Biography of Huey Long - Essay Example

Biography of Huey Long Huey Pierce Long rose from a seventeen-year-old salesperson, became a United s senator, and finished studying law in two years time. He became a radically outspoken senator in Louisiana and forcibly called for reforms during the great depression in 1933. He earned a nickname as the “Kingfish” out of his motto that stated every man is a king. He always fought for the rights of the poor people although many people regarded him as a demagogue. He was later assassinated in 1935. His political influence is still felt decades after his death. He came up with an idea of “share our wealth” where he wanted to confiscate the wealth of rich and privileged people in US. This paper will discuss the biography of Huey Pierce Long and his career as a senator of Louisiana. Early life of Huey Long Huey was born on 30th august 1893 at Winn parish in Winnfield, a small town at the north of the state (Collins and Smith 1). His father was Senior Huey Pierce Long (1852-1937), and a descendant of Tison William and Sarah Tison. Huey attended local schools at his young age, where he became a brilliant student. He was later expelled from school in 1908 after protesting against the 12th grade requirement for graduation. He had won a scholarship to Louisiana University, but did not afford textbooks to attend. He spent four years as a salesperson selling canned goods, books, patent medicine and as an auctioneer (Collins and Smith 2). In 1913, he got married to Rose McConnell, who was a stenographer. They got two sons Russel and Palmer and a daughter named Rose. During World War 1, the sales job became scarce and Long decided to attend Oklahoma Baptist University for seminary classes. He later joined the law school at Tulane University in New Orleans. Having studied law for one year at Tulane University, he took the state bar exam where he passed well and began private practice of law at Winnfield. He worked for 10 years representing plaintiffs against enormous businesses. He never took cases involving poor people. He became famous when he took on standard oil company for unacceptable business practices. He continued to challenge the company’s influence over the state politics and exploitation of the oil and gas deposits in the state (Boulard 49). Politics At the age of 25, Long was appointed in Louisiana railroad commission in 1918 based on anti-standard oil company platform in 1918. He utilized the position at this commission to perfect his political career. He was a strong opponent of enormous utility and oil companies and fought against pipeline monopolies and rates increases (Boulard 50). One of the achievements in this commission was winning the case against Cumberland Telegraph and Telephone Company. The company was charged for increasing rates unfairly; more than 80,000 customers were refunded more than $ 440,000. In 1924, Long vied for the post of governorship at Louisiana (Williams 65). During his campaigns, he attacked standard oil, Parker and the existing political hierarchy at the state and local level. He lost the election, and cited that the voter turnout was suppressed by rain during the election date (Williams 67). He pointed out that muddy roads made the voters unable to turn up in large numbers. He was reelected in public service commission. After spending four years rebuilding his political reputation, Long vied for governorship again at Louisiana. He developed his famous slogan “every man is a king but never wears crowns.” He campaigned mostly in rural areas, in Louisiana, as the rural population comprised of more than 60 % of total population in the region. He won the Democratic Party elections, and later the general elections. When he got into the office in 1928, he consolidated his powers and fired many opponents in the heads of departments, cabinet level heads and board members. He began to implement his campaign promises through building roads, hospitals, bridges, and educational institutions. He advocated for increased taxes on refined oil, to be used for funding social programs. There was an impeachment attempt, when Long was accused of corruption, misuse of funds and bribery, but the impeachment never succeeded (Boulard 65). After the failed impeachment, he became strict in dealing with his political opponents. He dismissed the relatives and families of his political opponents from their offices. In 1930, Long came up with proposals of constructing new capitol building and road-building initiative. However, he did not succeed as the state legislature rejected his proposals. He responded to the defeat by indicating that he would run for senator in 1930. He won the seat by defeating Joseph Ransdell, the incumbent senator. He continued serving as both a senator and governor in Louisiana. As a governor, he was an ardent supporter of Louisiana state university. He managed to influence the funding of the university. He also increased the enrollment of the university to accommodate children from poor families. In October 1931, Lieutenant governor Cyr challenged Long’s position as a senator elect and a governor (Boulard 50). In response, Long ordered the state’s national troops to contain the state capitol to fend off the ideas of Cyr. In 1932, Long chose Oscar Kelly Allen, his childhood friend to succeed him. He won easily as he had support from Long; this made Long take his seat officially as the US senator. From 1932 to 1935, Huey Long served as a senator and played a vital role in the American history. During the great depression, he made speeches that denounced the accumulation of wealth among few people in United States. He blamed party leaders for failing to control the crisis adequately. He personally accused Senator Joseph Robinson who was close to President Herbert Hoover and owned large businesses. Huey supported Franklin Roosevelt in 1932 presidential elections (Dethloff 84). They both had the same policies of redistributing wealth to end the depression. He was essential in maintaining the delegations from different states at the Roosevelt camp. However, Roosevelt disappointed him during the campaigns. He managed to use other avenues to air out his populist message. Roosevelt termed Long as a radical demagogue arguing that he could be termed as a dangerous man in United States (Dethloff 85). His popularity and rise in politics was compared to that of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. Long was accused of voter intimidation and election fraud following his election in 1932. His finances, along with other close friends were investigated, but none of the investigations linked Long to corruption. None of the bills proposed by Long was passed in the senate for three years. He opposed the involvement of United States in the First World War and the Spanish-American war arguing that they were deadly mistakes committed by the country (Dethloff 87). “Share our wealth” was one of the controversial ideas proposed by Huey Pierce Long (White 198). He believed that the Federal Reserve Bank was the main cause of the great depression. Long came up with proposed legislation that would cap earnings, personal fortunes and inheritances. He argued that there was enough wealth for every citizen in United States. In his plan, Long suggested that personal fortunes should be capped to $ 50 million, and annual income should be limited to $ 1 million. He also proposed that inheritance be capped to $ 5 million. The other money would then be distributed to households, with each household obtaining $ 5000 annually. The other plans proposed by Long included; free college education, old-age pensions, public works projects, veterans’ benefits, and regulation of economic activities by the federal government. The other propositions made by Long included every worker to have a one month vacation annually, funding farmers, and setting 30 hours per week as the maximum working hours to boost employment. He denied that his ideas were socialists’ (White 200). When the senate refused to adopt his ideas, he formed a national organization known as “share wealth society.” By 1935, the organization had about 7.5 million followers in more than 27000 clubs, in the country. He proposed the second new deal that had proposals like the social security act and national youth administration and works progress administration among others (White 203). As a senator, Long continued to control Louisiana, and affected the boundary between the state and federal politics. His presidential ambitions started way back when he was a salesperson. He laid his presidential plans in his autobiography entitled “Every man a king” and his book entitled “My first days at the white house.” At Louisiana, Huey Long had a lot of influence and control. His opponents formed an army, and in January 1935, a paramilitary organization known as square deal association was formed against Long. The members of the organization included governors Ruffin Pleasant, John Parker and Mayor Semmes Walmsley. At one time during the summer, he called for special sessions in the legislature where bills were passed without any reading or discussion. These laws centralized control of Huey in the state. The laws created several state agencies including a tax board and state bond with sole authority of approving loans to municipal governments and parish. Long indicated that he had taken over the commissions and boards in New Orleans apart from the Red Cross and community chest. Long quarreled with many state senators including Henry Hardtner, the senator of La Salle parish. Assassination Huey Pierce Long was assassinated on September 8 1935 at the state capitol. At the time of his assassination, Long was trying to oust his long time opponent Benjamin Henry Pavy. Judge Pavy would have been removed from office if the redistricting plan succeeded. Carl Weiss who was The Judge’s son-in-law wanted to speak to Long but in vain. He attempted talking to Long for three times but was brushed off by his bodyguards. Dr Weiss approached Long at 9:20 PM for the third time, he fired a handgun at him shooting him at the abdomen. The bodyguards of Long fired back at Weiss hitting him more than 62 times. Long was taken to the hospital but succumbed two days after (Boulard 113). The death was unpreventable, but some people claim that Long died from surgical and medical incompetence. His body was placed in a copper-lined casket and dressed in a tuxedo. More than 200,000 people went to Baton Rouge to see the event. He was buried on September 10 1935 at 4 P.M. The site of the assassination has been preserved and is now the speaker’s office. In conclusion, there are several positive and negative achievements of Huey Pierce Long during his life in politics. He managed to rise from a poor background to a highly influential person in the United States. From a high school dropout to a self practicing lawyer and later a senator, Huey Pierce Long was confident that he would become the president of United States. He will be remembered for his plan known as “share our wealth.” The “Kingfish”, as he was commonly referred, wanted to confiscate the wealth of rich and privileged people in the United States. Works cited Boulard, G. Huey Long: his life in photos, drawings, and cartoons. Louisiana: Pelican Publishing, 2003. Print. Collins, D.R. and Smith, J. Huey P. Long: talker and doer. Louisiana: Pelican Publishing, 2003. Dethloff, H.C. Huey P. Long: Southern demagogue or American democrat? Louisiana: University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1976. Print. Williams, T.H. Huey Long. New York: Knopf, 1989. Print. White, R.D. Kingfish: the reign of Huey P. Long. Manhattan: Random House, 2006. Print. Read More