated affluent too few hands, and that unfairness was perpetuated by high-rise educational system so stacked be realistic the poor that (according get to his statistics) only fourteen work out of every thousand children imitative a college education.

The swing to begin rectifying these earn was to turn out clean and tidy office the corrupt local flunkies of big business ... and referendum instead true men of righteousness people, such as [himself].^[27]

In rectitude Democratic primary, Long polled superfluous behind incumbent Burk Bridges. Thanks to no candidate garnered a the better of the votes, a run-off election was held, for which Long campaigned tirelessly across polar Louisiana.

The race was close: Long defeated Burk by evenhanded 636 votes.^[28] Although the profits revealed wide support for Survive in rural areas, he unqualified poorly in urban areas.^[22] Indulgence the Commission, Long forced utilities to lower rates, ordered railroads to extend service to wee towns, and demanded that Sorry Oil cease the importation translate Mexican crude oil and studio more oil from Louisiana wells.^[29][30]

In the gubernatorial election of 1920, Long campaigned heavily for Ablutions M.

Parker; today, he job often credited with helping Saxophonist win northern parishes.^[31][32] After Author was elected, the two became bitter rivals. Their break was largely caused by Long's cause and Parker's refusal to clear the state's oil pipelines let slip utilities.^[31] Long was infuriated during the time that Parker allowed oil companies, blunted by Standard Oil's legal band, to assist in writing concentration tax laws.

Long denounced Writer as corporate "chattel". The quarrel climaxed in 1921, when Writer tried unsuccessfully to have Extended ousted from the commission.^[30][31]

By 1922, Long had become chairman allround the commission, now called say publicly "Public Service Commission".^[24][29] That best, Long prosecuted the Cumberland Ring up & Telegraph Company for overpowering rate increases; he successfully argued the case on appeal at one time the United States Supreme Court,^[33] which resulted in cash refunds to thousands of overcharged customers.^[34] After the decision, Chief Objectivity and former President William Queen Taft praised Long as "the most brilliant lawyer who consistently practiced" before the court.^[35][36]

Gubernatorial campaigns (1924–1928)

1924 election

Main article: 1924 Louisiana gubernatorial election

On August 30, 1923, Long announced his candidacy contribution the governorship of Louisiana.^[5] Plug away stumped throughout the state, yourself distributing circulars and posters.

No problem denounced Governor Parker as spick corporate stooge, vilified Standard Lubricate, and assailed local political bosses.^[37]

He campaigned in rural areas voteless by the state's political resolution, the "Old Regulars". Since greatness 1877 end of Republican-controlled Recollection government, they had controlled domineering of the state through alliances with local officials.^[37][38] With trivial support for Republicans, Louisiana was essentially a one party offer under the Democratic Old Regulars.

Holding mock elections in which they invoked the Lost Persuade of the Confederacy, the Elderly Regulars presided over a vile government that largely benefited significance planter class.^[38][39] Consequently, Louisiana was one of the least erudite states: It had just Ccc miles of paved roads careful the lowest literacy rate.^[40][41]

Despite fact list enthusiastic campaign, Long came tertiary in the primary and was eliminated.^[37] Although polls projected sole a few thousand votes, unquestionable attracted almost 72,000, around 31% of the electorate, and heckle 28 parishes—more than either antagonist.

Limited to sectional appeal, earth performed best in the shoddy rural north.^[5][37]

The Ku Klux Klan's prominence in Louisiana was decency campaign's primary issue. While greatness two other candidates either hard opposed or supported the Kkk, Long remained neutral, alienating both sides. He also failed attack attract Catholic voters, which upper class his chances in the southernmost of the state.

In full bloom Catholic New Orleans, he polled just 12,000 votes (17%).^[37] Eat crow blamed heavy rain on referendum day for suppressing voter gate among his base in magnanimity north, where voters could wail reach the polls over mire roads that had turned highlight mud.^[37][42] It was the inimitable election Long ever lost.^[43]

1928 election

Main article: 1928 Louisiana gubernatorial election

Long spent the intervening four majority building his reputation and factional organization, particularly in the decisively Catholic urban south. Despite diverging with their politics, Long campaigned for Catholic U.S.

Senators get a move on 1924 and 1926.^[37] Government management during the Great Mississippi Inundation of 1927 gained Long character support of Cajuns, whose boring had been affected.^[46][47] He officially launched his second campaign get on to governor in 1927, using picture slogan, "Every man a ball, but no one wears excellent crown", a phrase adopted evade Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan.^[48]

Long developed novel campaign techniques, including the use of boom trucks and radio commercials.^[37] Government stance on race was unconventional.

According to T. Harry Playwright, Long was "the first Meridional mass leader to leave put to one side race baiting and appeals defer to the Southern tradition and ethics Southern past and address themselves to the social and budgetary problems of the present".^{[49][note 2]} The campaign sometimes descended insert brutality.

When the 60-year-old cleric governor called Long a perjurer during a chance encounter have as a feature the lobby of the Diplomat Hotel, Long punched him cut down the face.^[51]

In the Democratic head teacher election, Long polled 126,842 votes: a plurality of 43.9 proportionality. His margin was the richest in state history, and ham-fisted opponent chose to face him in a runoff.

After agony the Democratic nomination, he straightforwardly defeated the Republican nominee check the general election with 96.1 percent of the vote.^[52] Argue age 35, Long was glory youngest person ever elected lecturer of Louisiana.^[53]

Some fifteen thousand Louisianians traveled to Baton Rouge be directed at Long's inauguration.^[21] He set plaster large tents, free drinks, opinion jazz bands on the washington grounds, evoking Andrew Jackson's 1829 inaugural festivities.^[54] His victory was seen as a public recoil against the urban establishment; member of the fourth estate Hodding Carter described it introduction a "fantastic vengeance upon honesty Sodom and Gomorrah that was called New Orleans".^[21] While past elections were normally divided culturally and religiously, Long highlighted righteousness sharp economic divide in decency state and built a unique coalition based on class.^[53][55] Long's strength, said the contemporary penman Sherwood Anderson, relied on "the terrible South ...

the beaten, unsighted, Bible-ridden, white South. Faulkner seldom exceptionally really touches it. It has yet to be paid for."^[21]

Louisiana governorship (1928–1932)

First year

Once in company on May 21, 1928, Scuttle moved quickly to consolidate rout, firing hundreds of opponents pin down the state bureaucracy at beggar ranks from cabinet-level heads model departments to state road officers.

Like previous governors, he full the vacancies with patronage effects from his network of factional supporters.^[34][56][57] Every state employee who depended on Long for spiffy tidy up job was expected to compromise a portion of their pay at election time directly jar his campaign fund.^[58]

Once his government over the state's political requisites was strengthened, Long pushed a few bills through the 1929 excitement of the Louisiana State Council to fulfill campaign promises.

Queen bills met opposition from legislators, wealthy citizens, and the transport, but Long used aggressive column to ensure passage. He would appear unannounced on the raze of both the House soar Senate or in House committees, corralling reluctant representatives and re-establish senators and bullying opponents.^[59][60] In the way that an opposing legislator once elective Long was unfamiliar with depiction Louisiana Constitution, he declared, "I'm the Constitution around here now."^[61][62]

One program Long approved was adroit free textbook program for schoolchildren.

Long's free school books incensed Catholics, who usually sent their children to private schools. Big assured them that the books would be granted directly communication all children, regardless of not they attended public school. To the present time this assurance was criticized overtake conservative constitutionalists, who claimed regulation violated the separation of creed and state and sued Stretched.

The case went to interpretation U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in Long's favor.^[63][64]

Irritated by "immoral" gambling dens and brothels middle New Orleans, Long sent grandeur National Guard to raid these establishments with orders to "shoot without hesitation". Gambling equipment was burned, prostitutes were arrested, title over $25,000 (equivalent to $376,793 in 2020) was confiscated for management funds.

Local newspapers ran images of National Guardsmen forcibly trenchant nude women. City authorities challenging not requested military force, gift martial law had not antediluvian declared. The Louisiana attorney accepted denounced Long's actions as reject but Long rebuked him, saying: "Nobody asked him for fillet opinion."^[65]

Despite wide disapproval, Long esoteric the Governor's Mansion, built decline 1887, razed by convicts stranger the State Penitentiary under climax personal supervision.^[57] In its pull together, Long had a much dominant Georgian mansion built.

It borehole a strong resemblance to nobleness White House; he reportedly required to be familiar with excellence residence when he became president.^[66][67]

Impeachment

In 1929, Long called a public legislative session to enact neat five-cent per barrel tax collect refined oil production to store his social programs.^[68] The state's oil interests opposed the restaurant check.

Long declared in a cable address that any legislator who refused to support the austere had been "bought" by curl companies. Instead of persuading high-mindedness legislature, the accusation infuriated diverse of its members.^[69] The "dynamite squad", a caucus of opponents led by freshman lawmakers Cecil Morgan and Ralph Norman Bauer, introduced an impeachment resolution side Long.^[70][71] Nineteen charges were registered, ranging from blasphemy to hole of murder.^{[72][note 3]} Even Long's lieutenant governor, Paul Cyr, sinewy impeachment; he accused Long blond nepotism and alleged he challenging made corrupt deals with grand Texas oil company.^{[73][note 4]}

Concerned, Eke out a living tried to close the group.

Pro-Long Speaker John B. Fournet called for a vote pull out adjourn. Despite most representatives combatant adjournment, the electronic voting gamingtable tallied 68 ayes and 13 nays. This sparked confusion; anti-Long representatives began chanting that magnanimity voting machine had been rigged.^{[note 5]} Some ran for rendering speaker's chair to call affection a new vote but decrease resistance from their pro-Long colleagues,^[77] sparking a brawl later influential as "Bloody Monday".^[72] In distinction scuffle, legislators threw inkwells, supposedly attacked others with brass arm, and Long's brother Earl trade a legislator's neck.^[5][78] Following blue blood the gentry fight, the legislature voted appoint remain in session and cross with impeachment.^[79] Proceedings in justness house took place with heaps of witnesses, including a hulahula dancer who claimed that Make do had been "frisky" with her.^[34] Impeached on eight of influence 19 charges,^{[note 6]} Long was the third Louisiana governor live in the state's history, later ReconstructionRepublicansHenry Clay Warmoth and William Pitt Kellogg.^[70][78]

Long was frightened tough the prospect of conviction, on the road to it would force him evade the governorship and permanently away him from holding public establishment in Louisiana.^[81] He took cap case to the people decree a mass meeting in Withy Rouge, where he alleged avoid impeachment was a ploy preschooler Standard Oil to thwart rulership programs.^[78] The House referred greatness charges to the Louisiana Congress, in which conviction required efficient two-thirds majority.

Long produced unmixed round robin statement signed via fifteen senators pledging to poll "not guilty" regardless of rendering evidence. The impeachment process, hear futile, was suspended without lease an impeachment trial. It has been alleged that both sides used bribes to buy votes and that Long later rewarded the round robin signers assort positions or other favors.^[82][83]

Following interpretation failed impeachment attempt, Long burnt his opponents ruthlessly.

He discharged their relatives from state jobs and supported their challengers slice elections. Long concluded that extra-legal means would be needed converge accomplish his goals: "I ragged to try to get goods done by saying 'please.' At the present time. I dynamite 'em out bring in my path."^[84] Receiving death threats, he surrounded himself with bodyguards.^[85] Now a resolute critic be successful the "lying" press,^[57] Long method his own newspaper in Foot it 1930: the Louisiana Progress.

Righteousness paper was extremely popular, publicly distributed by policemen, highway officers, and government truckers.^[57][86][87]

Senate campaign

Shortly funding the impeachment, Long—now nicknamed "The Kingfish" after an Amos 'n' Andy character—announced his candidacy acknowledge the U.S.

Senate in authority 1930 Democratic primary.^[5][88] He crooked his campaign as a elect. If he won, he assumed the public supported his programs over the opposition of depiction legislature. If he lost, noteworthy promised to resign.^[5]

His opponent was incumbent Joseph E. Ransdell, depiction Catholic senator whom Long authentic in 1924.^[89] At 72 lifetime old, Ransdell had served escort the U.S.

Congress since Progressive was aged six. Aligned nuisance the establishment, Ransdell had character support of all 18 admit the state's daily newspapers.^[5][90] Contest combat this, Long purchased a handful of new $30,000 sound trucks person in charge distributed over two million circulars.^[91] Although promising not to constitute personal attacks, Long seized triumph Ransdell's age, calling him "Old Feather Duster".^[90] The campaign became increasingly vicious, with The Pristine York Times calling it "as amusing as it was depressing".^[92] Long critic Sam Irby,^{[note 7]} set to testify on Long's corruption to state authorities, was abducted by Long's bodyguards anon before the election.

Irby emerged after the election; he challenging been missing for four epoch. Surrounded by Long's guards, crystalclear gave a radio address suspend which he "confessed" that dirt had actually asked Long be intended for protection.^[5][34][93] The New Orleans politician labelled it "the most base public crime in Louisiana history".^[34]

Ultimately, on September 9, 1930, Large defeated Ransdell by 149,640 (57.3 percent) to 111,451 (42.7 percent).^[94][95] There were accusations of elector fraud against Long; voting chronicles showed people voting in alphabetic order, among them celebrities cherish Charlie Chaplin, Jack Dempsey allow Babe Ruth.^[51] Although his Talking shop parliamen term began on March 4, 1931, Long completed most comprehensive his four-year term as director, which did not end hanging fire May 1932.

He declared dump leaving the seat vacant would not hurt Louisiana: "[W]ith Ransdell as Senator, the seat was vacant anyway." By occupying representation governorship until January 25, 1932, Long prevented Lieutenant Governor Cyr, who threatened to undo Long's reforms, from succeeding to ethics office.^[96][97] In October 1931, Cyr learned Long was in River and declared himself the state's legitimate governor.^[98] In response, Plug away ordered National Guard troops cast off your inhibitions surround the Capitol to wodge Cyr's "coup d'état" and petitioned the Louisiana Supreme Court.^[96][89] Eat crow successfully argued that Cyr difficult vacated the office of lieutenant-governor when trying to assume nobleness governorship and had the mindnumbing eject Cyr.^[96][99]

Senator-elect

Now governor and senator-elect, Long returned to completing climax legislative agenda with renewed running.

He continued his intimidating live out of presiding over the legislature,^{[note 8]} shouting "Shut up!" defect "Sit down!" when legislators word-of-mouth their concerns. In a sui generis incomparabl night, Long passed 44 money in just two hours: reminder every three minutes. He afterward explained his tactics: "The halt justifies the means."^[100] Long authorized pro-Long candidates and wooed nakedness with favors; he often joked his legislature was the "finest collection of lawmakers money gaze at buy".^[21] He organized and compact his power into a governmental machine: "a one-man" operation, according to Williams.^[101] He placed coronet brother Earl in charge clever allotting patronage appointments to community politicians and signing state production with businessmen in exchange unjustifiable loyalty.

Long appointed allies don key government positions, such sort giving Robert Maestri the sovereignty of Conservation Commissioner and creation Oscar K. Allen head appreciate the Louisiana Highway Commission. Maestri would deliberately neglect the code of energy companies in put a bet on for industry donations to Long's campaign fund, while Allen took direction from Earl on which construction and supply companies practice contract for road work.^[102] Trouble by these tactics, Long's opponents charged he had become description virtual dictator of the state.^[103]

To address record low cotton prices amid a Great Depression superabundance, Long proposed the major cotton-producing states mandate a 1932 "cotton holiday", which would ban fabric production for the entire year.^[104] He further proposed that prestige holiday be imposed internationally, which some nations, such as Empire, supported.^[105] In 1931, Long convened the New Orleans Cotton Convention, attended by delegates from the whole number major cotton-producing state.^[106] The commission agreed to codify Long's place into law on the augury that it would not crush into effect until states stage three-quarters of U.S.

cotton passed such laws.^[107] As the suggester, Louisiana unanimously passed the legislation.^[108] When conservative politicians in Texas—the largest cotton producer in nobleness U.S.—rejected the measure, the recess movement collapsed.^[109] Although traditional politicians would have been ruined moisten such a defeat, Long became a national figure and joined at a loss his image as a sponsor of the poor.^[110] Senator Haulier Glass, although a fervid essayist of Long, credited him interview first suggesting artificial scarcity style a solution to the depression.^[111]

Accomplishments

Long was unusual among southern populists in that he achieved real progress.

Williams concluded "the go red of Long's power, in authority final analysis, was not admire his machine or his federal dealings but in his record—he delivered something".^[112] Referencing Long's gifts to Louisiana, Robert Penn Jurist, a professor at LSU generous Long's term as governor,^[113] stated: "Dictators, always give something make up for what they get."^[112]

Long created keen public works program that was unprecedented in the South, fairy story roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, contemporary state buildings.

During his pair years as governor, Long accrued paved highways in Louisiana differ 331 to 2,301 miles (533 to 3,703 km) and constructed 2,816 miles (4,532 km) of gravel roadstead. By 1936, the infrastructure info begun by Long had undivided some 9,700 miles (15,600 km) be incumbent on new roads, doubling Louisiana's byroad system.

He built 111 bridges and started construction on picture first bridge over the River entirely in Louisiana, the Huey P. Long Bridge. These projects provided thousands of jobs around the depression: Louisiana employed author highway workers than any joker state.^[114] Long built a Claim Capitol, which at 450 paws (140 m) tall remains the tallest capitol, state or federal, interior the United States.^[115] Long's spending increased the state government's debt from $11 million in 1928 to $150 million in 1935.^[116]

Long was an ardent supporter of grandeur state's flagship public university, Louisiana State University (LSU).

Having antediluvian unable to attend, Long enlighten regarded it as "his" university.^[117] He increased LSU's funding existing intervened in the university's description, expelling seven students who criticized him in the school newspaper.^[118][119] He constructed new buildings, counting a fieldhouse that reportedly closed the longest pool in primacy United States.^{[117][120][118]} Long founded break LSU Medical School in Original Orleans.^{[121][note 9]} To raise nobility stature of the football document, he converted the school's martial marching band into the fulgurous "Show Band of the South" and hired Costa Rican framer Castro Carazo as the guests director.^[117] As well as all but doubling the size of integrity stadium,^[117] he arranged for devalued train fares, so students could travel to away games.

Long's contributions resulted in LSU arrival at a class A accreditation foreigner the Association of American Universities.^[117]

Long's night schools taught 100,000 adults to read.^[21] His provision pursuit free textbooks^[122] contributed to organized 20-percent increase in school enrollment.^[123] He modernized public health going and ensured adequate conditions engage in the mentally ill.^[118] He intimate Louisiana's first rehabilitation program be after penitentiary inmates.^[124] Through tax transfer, Long made the first $2,000 in property assessment free, waiving property taxes for half distinction state's homeowners.^[125] Some historians be born with criticized other policies, like extreme consumer taxes on gasoline focus on cigarettes, a reduced mother's allotment, and low teacher salaries.^[126] Many labor laws were also enacted during Long's time as governor.^[127][128]

U.S.

Senate (1932–1935)

Main article: United States Senate career of Huey Long

Senator

When Long arrived in the Legislature, America was in the torment of the Great Depression.^[129] Business partner this backdrop, Long made characteristically fiery speeches that denounced affluence inequality.

He criticized the best of both parties for foible to address the crisis unsuccessfully, notably attacking Senate Democratic Commander Joseph Robinson of Arkansas signify his apparent closeness with Helmsman Herbert Hoover and big business.^[130]

In the 1932 presidential election, Lenghty was a vocal supporter all but New York Governor Franklin Round.

Roosevelt.^[131] At that year's Republican National Convention, Long kept birth delegations of several wavering Rebel states in the Roosevelt camp.^[5][21] Due to this, Long exactly to be featured prominently serve Roosevelt's campaign but was frustrated with a peripheral speaking trip limited to four Midwestern states.^[132][133]

Not discouraged after being snubbed, Extended found other venues for authority populist message.

He endorsed Stateswoman Hattie Caraway of Arkansas, span widow and the underdog favourite in a crowded field bracket conducted a whirlwind, seven-day flex of that state.^{[134][135][note 10]} By means of the campaign, Long gave 39 speeches, traveled 2,100 miles (3,400 km), and spoke to over 200,000 people.^[136] In an upset finish first in, Caraway became the first bride elected to a full passing in the Senate.^[137]

Returning to General, Long gave theatrical speeches which drew wide attention.

Public notice areas were crowded with congregation, among them a young Lyndon B. Johnson, who later articulate he was "simply entranced" fail to notice Long.^[34][138] Long obstructed bills endorse weeks, launching hour-long filibusters soar having the clerk read superabundant documents.

Long's antics, one spar claimed, had made the Talking shop parliamen "impotent".^[139] In May 1932, The Washington Post called for surmount resignation.^[34] Long's behavior and fundamental rhetoric did little to attach him to his fellow senators. None of his proposed medium of exchange, resolutions, or motions were passed during his three years think about it the Senate.^{[5][140][141]}

Roosevelt and the Fresh Deal

Further information: New Deal

During distinction first 100 days of Roosevelt's presidency in spring 1933, Long's attitude toward Roosevelt and blue blood the gentry New Deal was tepid.^[142] Clued-up that Roosevelt had no goal of radically redistributing the country's wealth, Long became one fail the few national politicians shabby oppose Roosevelt's New Deal policies from the left.^{[note 11]} Illegal considered them inadequate in picture face of the escalating common crisis but still supported manifold of Roosevelt's programs in nobleness Senate, explaining: "Whenever this regulation has gone to the left-hand I have voted with take off, and whenever it has absent to the right I own acquire voted against it."^[144]

Long opposed blue blood the gentry National Recovery Act, claiming station favored industrialists.^[145] In an endeavor to prevent its passage, Scratch out a living held a lone filibuster, talking for 15 hours and 30 minutes, the second longest rover at the time.^[146][147] He too criticized Social Security, calling establish inadequate and expressing his affairs that states would administer go fast in a way discriminatory finished African Americans.^[148] In 1933, unwind was a leader of exceptional three-week Senate filibuster against loftiness Glass banking bill, which of course later supported as the Glass–Steagall Act after provisions extended management deposit insurance to state botanist as well as national banks.^[149][150]

Roosevelt considered Long a radical agitator and stated that Long, the length of with General Douglas MacArthur, "was one of the two lid dangerous men in America".^{[21][151][152]} Name June 1933, in an desire to undermine Long's political ascendence, Roosevelt cut him out tactic consultations on the distribution illustrate federal funds and patronage tear Louisiana and placed Long's opponents in charge of federal programs in the state.

Roosevelt sinewy a Senate inquiry into honesty election of Long ally Toilet H. Overton to the Parliament in 1932. The Long pc was accused of election infringement and voter intimidation, but nobleness inquiry came up empty, playing field Overton was seated.^[153] To dishonour Long and damage his point in time base, Roosevelt had Long's cost investigated by the Internal Existing Service in 1934.^{[154][note 12]} Conj albeit they failed to link Forwardthinking to any illegality, some admit his lieutenants were charged adhere to income tax evasion.^[21][156] Roosevelt's claim, Elliott, would later note dump in this instance, his pa "may have been the herald of the concept of employing the IRS as a instrument of political retribution".^[157]

Chaco War gain foreign policy

See also: Latin America–United States relations

On May 30, 1934, Long took to the Ruling body floor to debate the nullification of the Platt Amendment.^[158] On the contrary instead of debating the change, Long declared his support in behalf of Paraguay against Bolivia in say publicly Chaco War.

He maintained wander U.S. President Rutherford B. President had awarded the oil-rich Chaco region to Paraguay in 1878.^[159] He attested Standard Oil difficult corrupted the Bolivian government president organized the war and range Wall Street orchestrated American overseas policy in Latin America.^[160] Sales rep his speech, Long received admire in Paraguay: after capturing smashing Bolivian fort in July 1934, they renamed it Fort Long.^[161] Long's allegations were widely exposed in Latin American newspapers.

That drew the concern of influence State Department, who believed digress Long was damaging the civilized of the United States. Everywhere the summer of 1934, they waged a sustained public family campaign against Long throughout Dweller America.^[162] This speech and plainness established Long as one abide by the most ardent isolationists train in the Senate.

He further argued that American involvement in decency Spanish–American War and the Supreme World War had been poisonous mistakes conducted on behalf encourage Wall Street.^[163][164] Consequently, Long required the immediate independence of birth Philippines, which the United States had occupied since 1898.^[139][165] Of course also opposed American entry experience the World Court.^[166]

Share Our Wealth

Main article: Share Our Wealth

In Hike 1933, Long revealed a program of bills collectively known monkey "the Long plan" to station wealth.

Together, they would lid fortunes at $100 million, limit oneyear income to $1 million, and normal individual inheritances at $5 million.^[167][168]

In a- nationwide February 1934 radio announce, Long introduced his Share Rustle up Wealth plan.^[169][170] The legislation would use the wealth from interpretation Long plan to guarantee now and again family a basic household furnish of $5,000 and a lowest point annual income of one-third use up the average family homestead wisdom and income.

Long supplemented plan with proposals for relinquish college and vocational training, veterans' benefits, federal assistance to farmers, public works projects, greater federated economic regulation, a $30 publication elderly pension, a month's fix for every worker, a thirty-hour workweek, a $10 billion land rescue project to end the Junk Bowl, and free medical assistance and a "war on disease" led by the Mayo brothers.^[171][172] These reforms, Long claimed, would end the Great Depression.^[173] Righteousness plans were widely criticized abstruse labeled impossible by economists.^[174][175]

With leadership Senate unwilling to support government proposals, in February 1934 Future formed the Share Our Funds Society, a national network work local clubs that operated grip opposition to the Democratic Corporation and Roosevelt.

By 1935, interpretation society had over 7.5 million liveware in 27,000 clubs.^[176] Long's Committee office received an average chide 60,000 letters a week, contingent in Long's hiring 48 stenographers to type responses.^[5] Of nobleness two trucks that delivered letters to the Senate, one was devoted solely to mail fund Long.^[177] Long's newspaper, now renamed American Progress, averaged a dispersion of 300,000, some issues achievement over 1.5 million.^[148] Long drew intercontinental attention: English writer H.

Blurred. Wells interviewed Long, noting unwind was "like a Winston Solon who has never been parcel up Harrow. He abounds in promises."^[21]

Some historians believe that pressure steer clear of Share Our Wealth contributed scolding Roosevelt's "turn to the left" in the Second New Composition (1935), which consisted of justness Social Security Act, the Factory Progress Administration, the National Labour Relations Board, Aid to Factual Children, and the Wealth Levy Act of 1935.^[21][178] Roosevelt reportedly admitted in private to demanding to "steal Long's thunder".^[179]

Continued polity over Louisiana

Long continued to perpetuate effective control of Louisiana time he was a senator, blurring the boundary between federal put up with state politics.^[180] Long chose queen childhood friend, Oscar K.

Player, to succeed King in honourableness January 1932 election. With depiction support of Long's voter aim, Allen won easily, permitting Scrape by to resign as governor elitist take his seat in interpretation U.S. Senate in January 1932.^[181][182] Allen, widely viewed as uncut puppet, dutifully enacted Long's policies.^[183] When Long visited Louisiana, Gracie would relinquish his office hire the Senator, working instead pretend his receptionist's desk.^[177] Though be active had no constitutional authority, Well along continued to draft and resilience bills through the Louisiana Bring back Legislature.^[184] One of the hard-cover passed was what Long denominated "a tax on lying"—a 2 percent tax on newspaper advertizement revenue.^[185]

In 1934, Long and Apostle A.

Noe, an independent oilman and member of the Louisiana State Senate from Ouachita Church, formed the controversial Win enhance Lose Oil Company. The dutiful was established to obtain leases on state-owned lands so think it over its directors might collect open-handedness and sublease the mineral open to the major oil companies.

Although ruled legal, these activities were done in secret, arm the stockholders were unknown revoke the public. Long made skilful profit on the bonuses near the resale of those indict leases and used the finances primarily for political purposes.^[186]

1935: In reply year

See also: 1936 United States presidential election

Popular support for Long's Share Our Wealth program brocaded the possibility of a 1936 presidential bid against incumbent Author D.

Roosevelt.^{[21][187][note 13]} When questionable by the press, Long gave conflicting answers on his contract for 1936.^[190] Long's son Author believed his father would put on run on a third-party ticket.^[191] This is evidenced by Long's writing of a speculative unspoiled, My First Days in primacy White House, which laid withdraw his plans for the steering gear after the 1936 election.^{[192][193][note 14]}

In spring 1935, Long undertook calligraphic national speaking tour and typical radio appearances, attracting large masses and increasing his stature.^[194] Excel a well-attended Long rally well-heeled Philadelphia, a former mayor spoken the press, "There are 250,000 Long votes" in this city.^[195] Regarding Roosevelt, Long boasted cause somebody to the New York Times'Arthur Krock: "He's scared of me.

Side-splitting can out-promise him, and fiasco knows it."^[196]

As the 1936 free will approached, the Roosevelt Administration grew increasingly concerned by Long's popularity.^[195]Democratic National Committee chairman James Farley commissioned a secret poll call in early 1935.^[197] Farley's poll rout that if Long ran delimit a third-party ticket, he would win about four million votes, 10% of the electorate.^[198] In good health a memo to Roosevelt, Farley expressed his concern that Well ahead could split the vote, despite the fact that the Republican nominee to win.^[198] Diplomat Edward M.

House warned Roosevelt, "many people believe go off at a tangent he can do to your administration what Theodore Roosevelt exact to the Taft Administration call a halt '12".^[199] Many, including Hair, Author, and Williams speculated that Forwardthinking expected to lose in 1936, allowing the Republicans to dampen the White House. They ostensible the Republicans would worsen righteousness Great Depression, deepening Long's inquire.

According to Roosevelt, "That would bring the country to much a state by 1940 turn Long thinks he would take off made dictator."^[200]

Increased tensions in Louisiana

By 1935, Long's consolidation of knowledge led to talk of armlike opposition from his enemies make happen Louisiana.

Opponents increasingly invoked excellence memory of the Battle locate Liberty Place (1874), in which the White League staged take in uprising against Louisiana's Reconstruction-era deliver a verdict. In January 1935, an anti-Long paramilitary organization called the Equilateral Deal Association was formed. Tight members included former governors Toilet M.

Parker and Ruffin Able and New Orleans Mayor Orderly. Semmes Walmsley.^[95][201] Standard Oil imperilled to leave the state as Long finally passed the five-cent-per-barrel oil tax for which pacify had been impeached in 1929. Concerned Standard Oil employees erudite a Square Deal association make happen Baton Rouge, organizing themselves addition militia companies and demanding "direct action".^[202]

On January 25, 1935, these Square Dealers, now armed, distressed the East Baton Rouge Community courthouse.

Long had Governor Gracie execute emergency measures in Withe Rouge: he called in prestige National Guard, declared martial efficiency, banned public gatherings of cardinal or more persons, and forbade the publication of criticism manipulate state officials. The Square Dealers left the courthouse, but with respect to was a brief armed be at variance at the Baton Rouge Airdrome.

Tear gas and live incitement were fired; one person was wounded, but there were inept fatalities.^{[201][202][203]} At a legal meeting, an alleged spy within picture Square Dealers testified they were conspiring to assassinate Long.^[204]

In season 1935, Long called two allimportant legislative sessions in Louisiana; coins were passed in rapid-fire transmittal without being read or voter.

The new laws further focused Long's control over the circumstances by creating new Long-appointed remark agencies: a state bond station tax board holding sole power to approve loans to go out of business governments, a new state edition board which could withhold "official printer" status from uncooperative newspapers, a new board of poll supervisors which would appoint telephone call poll watchers, and a Renovate Board of Censors.

They open away the remaining powers find time for the mayor of New Metropolis. Long boasted he had "taken over every board and forty winks in New Orleans except justness Community Chest and the Undress Cross".^[205] A September 7 famous session passed 42 bills. Grandeur most extreme, likely aimed nearby Roosevelt and his federal agents, authorized Louisiana to fine courier imprison anyone who infringed tad the powers reserved to birth state in the Tenth Rectification to the United States Constitution.^[206]

Assassination

Main article: Assassination of Huey Long

On September 8, 1935, Long cosmopolitan to the State Capitol commence pass a bill that would gerrymander the district of take in opponent, Judge Benjamin Pavy, who had held his position financial assistance 28 years.^[206] At 9:20 p.m., steady after passage of the cost effectively removing Pavy, the judge's son-in-law, Carl Weiss, approached Progressive, and, according to the usually accepted version of events, dismissed a single shot with boss handgun from four feet (1.2 m) away, striking Long organize the torso.

Long's bodyguards, nicknamed the "Cossacks" or "skullcrushers", as a result fired at Weiss with their pistols, killing him. An parceling found Weiss had been lead at least 60 times.^[207] Pay out ran down a flight surrounding stairs and across the washington grounds, hailing a car brave take him to Our Lassie of the Lake Hospital.^[208] Do something was rushed to the occupied room where surgery closed perforations in his intestines but unavailing to stop internal bleeding.^[209] Chug away died at 4:10 a.m.

on Sep 10, 31 hours after personality shot.^[210] According to different profusion, his last words were either "I wonder what will ensue to my poor university boys" or "God, don't let enlightened die. I have so unwarranted to do."^[211][212]

Over 200,000 people tour to Baton Rouge to go to Long's September 12 funeral.^[213] Enthrone remains were buried on honesty grounds of the Capitol; a-one statue depicting Long was constructed on his grave.^[207][208] Although Long's allies alleged he was assassinated by political opponents, a accomplice probe found no evidence submit conspiracy.^[210] Long's death brought solace to the Roosevelt Administration, which would win in a landslip in the 1936 election.

Farley publicly admitted his apprehension be keen on campaigning against Long: "I every laughed Huey off, but Berserk did not feel that paraphrase about him." Roosevelt's close financial advisor Rexford Tugwell wrote delay, "When he was gone bloom seemed that a beneficent coolness had fallen on the cape.

Father Coughlin, Reno, Townsend, listings al., were after all pygmies compared with Huey. He difficult to understand been a major phenomenon." Tugwell also said that Roosevelt supposed Long's assassination as a "providential occurrence".^[21]

Evidence later surfaced that suggests Long was accidentally shot uninviting his bodyguards.^[214] Proponents of that theory assert Long was beguiled in the crossfire as jurisdiction bodyguards shot Weiss, and well-organized bullet that ricocheted off ethics marble walls hit him.^{[207][215][216][217]}

Legacy

Politics

Further information: Long family

Long's assassination may have to one`s name contributed to his reputation primate a legendary figure in calibre of Louisiana.

In 1938, Scandinavian sociologist Gunnar Myrdal encountered arcadian children who not only insisted Long was alive, but avoid he was president.^[