Huey Pierce Long Jr.Huey Pierce Long Jr.““The Kingfish”The Kingfish”

Throughout American History, there have been controversial leaders. Throughout American History, there have been controversial leaders. Without a doubt, Louisiana Governor and Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr. Without a doubt, Louisiana Governor and Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr. falls in that category. As a native of Winn Parish, this Louisiana falls in that category. As a native of Winn Parish, this Louisiana politician brought two things to the state, controversy and change. It politician brought two things to the state, controversy and change. It was often said that there were two types of citizens in Louisiana during was often said that there were two types of citizens in Louisiana during his tenure …. his tenure …. Those who loved him and those who hated him. Those who loved him and those who hated him. With With Long’s legacy, there didn’t seem many who hosted indifferent feelings Long’s legacy, there didn’t seem many who hosted indifferent feelings toward him. One thing is obvious however, Huey P. Long’s infamous toward him. One thing is obvious however, Huey P. Long’s infamous reputation will long be remembered in Louisiana Government.reputation will long be remembered in Louisiana Government.

Huey P. Long was nicknamed “The Kingfish.” He was an American Huey P. Long was nicknamed “The Kingfish.” He was an American politician from Louisiana. He served as Governor of Louisiana from 1928 politician from Louisiana. He served as Governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932. He then was elected as a U.S. Senator and served from 1932 to 1932. He then was elected as a U.S. Senator and served from 1932 to 1935to 1935. .

Huey Pierce Long was born on August 30, 1893, in Winnfield, Louisiana. Huey Pierce Long was born on August 30, 1893, in Winnfield, Louisiana. He was the son of Huey Pierce Long, Sr and Caledonia Palestine Tison He was the son of Huey Pierce Long, Sr and Caledonia Palestine Tison Long. Long was the seventh of nine children in a farm-owning middle-Long. Long was the seventh of nine children in a farm-owning middle-class family. class family.

He attended local schools, where he was an excellent student. Long He attended local schools, where he was an excellent student. Long won a debating scholarship to Louisiana State University, however won a debating scholarship to Louisiana State University, however money posed problems and he was unable to afford the textbooks money posed problems and he was unable to afford the textbooks required courses. He then decided to work. Long spent the next four required courses. He then decided to work. Long spent the next four years as a traveling salesman, selling books, canned goods and patent years as a traveling salesman, selling books, canned goods and patent medicines, and even working as an auctioneer.medicines, and even working as an auctioneer.

In 1913, Huey Long married Rose McConnell. The Long couple had In 1913, Huey Long married Rose McConnell. The Long couple had a daughter, also named Rose, and two sons, Russell and Palmer.a daughter, also named Rose, and two sons, Russell and Palmer.Long briefly attended the University of Oklahoma School of Law. Long briefly attended the University of Oklahoma School of Law. Later, he attended Tulane University Law School in New Orleans. Later, he attended Tulane University Law School in New Orleans.

In 1915, he convinced a board to let him take the bar exam after only In 1915, he convinced a board to let him take the bar exam after only a year at Tulane. He passed and began private practice in Winnfield. a year at Tulane. He passed and began private practice in Winnfield. Later then spent 10 years representing small plaintiffs against large Later then spent 10 years representing small plaintiffs against large businesses. He often said proudly that he never took a case against businesses. He often said proudly that he never took a case against a poor man.a poor man.

Long took on the powerful Standard Oil Company, which he sued for Long took on the powerful Standard Oil Company, which he sued for unfair business practices. Throughout his career, Long continued to unfair business practices. Throughout his career, Long continued to challenge Standard Oil's influence in state politics. He charged the challenge Standard Oil's influence in state politics. He charged the company with exploiting the state's vast oil and gas resources.company with exploiting the state's vast oil and gas resources.

In 1918, Long was elected to the Louisiana Railroad Commission at In 1918, Long was elected to the Louisiana Railroad Commission at the age of twenty-five on an anti-Standard Oil platform. Long ran for the age of twenty-five on an anti-Standard Oil platform. Long ran for governor of Louisiana in the election of 1924. In that campaign, he governor of Louisiana in the election of 1924. In that campaign, he became one of the first Southern politicians to use radio addresses became one of the first Southern politicians to use radio addresses and sound trucks. Long lost that election, but didn’t give up on a and sound trucks. Long lost that election, but didn’t give up on a political career.political career.

In 1928 he again ran for governor, campaigning with the slogan, In 1928 he again ran for governor, campaigning with the slogan, "Every man a king, but no one wears a crown.” Long campaigned "Every man a king, but no one wears a crown.” Long campaigned throughout the state and made his way to rural areas as well. After throughout the state and made his way to rural areas as well. After losing first race for governor in 1924, he worked to get farmers’ votes losing first race for governor in 1924, he worked to get farmers’ votes in Louisiana. He won by tapping into the class resentment of rural in Louisiana. He won by tapping into the class resentment of rural Louisianans by offering hope for a better future. Long made promises Louisianans by offering hope for a better future. Long made promises to poor voters for more money by taxing the rich. Again, he used to poor voters for more money by taxing the rich. Again, he used radio to spread his campaign and trucks carrying sound systems. radio to spread his campaign and trucks carrying sound systems.

As Governor, Huey Long brought some positive changes to Louisiana. As Governor, Huey Long brought some positive changes to Louisiana. He changed laws to allow the state to borrow money to build better He changed laws to allow the state to borrow money to build better roads for automobiles. Long began an unprecedented public works roads for automobiles. Long began an unprecedented public works program, building roads, bridges, hospitals and educational institutions. program, building roads, bridges, hospitals and educational institutions. He worked to pave some roads in every parish. During his tenure, he He worked to pave some roads in every parish. During his tenure, he provided free textbooks to all schoolchildren. Before this time, students provided free textbooks to all schoolchildren. Before this time, students had to buy their own school books. Long helped the poor and farmers by had to buy their own school books. Long helped the poor and farmers by removing the poll tax and providing homestead. removing the poll tax and providing homestead.

During the course of his governorship, he did however gain powerful During the course of his governorship, he did however gain powerful enemies. In order to pay for his promised programs, he worked to enemies. In order to pay for his promised programs, he worked to increase taxes on “big businesses.” He was known to use tough political increase taxes on “big businesses.” He was known to use tough political strategies to force other politicians to do what he wanted and control strategies to force other politicians to do what he wanted and control issues.issues.

In 1929, impeachment proceedings were started against Long in the In 1929, impeachment proceedings were started against Long in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Long’s brother, Earl, was able to Louisiana House of Representatives. Long’s brother, Earl, was able to get enough senators to sign a “Round Robin” document to block the get enough senators to sign a “Round Robin” document to block the governor’s removal from office. governor’s removal from office.

Long worked to expand Louisiana State University. He also wanted Long worked to expand Louisiana State University. He also wanted control. When staff and students at LSU openly disagreed with him on control. When staff and students at LSU openly disagreed with him on issues, he fired them or had students expelled.issues, he fired them or had students expelled.

While still the Louisiana Governor, he won the senate campaign in 1930. While still the Louisiana Governor, he won the senate campaign in 1930. Though he left the office of Governor, he was able to manipulate the Though he left the office of Governor, he was able to manipulate the situation to make sure he controlled who would be the next governor. O. situation to make sure he controlled who would be the next governor. O. K. Allen took office as Governor and continued Long’s expansion of K. Allen took office as Governor and continued Long’s expansion of social programs such as hospitals and schools. social programs such as hospitals and schools.

As a new senator, Long attracted attention. Long created the “Share Our As a new senator, Long attracted attention. Long created the “Share Our Wealth” program in 1934, with the motto "Every Man a King" proposing Wealth” program in 1934, with the motto "Every Man a King" proposing new wealth redistribution measures. His “Share Our Wealth” program new wealth redistribution measures. His “Share Our Wealth” program was Long’s plan to give money to the poor and elderly.was Long’s plan to give money to the poor and elderly.In speeches, he often called wealthy people “greedy” and wanted to limit In speeches, he often called wealthy people “greedy” and wanted to limit their income because “they couldn’t use all they had and should have to their income because “they couldn’t use all they had and should have to share with everyone.” share with everyone.”

Long agreed with President Roosevelt on many issues however, he Long agreed with President Roosevelt on many issues however, he clashed with him as well. Roosevelt’s New Deal plans included many clashed with him as well. Roosevelt’s New Deal plans included many ideas to help the poor overcome the hardships of the Great Depression ideas to help the poor overcome the hardships of the Great Depression Long’s ideas of “sharing the wealth” were similar to Roosevelt’s social Long’s ideas of “sharing the wealth” were similar to Roosevelt’s social security system and minimum wage ideas.security system and minimum wage ideas.

After Long became a Senator, he traveled to Baton Rouge often and was still After Long became a Senator, he traveled to Baton Rouge often and was still in control of Louisiana’s government. Though a backer of Franklin D. in control of Louisiana’s government. Though a backer of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election, Long split with Roosevelt in June Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election, Long split with Roosevelt in June 1933 and allegedly planned his own presidential bid. 1933 and allegedly planned his own presidential bid.

It is believed that to punish a political enemy, Long wanted to draw election It is believed that to punish a political enemy, Long wanted to draw election lines to help one of his friends defeat Judge Benjamin Pavy. Judge Pavy’s son-lines to help one of his friends defeat Judge Benjamin Pavy. Judge Pavy’s son-in-law, twenty eight year old, Dr. Carl Weiss went see Long at the state in-law, twenty eight year old, Dr. Carl Weiss went see Long at the state capitol on September 8, 1935. Huey P. Long was shot that day. Although capitol on September 8, 1935. Huey P. Long was shot that day. Although accounts of the September 8, 1935 murder differ, most believe that Long was accounts of the September 8, 1935 murder differ, most believe that Long was shot once or twice by medical doctor Carl Austin Weiss in the Capitol building shot once or twice by medical doctor Carl Austin Weiss in the Capitol building in Baton Rouge. Weiss was immediately shot sixty-one times by Long's in Baton Rouge. Weiss was immediately shot sixty-one times by Long's bodyguards and police on the scene. Evidence suggests that Weiss shot Long bodyguards and police on the scene. Evidence suggests that Weiss shot Long and Long’s bodyguards killed Weiss.and Long’s bodyguards killed Weiss.

At the height of his popularity, Huey Pierce Long died on September 10, 1935, two At the height of his popularity, Huey Pierce Long died on September 10, 1935, two days after being shot, at the age of 42. His last words were reportedlydays after being shot, at the age of 42. His last words were reportedly, "God, don't let , "God, don't let me die. I have so much left to do.”me die. I have so much left to do.”

American History has had its share of controversial leaders, including Louisiana American History has had its share of controversial leaders, including Louisiana Governor and Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr. It is common knowledge that throughout Governor and Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr. It is common knowledge that throughout political career, controversy was an embedded part of his legacy. Along with that political career, controversy was an embedded part of his legacy. Along with that however, Long’s legacy also brought change to Louisiana. No matter what else is said however, Long’s legacy also brought change to Louisiana. No matter what else is said or written about him, he will also always be remembered as the Louisiana Governor or written about him, he will also always be remembered as the Louisiana Governor who brought paved roads, bridges, hospitals and free books to school children in this who brought paved roads, bridges, hospitals and free books to school children in this southern state. One thing is certain, with his colorful character, his work to bring southern state. One thing is certain, with his colorful character, his work to bring changes to the state; Huey Pierce Long Jr. is the most famous Louisiana Governor the changes to the state; Huey Pierce Long Jr. is the most famous Louisiana Governor the state has ever produced.state has ever produced.

BACKGROUND PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA (FREE DOMAIN)