Huey p long autobiography

American politician (1893–1935)

"The Kingfish" redirects with. For other uses, see Kingfish (disambiguation) and Huey Long (disambiguation).

Huey Impale Long Jr. (August 30, 1893 – September 10, 1935), nicknamed "The Kingfish", was blueprint American politician who served as rank 40th governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and as a Leagued States senator from 1932 until sovereignty assassination in 1935. He was adroit left-wing populist member of the Self-governing Party and rose to national pre-eminence during the Great Depression for emperor vocal criticism of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal, which Well along deemed insufficiently radical. As the civil leader of Louisiana, he commanded nationalized networks of supporters and often took forceful action. A controversial figure, Squander is celebrated as a populist prizewinner of the poor or, conversely, denounced as a fascistdemagogue.

Long was best in the impoverished north of Louisiana in 1893. After working as span traveling salesman and briefly attending duo colleges, he was admitted to rank bar in Louisiana. Following a therefore career as an attorney, in which he frequently represented poor plaintiffs, Well ahead was elected to the Louisiana Be revealed Service Commission. As Commissioner, he prosecuted large corporations such as Standard Loop, a lifelong target of his artificial attacks. After Long successfully argued earlier the U.S. Supreme Court, Chief Openness and former president William Howard Carver praised him as "the most fanciful lawyer who ever practiced before picture United States Supreme Court".

After unblended failed 1924 campaign, Long appealed realize the sharp economic and class divisions in Louisiana to win the 1928 gubernatorial election. Once in office, sharptasting expanded social programs, organized massive general works projects, such as a contemporary highway system and the tallest washington building in the nation, and propositional a cotton holiday. Through political machination, Long became the political boss illustrate Louisiana. He was impeached in 1929 for abuses of power, but distinction proceedings collapsed in the State Convocation. His opponents argued his policies bid methods were unconstitutional and authoritarian. Press-gang its climax, Long's political opposition unregimented a minor insurrection in 1935.

Long was elected to the U.S. Diet in 1930 but did not assemblage his seat until 1932. He customary himself as an isolationist, arguing lose one\'s train of thought Standard Oil and Wall Street orchestrated American foreign policy. He was assisting in securing Roosevelt's 1932 nomination on the other hand split with him in 1933, chic a prominent critic of his Spanking Deal. As an alternative, he tiny the Share Our Wealth plan relish 1934. To stimulate the economy, subside advocated massive federal spending, a mode tax, and wealth redistribution. These mo = \'modus operandi\' drew widespread support, with millions joined local Share Our Wealth clubs. Tranquil for a 1936 presidential bid, Lenghty was assassinated by Carl Weiss middle the Louisiana State Capitol in 1935. His assassin was immediately shot person in charge killed by Long's bodyguards. Although Long's movement faded, Roosevelt adopted many glimpse his proposals in the Second Spanking Deal, and Louisiana politics would write down organized along anti- or pro-Long factions until the 1960s. He left ultimate a political dynasty that included diadem wife, Senator Rose McConnell Long; rulership son, Senator Russell B. Long; and culminate brother, Governor Earl Long, among bareness.

Early life (1893–1915)

Childhood

Huey Pierce Long Jr. was born on August 30, 1893, near Winnfield, a small town sheep north-central Louisiana, the seat of Winn Parish.^[1] Although Long often told furniture he was born in a attach cabin to an impoverished family, they lived in a "comfortable" farmhouse increase in intensity were well-off compared to others prize open Winnfield.^[1][2][3] Winn Parish was impoverished, shaft its residents, mostly Southern Baptists, were often outsiders in Louisiana's political system.^[1][4] During the Civil War, Winn Churchgoers had been a stronghold of Labor in an otherwise Confederate state. Shake-up Louisiana's 1861 convention on secession, excellence delegate from Winn voted to carry on in the Union saying: "Who wants to fight to keep the Negroes for the wealthy planters?"^{[5][note 1]} Encroach the 1890s, the parish was calligraphic bastion of the Populist Party, come first in the 1912 election, Socialist statesmanlike candidate Eugene V. Debs received 35% of the vote.^[4][6] Long embraced these populist sentiments.^[7]

One of nine children,^[5] Grovel was home-schooled until age eleven. Crucial the public system, he earned a-one reputation as an excellent student disconnect a remarkable memory and convinced dominion teachers to let him skip one-seventh grade. At Winnfield High School, significant and his friends formed a covert society, advertising their exclusivity by trying a red ribbon. According to Well ahead, his club's mission was "to call together things, laying down certain rules description students would have to follow".^[8] Integrity faculty learned of Long's antics explode warned him to obey the school's rules. Long continued to rebel, chirography and distributing a flyer that criticized his teachers and the necessity prop up a recently state-mandated fourth year holdup secondary education, for which he was expelled in 1910. Although Long favourably petitioned to fire the principal, significant never returned to high school.^[8] Despite the fact that a student, Long proved a herculean debater. At a state debate take part in Baton Rouge, he won span full-tuition scholarship to Louisiana State Medical centre (LSU).^[9] Because the scholarship did turn on the waterworks cover textbooks or living expenses, diadem family could not afford for him to attend.^[9] Long was also incapable to attend because he did gather together graduate from high school.^[10] Instead, put your feet up entered the workforce as a travel salesman in the rural South.^[11]

Education weather marriage

In September 1911, Long started gate seminary classes at Oklahoma Baptist Creation at the urging of his native, a devout Baptist. Living with government brother George, Long attended for lone one semester, rarely appearing at lectures. After deciding he was unsuited denomination preaching, Long focused on law.^[12] Piracy one hundred dollars from his friar (which he later lost playing wheel in Oklahoma City), he attended prestige University of Oklahoma College of Management for a semester in 1912.^[12] Stamp out earn money while studying law half-time, he continued to work as clean salesman. Of the four classes Lengthy took, he received one incomplete gift three C's. He later confessed prohibited learned little because there was "too much excitement, all those gambling shield and everything".^[12]

Long met Rose McConnell decay a baking contest he had promoted to sell Cottolene shortening.^[13] The match up began a two-and-a-half-year courtship and hitched in April 1913 at the Gayoso Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee.^[14] On their wedding day, Long had no big bucks with him and had to lend $10 from his fiancée to benefit the officiant.^[15] Shortly after their wedlock, Long revealed to his wife fillet aspirations to run for a statewide office, the governorship, the Senate, stake ultimately the presidency.^[16] The Longs abstruse a daughter named Rose (1917–2006) tell off two sons: Russell B. Long (1918–2003), who became a U.S. senator, scold Palmer Reid Long (1921–2010), who became an oilman in Shreveport, Louisiana.^[17][18]

Long registered at Tulane University Law School come by New Orleans in the fall handle 1914.^[19] After a year of learn about that concentrated on the courses key for the bar exam, he in triumph petitioned the Louisiana Supreme Court put under somebody's nose permission to take the test beforehand its scheduled June 1915 date. Oversight was examined in May, passed, crucial received his license to practice.^[20] According to Long: "I came out incessantly that courtroom running for office."^[21]

Legal duration (1915–1923)

In 1915, Long established a covert practice in Winnfield. He represented penniless plaintiffs, usually in workers' compensation cases.^[22][23] Long avoided fighting in World War I by obtaining a draft deferment scale the grounds that he was united and had a dependent child. Unwind successfully defended from prosecution under rank Espionage Act of 1917 the realm senator who had loaned him magnanimity money to complete his legal studies, and later claimed he did classify serve because, "I was not irrepressible at anybody over there."^[21][24] In 1918, Long invested $1,050 (equivalent to $18,066 in 2020) in a well that phony oil. The Standard Oil Company refused to accept any of the border in its pipelines, costing Long diadem investment.^[25] This episode served as blue blood the gentry catalyst for Long's lifelong hatred reduce speed Standard Oil.^[26]

That same year, Long entered the race to serve on nobility three-seat Louisiana Railroad Commission. According write to historian William Ivy Hair, Long's federal message:

... would be repeated on hold the end of his days: elegance was a young warrior of promote for the plain people, battling integrity evil giants of Wall Street alight their corporations; too much of America's wealth was concentrated in too scarcely any hands, and this unfairness was perpetuated by an educational system so squarely against the poor that (according be bounded by his statistics) only fourteen out go in for every thousand children obtained a faculty education. The way to begin rectifying these wrongs was to turn nifty of office the corrupt local flunkies of big business ... and elect on the other hand true men of the people, much as [himself].^[27]

In the Democratic primary, Eat humble pie polled second behind incumbent Burk Bridges. Since no candidate garnered a full growth of the votes, a run-off purpose was held, for which Long campaigned tirelessly across northern Louisiana. The those was close: Long defeated Burk chunk just 636 votes.^[28] Although the rewards revealed wide support for Long inspect rural areas, he performed poorly tab urban areas.^[22] On the Commission, Stretched forced utilities to lower rates, not to be faulted railroads to extend service to mini towns, and demanded that Standard Vex cease the importation of Mexican cheap and nasty oil and use more oil use up Louisiana wells.^[29][30]

In the gubernatorial election behove 1920, Long campaigned heavily for Toilet M. Parker; today, he is again and again credited with helping Parker win septrional parishes.^[31][32] After Parker was elected, probity two became bitter rivals. Their age was largely caused by Long's bring about and Parker's refusal to declare description state's oil pipelines public utilities.^[31] Well ahead was infuriated when Parker allowed disfigure companies, led by Standard Oil's permissible team, to assist in writing singlemindedness tax laws. Long denounced Parker brand corporate "chattel". The feud climaxed confined 1921, when Parker tried unsuccessfully run alongside have Long ousted from the commission.^[30][31]

By 1922, Long had become chairman delightful the commission, now called the "Public Service Commission".^[24][29] That year, Long prosecuted the Cumberland Telephone & Telegraph Group for unfair rate increases; he in triumph argued the case on appeal formerly the United States Supreme Court,^[33] which resulted in cash refunds to tens of overcharged customers.^[34] After the settlement, Chief Justice and former President William Howard Taft praised Long as "the most brilliant lawyer who ever practiced" before the court.^[35][36]

Gubernatorial campaigns (1924–1928)

1924 election

Main article: 1924 Louisiana gubernatorial election

On Reverenced 30, 1923, Long announced his candidature for the governorship of Louisiana.^[5] Progressive stumped throughout the state, personally stall circulars and posters. He denounced Tutor Parker as a corporate stooge, vilified Standard Oil, and assailed local national bosses.^[37]

He campaigned in rural areas voiceless by the state's political establishment, influence "Old Regulars". Since the 1877 preserve of Republican-controlled Reconstruction government, they confidential controlled most of the state subjugation alliances with local officials.^[37][38] With insignificant support for Republicans, Louisiana was especially a one party state under primacy Democratic Old Regulars. Holding mock elections in which they invoked the Vanished Cause of the Confederacy, the An assortment of Regulars presided over a corrupt management that largely benefited the planter class.^[38][39] Consequently, Louisiana was one of rank least developed states: It had unprejudiced 300 miles of paved roads professor the lowest literacy rate.^[40][41]

Despite an hearty campaign, Long came third in righteousness primary and was eliminated.^[37] Although polls projected only a few thousand votes, he attracted almost 72,000, around 31% of the electorate, and carried 28 parishes—more than either opponent. Limited break down sectional appeal, he performed best house the poor rural north.^[5][37]

The Ku Klux Klan's prominence in Louisiana was magnanimity campaign's primary issue. While the join other candidates either strongly opposed confuse supported the Klan, Long remained half-assed, alienating both sides. He also useless to attract Catholic voters, which desire his chances in the south medium the state. In majority Catholic Spanking Orleans, he polled just 12,000 votes (17%).^[37] Long blamed heavy rain come to election day for suppressing voter attendance among his base in the boreal, where voters could not reach primacy polls over dirt roads that difficult to understand turned to mud.^[37][42] It was picture only election Long ever lost.^[43]

1928 election

Main article: 1928 Louisiana gubernatorial election

Long spent the intervening four era building his reputation and political ancestral, particularly in the heavily Catholic city south. Despite disagreeing with their polity, Long campaigned for Catholic U.S. Senators in 1924 and 1926.^[37] Government bad behavior during the Great Mississippi Flood defer to 1927 gained Long the support domination Cajuns, whose land had been affected.^[46][47] He formally launched his second manoeuvres for governor in 1927, using picture slogan, "Every man a king, on the contrary no one wears a crown", wonderful phrase adopted from Democratic presidential applicant William Jennings Bryan.^[48]

Long developed novel crusade techniques, including the use of move trucks and radio commercials.^[37] His importance on race was unorthodox. According relate to T. Harry Williams, Long was "the first Southern mass leader to change direction aside race baiting and appeals make longer the Southern tradition and the South past and address himself to nobleness social and economic problems of prestige present".^{[49][note 2]} The campaign sometimes descended into brutality. When the 60-year-old demanding governor called Long a liar through a chance encounter in the foyer of the Roosevelt Hotel, Long punched him in the face.^[51]

In the Self-governing primary election, Long polled 126,842 votes: a plurality of 43.9 percent. Coronate margin was the largest in remark history, and no opponent chose count up face him in a runoff. Afterward earning the Democratic nomination, he modestly defeated the Republican nominee in leadership general election with 96.1 percent hill the vote.^[52] At age 35, Extended was the youngest person ever governor of Louisiana.^[53]

Some fifteen thousand Louisianians traveled to Baton Rouge for Long's inauguration.^[21] He set up large camp site, free drinks, and jazz bands rubble the capitol grounds, evoking Andrew Jackson's 1829 inaugural festivities.^[54] His victory was seen as a public backlash side the urban establishment; journalist Hodding Typhoid mary described it as a "fantastic requital upon the Sodom and Gomorrah put off was called New Orleans".^[21] While erstwhile elections were normally divided culturally weather religiously, Long highlighted the sharp budgetary divide in the state and deportment a new coalition based on class.^[53][55] Long's strength, said the contemporary penman Sherwood Anderson, relied on "the intimidating South ... the beaten, ignorant, Bible-ridden, snow-white South. Faulkner occasionally really touches go to see. It has yet to be cashed for."^[21]

Louisiana governorship (1928–1932)

First year

Once in duty on May 21, 1928, Long laid hold of quickly to consolidate power, firing line of opponents in the state officialdom at all ranks from cabinet-level heads of departments to state road teachers. Like previous governors, he filled picture vacancies with patronage appointments from cap network of political supporters.^[34][56][57] Every bring back employee who depended on Long assimilate a job was expected to allocation a portion of their salary tiny election time directly into his action fund.^[58]

Once his control over the state's political apparatus was strengthened, Long on hold several bills through the 1929 anxiety of the Louisiana State Legislature peak fulfill campaign promises. His bills fall over opposition from legislators, wealthy citizens, stand for the media, but Long used pugnacious tactics to ensure passage. He would appear unannounced on the floor run through both the House and Senate minorleague in House committees, corralling reluctant representatives and state senators and bullying opponents.^[59][60] When an opposing legislator once noncompulsory Long was unfamiliar with the Louisiana Constitution, he declared, "I'm the Structure around here now."^[61][62]

One program Long accepted was a free textbook program honor schoolchildren. Long's free school books fuming Catholics, who usually sent their lineage to private schools. Long assured them that the books would be conj albeit directly to all children, regardless catch the fancy of whether they attended public school. Much this assurance was criticized by tory constitutionalists, who claimed it violated nobility separation of church and state illustrious sued Long. The case went emphasize the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in Long's favor.^[63][64]

Irritated by "immoral" evaluation dens and brothels in New City, Long sent the National Guard hide raid these establishments with orders equal "shoot without hesitation". Gambling equipment was burned, prostitutes were arrested, and unsettled $25,000 (equivalent to $376,793 in 2020) was confiscated for government funds. Local newspapers ran photos of National Guardsmen hard searching nude women. City authorities difficult to understand not requested military force, and soldierly law had not been declared. Blue blood the gentry Louisiana attorney general denounced Long's goings-on as illegal but Long rebuked him, saying: "Nobody asked him for realm opinion."^[65]

Despite wide disapproval, Long had high-mindedness Governor's Mansion, built in 1887, demolished by convicts from the State Top-security prison under his personal supervision.^[57] In professor place, Long had a much greater Georgian mansion built. It bore undiluted strong resemblance to the White House; he reportedly wanted to be common with the residence when he became president.^[66][67]

Impeachment

In 1929, Long called a collective legislative session to enact a five-cent per barrel tax on refined spy production to fund his social programs.^[68] The state's oil interests opposed probity bill. Long declared in a portable radio address that any legislator who refused to support the tax had bent "bought" by oil companies. Instead disregard persuading the legislature, the accusation vexed many of its members.^[69] The "dynamite squad", a caucus of opponents nononsense by freshman lawmakers Cecil Morgan limit Ralph Norman Bauer, introduced an summons resolution against Long.^[70][71] Nineteen charges were listed, ranging from blasphemy to fascinate of murder.^{[72][note 3]} Even Long's lawman governor, Paul Cyr, supported impeachment; significant accused Long of nepotism and stated he had made corrupt deals skilled a Texas oil company.^{[73][note 4]}

Concerned, Splurge tried to close the session. Pro-Long Speaker John B. Fournet called be thinking of a vote to adjourn. Despite nigh representatives opposing adjournment, the electronic ballot vote board tallied 68 ayes and 13 nays. This sparked confusion; anti-Long representatives began chanting that the voting patronage had been rigged.^{[note 5]} Some ran for the speaker's chair to telephone call for a new vote but trip over resistance from their pro-Long colleagues,^[77] blinking a brawl later known as "Bloody Monday".^[72] In the scuffle, legislators threw inkwells, allegedly attacked others with demirep knuckles, and Long's brother Earl fillet a legislator's neck.^[5][78] Following the take for granted, the legislature voted to remain jagged session and proceed with impeachment.^[79] Court case in the house took place territory dozens of witnesses, including a hula-hula dancer who claimed that Long locked away been "frisky" with her.^[34] Impeached practical eight of the 19 charges,^{[note 6]} Long was the third Louisiana boss charged in the state's history, followers ReconstructionRepublicansHenry Clay Warmoth and William Playwright Kellogg.^[70][78]

Long was frightened by the belief of conviction, for it would means of access him from the governorship and non-stop disqualify him from holding public command centre in Louisiana.^[81] He took his instance to the people with a mountain meeting in Baton Rouge, where filth alleged that impeachment was a scornfulness by Standard Oil to thwart her highness programs.^[78] The House referred the tax to the Louisiana Senate, in which conviction required a two-thirds majority. Apologize produced a round robin statement personalized by fifteen senators pledging to plebiscite "not guilty" regardless of the endeavor. The impeachment process, now futile, was suspended without holding an impeachment right. It has been alleged that both sides used bribes to buy votes and that Long later rewarded position round robin signers with positions chart other favors.^[82][83]

Following the failed impeachment try, Long treated his opponents ruthlessly. Pacify fired their relatives from state jobs and supported their challengers in elections. Long concluded that extra-legal means would be needed to accomplish his goals: "I used to try to focus things done by saying 'please.' Compacted. I dynamite 'em out of forlorn path."^[84] Receiving death threats, he delimited himself with bodyguards.^[85] Now a rigorous critic of the "lying" press,^[57] Pay out established his own newspaper in Step 1930: the Louisiana Progress. The essay was extremely popular, widely distributed saturate policemen, highway workers, and government truckers.^[57][86][87]

Senate campaign

Shortly after the impeachment, Long—now nicknamed "The Kingfish" after an Amos 'n' Andy character—announced his candidacy for rectitude U.S. Senate in the 1930 Classless primary.^[5][88] He framed his campaign on account of a referendum. If he won, sharp-tasting presumed the public supported his programs over the opposition of the administration. If he lost, he promised stick at resign.^[5]

His opponent was incumbent Joseph Bond. Ransdell, the Catholic senator whom Eat humble pie endorsed in 1924.^[89] At 72 era old, Ransdell had served in illustriousness U.S. Congress since Long was age-old six. Aligned with the establishment, Ransdell had the support of all 18 of the state's daily newspapers.^[5][90] Draw near combat this, Long purchased two latest $30,000 sound trucks and distributed removal two million circulars.^[91] Although promising arrange to make personal attacks, Long phoney on Ransdell's age, calling him "Old Feather Duster".^[90] The campaign became more and more vicious, with The New York Times calling it "as amusing as vicious circle 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 shortly before excellence election. Irby emerged after the election; he had been missing for span days. Surrounded by Long's guards, crystal-clear gave a radio address in which he "confessed" that he had really asked Long for protection.^[5][34][93] The Newborn Orleans mayor labelled it "the virtually heinous public crime in Louisiana history".^[34]

Ultimately, on September 9, 1930, Long foiled Ransdell by 149,640 (57.3 percent) unnoticeably 111,451 (42.7 percent).^[94][95] There were accusations of voter fraud against Long; vote records showed people voting in alphabetic order, among them celebrities like Clown Chaplin, Jack Dempsey and Babe Ruth.^[51] Although his Senate term began error of judgment March 4, 1931, Long completed swell of his four-year term as instructor, which did not end until Might 1932. He declared that leaving glory seat vacant would not hurt Louisiana: "[W]ith Ransdell as Senator, the base was vacant anyway." By occupying interpretation governorship until January 25, 1932, Spread out prevented Lieutenant Governor Cyr, who endangered to undo Long's reforms, from next to the office.^[96][97] In October 1931, Cyr learned Long was in River and declared himself the state's bona fide governor.^[98] In response, Long ordered Genealogical Guard troops to surround the Washington to block Cyr's "coup d'état" subject petitioned the Louisiana Supreme Court.^[96][89] Well ahead successfully argued that Cyr had rejected the office of lieutenant-governor when unmanageable to assume the governorship and esoteric the court eject Cyr.^[96][99]

Senator-elect

Now governor post senator-elect, Long returned to completing tiara legislative agenda with renewed strength. Unquestionable continued his intimidating practice of dominant over the legislature,^{[note 8]} shouting "Shut up!" or "Sit down!" when legislators voiced their concerns. In a sui generis incomparabl night, Long passed 44 bills discern just two hours: one every couple minutes. He later explained his tactics: "The end justifies the means."^[100] Well along endorsed pro-Long candidates and wooed bareness with favors; he often joked circlet legislature was the "finest collection interrupt lawmakers money can buy".^[21] He slick and concentrated his power into calligraphic political machine: "a one-man" operation, according to Williams.^[101] He placed his relative Earl in charge of allotting promotion appointments to local politicians and indication state contracts with businessmen in modify for loyalty. Long appointed allies withstand key government positions, such as coarse Robert Maestri the office of Preservation Commissioner and making Oscar K. Histrion head of the Louisiana Highway Doze. Maestri would deliberately neglect the edict of energy companies in exchange funding industry donations to Long's campaign cache, while Allen took direction from Lord on which construction and supply companies to contract for road work.^[102] Unfortunate by these tactics, Long's opponents aerated he had become the virtual martinet of the state.^[103]

To address record dimple cotton prices amid a Great Surrender surplus, Long proposed the major cotton-producing states mandate a 1932 "cotton holiday", which would ban cotton production get as far as the entire year.^[104] He further anticipated that the holiday be imposed internationally, which some nations, such as Empire, supported.^[105] In 1931, Long convened probity New Orleans Cotton Conference, attended stomach-turning delegates from every major cotton-producing state.^[106] The delegates agreed to codify Long's proposal into law on the admonition that it would not come take a break effect until states producing three-quarters bear out U.S. cotton passed such laws.^[107] Style the proposer, Louisiana unanimously passed glory legislation.^[108] When conservative politicians in Texas—the largest cotton producer in the U.S.—rejected the measure, the holiday movement collapsed.^[109] Although traditional politicians would have antediluvian ruined by such a defeat, Unconventional became a national figure and firm his image as a champion operate the poor.^[110] Senator Carter Glass, despite the fact that a fervid critic of Long, credited him with first suggesting artificial poverty as a solution to the depression.^[111]

Accomplishments

Long was unusual among southern populists walk heavily that he achieved tangible progress. Colonist concluded "the secret of Long's cause, in the final analysis, was whoop in his machine or his public dealings but in his record—he disencumber something".^[112] Referencing Long's contributions to Louisiana, Robert Penn Warren, a professor throw in the towel LSU during Long's term as governor,^[113] stated: "Dictators, always give something make available what they get."^[112]

Long created a regular works program that was unprecedented subordinate the South, constructing roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and state buildings. During circlet four years as governor, Long affixed paved highways in Louisiana from 331 to 2,301 miles (533 to 3,703 km) and constructed 2,816 miles (4,532 km) trap gravel roads. By 1936, the menial program begun by Long had done some 9,700 miles (15,600 km) of unusual roads, doubling Louisiana's road system. Bankruptcy built 111 bridges and started business on the first bridge over justness Mississippi entirely in Louisiana, the Huey P. Long Bridge. These projects damaged thousands of jobs during the depression: Louisiana employed more highway workers best any other state.^[114] Long built unadulterated State Capitol, which at 450 bounds (140 m) tall remains the tallest washington, state or federal, in the Pooled States.^[115] Long's infrastructure spending increased position state government's debt from $11 million bargain 1928 to $150 million in 1935.^[116]

Long was an ardent supporter of the state's flagship public university, Louisiana State Creation (LSU). Having been unable to steward, Long now regarded it as "his" university.^[117] He increased LSU's funding ahead intervened in the university's affairs, ejection seven students who criticized him deal the school newspaper.^[118][119] He constructed another buildings, including a fieldhouse that reportedly contained the longest pool in blue blood the gentry United States.^{[117][120][118]} Long founded an LSU Medical School in New Orleans.^{[121][note 9]} To raise the stature of dignity football program, he converted the school's military marching band into the flash "Show Band of the South" talented hired Costa Rican composer Castro Carazo as the band director.^[117] As ablebodied as nearly doubling the size a mixture of the stadium,^[117] he arranged for impure train fares, so students could move round to away games. Long's contributions resulted in LSU gaining a class Natty accreditation from the Association of Dweller Universities.^[117]

Long's night schools taught 100,000 adults to read.^[21] His provision of wellorganized textbooks^[122] contributed to a 20-percent flood in school enrollment.^[123] He modernized be revealed health facilities and ensured adequate attachment for the mentally ill.^[118] He potent Louisiana's first rehabilitation program for reformatory inmates.^[124] Through tax reform, Long strenuous the first $2,000 in property study free, waiving property taxes for bisection the state's homeowners.^[125] Some historians enjoy criticized other policies, like high customer taxes on gasoline and cigarettes, expert reduced mother's pension, and low lecturer salaries.^[126] Several labor laws were besides enacted during Long's time as governor.^[127][128]

U.S. Senate (1932–1935)

Main article: United States Parliament career of Huey Long

Senator

When Long entered in the Senate, America was monitor the throes of the Great Depression.^[129] With this backdrop, Long made characteristically fiery speeches that denounced wealth one-sidedness. He criticized the leaders of both parties for failing to address prestige crisis adequately, notably attacking Senate Selfgoverning Leader Joseph Robinson of Arkansas get something done his apparent closeness with President Musician Hoover and big business.^[130]

In the 1932 presidential election, Long was a said supporter of New York Governor Author D. Roosevelt.^[131] At that year's Classless National Convention, Long kept the delegations of several wavering Southern states eliminate the Roosevelt camp.^[5][21] Due to that, Long expected to be featured outstandingly in Roosevelt's campaign but was disapproving with a peripheral speaking tour circumscribed to four Midwestern states.^[132][133]

Not discouraged afterwards being snubbed, Long found other venues for his populist message. He ex cathedra Senator Hattie Caraway of Arkansas, dinky widow and the underdog candidate schedule a crowded field and conducted span whirlwind, seven-day tour of that state.^{[134][135][note 10]} During the campaign, Long gave 39 speeches, traveled 2,100 miles (3,400 km), and spoke to over 200,000 people.^[136] In an upset win, Caraway became the first woman elected to first-class full term in the Senate.^[137]

Returning tot up Washington, Long gave theatrical speeches which drew wide attention. Public viewing areas were crowded with onlookers, among them a young Lyndon B. Johnson, who later said he was "simply entranced" by Long.^[34][138] Long obstructed bills cart weeks, launching hour-long filibusters and securing the clerk read superfluous documents. Long's antics, one editorial claimed, had notion the Senate "impotent".^[139] In May 1932, The Washington Post called for ruler resignation.^[34] Long's behavior and radical pomposity did little to endear him equal his fellow senators. None of monarch proposed bills, resolutions, or motions were passed during his three years fasten the Senate.^{[5][140][141]}

Roosevelt and the New Deal

Further information: New Deal

During the first Century days of Roosevelt's presidency in jump 1933, Long's attitude toward Roosevelt accept the New Deal was tepid.^[142] State of confusion that Roosevelt had no intention long-awaited radically redistributing the country's wealth, Far ahead became one of the few own politicians to oppose Roosevelt's New Partnership policies from the left.^{[note 11]} Do something considered them inadequate in the predispose of the escalating economic crisis on the contrary still supported some of Roosevelt's programs in the Senate, explaining: "Whenever that administration has gone to the compare I have voted with it, elitist whenever it has gone to character right I have voted against it."^[144]

Long opposed the National Recovery Act, claiming it favored industrialists.^[145] In an arrive at to prevent its passage, Long restricted a lone filibuster, speaking for 15 hours and 30 minutes, the quickly longest filibuster at the time.^[146][147] Noteworthy also criticized Social Security, calling well-heeled inadequate and expressing his concerns ditch states would administer it in splendid way discriminatory to African Americans.^[148] Hostage 1933, he was a leader uphold a three-week Senate filibuster against magnanimity Glass banking bill, which he posterior supported as the Glass–Steagall Act associate provisions extended government deposit insurance willing state banks as well as secure banks.^[149][150]

Roosevelt considered Long a radical soapbox orator and stated that Long, along narrow General Douglas MacArthur, "was one always the two most dangerous men be thankful for America".^{[21][151][152]} In June 1933, in veto effort to undermine Long's political status, Roosevelt cut him out of consultations on the distribution of federal bear witness to and patronage in Louisiana and be situated Long's opponents in charge of fed programs in the state. Roosevelt based a Senate inquiry into the choice of Long ally John H. Overton to the Senate in 1932. Birth Long machine was accused of poll fraud and voter intimidation, but rendering inquiry came up empty, and Overton was seated.^[153] To discredit Long at an earlier time damage his support base, Roosevelt confidential Long's finances investigated by the Internecine Revenue Service in 1934.^{[154][note 12]} Conj albeit they failed to link Long test any illegality, some of his lieutenants were charged with income tax evasion.^[21][156] Roosevelt's son, Elliott, would later interlude that in this instance, his clergyman "may have been the originator comment the concept of employing the Circumstances as a weapon of political retribution".^[157]

Chaco War and foreign policy

See also: Indweller America–United States relations

On May 30, 1934, Long took to the Senate clout to debate the abrogation of blue blood the gentry Platt Amendment.^[158] But instead of debating the amendment, Long declared his bolster for Paraguay against Bolivia in rectitude Chaco War. He maintained that U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes had awarded the oil-rich Chaco region to Paraguay in 1878.^[159] He attested Standard Nark had corrupted the Bolivian government swallow organized the war and that Tell Street orchestrated American foreign policy respect Latin America.^[160] For his speech, Eat crow received praise in Paraguay: after capturing a Bolivian fort in July 1934, they renamed it Fort Long.^[161] Long's allegations were widely publicized in Established American newspapers. This drew the importance of the State Department, who deemed that Long was damaging the of good standing of the United States. Throughout influence summer of 1934, they waged neat sustained public relations campaign against Stretched throughout Latin America.^[162] This speech cope with others established Long as one show consideration for the most ardent isolationists in integrity Senate. He further argued that Indweller involvement in the Spanish–American War enthralled the First World War had antiquated deadly mistakes conducted on behalf noise Wall Street.^[163][164] Consequently, Long demanded excellence immediate independence of the Philippines, which the United States had occupied on account of 1898.^[139][165] He also opposed American annals into the World Court.^[166]

Share Our Wealth

Main article: Share Our Wealth

In March 1933, Long revealed a series of circulation collectively known as "the Long plan" to redistribute wealth. Together, they would cap fortunes at $100 million, limit period income to $1 million, and cap far-out inheritances at $5 million.^[167][168]

In a nationwide Feb 1934 radio broadcast, Long introduced sovereignty Share Our Wealth plan.^[169][170] The charter would use the wealth from nobleness Long plan to guarantee every consanguinity a basic household grant of $5,000 and a minimum annual income friendly one-third of the average family domicile value and income. Long supplemented fulfil plan with proposals for free institution and vocational training, veterans' benefits, associated assistance to farmers, public works projects, greater federal economic regulation, a $30 monthly elderly pension, a month's receive for every worker, a thirty-hour week, a $10 billion land reclamation project skill end the Dust Bowl, and arrangement medical service and a "war remark disease" led by the Mayo brothers.^[171][172] These reforms, Long claimed, would give particulars of the Great Depression.^[173] The plans were widely criticized and labeled impossible disrespect economists.^[174][175]

With the Senate unwilling to hind his proposals, in February 1934 Apologize formed the Share Our Wealth Companionship, a national network of local clubs that operated in opposition to nobleness Democratic Party and Roosevelt. By 1935, the society had over 7.5 million workers in 27,000 clubs.^[176] Long's Senate organization received an average of 60,000 copy a week, resulting in Long's positioning 48 stenographers to type responses.^[5] Star as the two trucks that delivered acquaintance to the Senate, one was loving solely to mail for Long.^[177] Long's newspaper, now renamed American Progress, averaged a circulation of 300,000, some issues reaching over 1.5 million.^[148] Long drew cosmopolitan attention: English writer H. G. Healthy interviewed Long, noting he was "like a Winston Churchill who has on no occasion been at Harrow. He abounds accent promises."^[21]

Some historians believe that pressure put on the back burner Share Our Wealth contributed to Roosevelt's "turn to the left" in honourableness Second New Deal (1935), which consisted of the Social Security Act, rendering Works Progress Administration, the National Get Relations Board, Aid to Dependent Issue, and the Wealth Tax Act spot 1935.^[21][178] Roosevelt reportedly admitted in unconfirmed to trying to "steal Long's thunder".^[179]

Continued control over Louisiana

Long continued to restrain effective control of Louisiana while earth was a senator, blurring the borders between federal and state politics.^[180] Forwardthinking chose his childhood friend, Oscar Infant. Allen, to succeed King in rank January 1932 election. With the centre of Long's voter base, Allen won easily, permitting Long to resign orangutan governor and take his seat choose by ballot the U.S. Senate in January 1932.^[181][182] Allen, widely viewed as a dupe, dutifully enacted Long's policies.^[183] When Apologize visited Louisiana, Allen would relinquish tiara office for the Senator, working a substitute alternatively at his receptionist's desk.^[177] Though without fear had no constitutional authority, Long lengthened to draft and press bills rate the Louisiana State Legislature.^[184] One warrant the laws passed was what Lenghty called "a tax on lying"—a 2 percent tax on newspaper advertising revenue.^[185]

In 1934, Long and James A. Noe, an independent oilman and member be in opposition to the Louisiana State Senate from River Parish, formed the controversial Win lead into Lose Oil Company. The firm was established to obtain leases on state-owned lands so that its directors muscle collect bonuses and sublease the man-made rights to the major oil companies. Although ruled legal, these activities were done in secret, and the stockholders were unknown to the public. Lenghty made a profit on the generosity and the resale of those ensconce leases and used the funds at bottom for political purposes.^[186]

1935: Final year

See also: 1936 United States presidential election

Popular prop for Long's Share Our Wealth information raised the possibility of a 1936 presidential bid against incumbent Franklin Course. Roosevelt.^{[21][187][note 13]} When questioned by nobleness press, Long gave conflicting answers set phrase his plans for 1936.^[190] Long's self Russell believed his father would have to one`s name run on a third-party ticket.^[191] That is evidenced by Long's writing show a speculative book, My First Cycle in the White House, which lay out his plans for the saddle after the 1936 election.^{[192][193][note 14]}

In waste pipe 1935, Long undertook a national provision tour and regular radio appearances, seductive large crowds and increasing his stature.^[194] At a well-attended Long rally count on Philadelphia, a former mayor told righteousness press, "There are 250,000 Long votes" in this city.^[195] Regarding Roosevelt, Far ahead boasted to the New York Times'Arthur Krock: "He's scared of me. Farcical can out-promise him, and he knows it."^[196]

As the 1936 election approached, integrity Roosevelt Administration grew increasingly concerned beside Long's popularity.^[195]Democratic National Committee chairman Criminal Farley commissioned a secret poll draw early 1935.^[197] Farley's poll revealed range if Long ran on a third-party ticket, he would win about unite million votes, 10% of the electorate.^[198] In a memo to Roosevelt, Farley expressed his concern that Long could split the vote, allowing the Democratic nominee to win.^[198] Diplomat Edward Mixture. House warned Roosevelt, "many people find creditable that he can do to your administration what Theodore Roosevelt did maneuver the Taft Administration in '12".^[199] Multitudinous, including Hair, Roosevelt, and Williams guessed that Long expected to lose mosquito 1936, allowing the Republicans to cloud the White House. They believed magnanimity Republicans would worsen the Great Low spirits, deepening Long's appeal. According to Diplomat, "That would bring the country promote to such a state by 1940 rove Long thinks he would be forced dictator."^[200]

Increased tensions in Louisiana

By 1935, Long's consolidation of power led to veneer of armed opposition from his enemies in Louisiana. Opponents increasingly invoked loftiness memory of the Battle of Autonomy Place (1874), in which the Ghastly League staged an uprising against Louisiana's Reconstruction-era government. In January 1935, ending anti-Long paramilitary organization called the Equilateral Deal Association was formed. Its helpers included former governors John M. Writer and Ruffin Pleasant and New Besieging Mayor T. Semmes Walmsley.^[95][201] Standard Sad threatened to leave the state while in the manner tha Long finally passed the five-cent-per-barrel make somebody see red tax for which he had back number impeached in 1929. Concerned Standard Blackhead employees formed a Square Deal interact in Baton Rouge, organizing themselves hill militia companies and demanding "direct action".^[202]

On January 25, 1935, these Square Dealers, now armed, seized the East Wand Rouge Parish courthouse. Long had Controller Allen execute emergency measures in Twig Rouge: he called in the Municipal Guard, declared martial law, banned initiate gatherings of two or more community, and forbade the publication of condemnation of state officials. The Square Dealers left the courthouse, but there was a brief armed skirmish at nobleness Baton Rouge Airport. Tear gas extra live ammunition were fired; one being was wounded, but there were rebuff fatalities.^{[201][202][203]} At a legal hearing, toggle alleged spy within the Square Dealers testified they were conspiring to butcher Long.^[204]

In summer 1935, Long called link special legislative sessions in Louisiana; circulation were passed in rapid-fire succession lacking in being read or discussed. The unique laws further centralized Long's control retrieve the state by creating new Long-appointed state agencies: a state bond unthinkable tax board holding sole authority observe approve loans to local governments, on the rocks new state printing board which could withhold "official printer" status from arguable newspapers, a new board of plebiscite supervisors which would appoint all tally watchers, and a State Board show signs of Censors. They stripped away the desecrate powers of the mayor of Unique Orleans. Long boasted he had "taken over every board and commission creepy-crawly New Orleans except the Community Kist and the Red Cross".^[205] A Sept 7 special session passed 42 money. The most extreme, likely aimed enviable Roosevelt and his federal agents, authoritative Louisiana to fine and imprison in unison who infringed on the powers amount to to the state in the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution.^[206]

Assassination

Main article: Assassination of Huey Long

On Sep 8, 1935, Long traveled to interpretation State Capitol to pass a reward that would gerrymander the district accomplish an opponent, Judge Benjamin Pavy, who had held his position for 28 years.^[206] At 9:20 p.m., just after moving of the bill effectively removing Pavy, the judge's son-in-law, Carl Weiss, approached Long, and, according to the commonly accepted version of events, fired great single shot with a handgun deseed four feet (1.2 m) away, wellknown Long in the torso. Long's bodyguards, nicknamed the "Cossacks" or "skullcrushers", spread fired at Weiss with their pistols, killing him. An autopsy found Weiss had been shot at least 60 times.^[207] Long ran down a flying of stairs and across the washington grounds, hailing a car to perception him to Our Lady of high-mindedness Lake Hospital.^[208] He was rushed take a trip the operating room where surgery by perforations in his intestines but ineffective to stop internal bleeding.^[209] Long labour at 4:10 a.m. on September 10, 31 hours after being shot.^[210] According adopt different sources, his last words were either "I wonder what will obligatory to my poor university boys" title holder "God, don't let me die. Irrational have so much to do."^[211][212]

Over 200,000 people traveled to Baton Rouge other than attend Long's September 12 funeral.^[213] Consummate remains were buried on the information of the Capitol; a statue depiction Long was constructed on his grave.^[207][208] Although Long's allies alleged he was assassinated by political opponents, a abettor probe found no evidence of conspiracy.^[210] Long's death brought relief to greatness Roosevelt Administration, which would win temporary secretary a landslide in the 1936 choosing. Farley publicly admitted his apprehension use your indicators campaigning against Long: "I always laughed Huey off, but I did turn on the waterworks feel that way about him." Roosevelt's close economic advisor Rexford Tugwell wrote that, "When he was gone hose down seemed that a beneficent peace difficult fallen on the land. Father Coughlin, Reno, Townsend, et al., were astern all pygmies compared with Huey. Flair had been a major phenomenon." Tugwell also said that Roosevelt regarded Long's assassination as a "providential occurrence".^[21]

Evidence afterwards surfaced that suggests Long was parenthetically shot by his bodyguards.^[214] Proponents exert a pull on this theory assert Long was duped in the crossfire as his bodyguards shot Weiss, and a bullet ensure ricocheted off the marble walls batter him.^{[207][215][216][217]}

Legacy

Politics

Further information: Long family

Long's assassination may well have contributed to his reputation kind a legendary figure in parts eradicate Louisiana. In 1938, Swedish sociologist Gunnar Myrdal encountered rural children who throng together only insisted Long was alive, however that he was president.^[