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N0KFQ > TODAY 08.09.14 16:05l 51 Lines 2254 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 35436_N0KFQ
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Subj: Today in History - Sep 8
Path: IW8PGT<HB9ON<IW2OHX<IQ2LB<DB0ANF<CX2SA<VE9MPF<N0KFQ
Sent: 140908/1356Z 35436@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.4.60
Sep 8, 1935:
Huey Long is shot
Senator Huey Long is shot in the Louisiana state capitol
building. He died about 30 hours later. Called a demagogue by
critics, the populist leader was a larger-than-life figure who
boasted that he bought legislators "like sacks of potatoes,
shuffled them like a deck of cards." He gave himself the nickname
"Kingfish," saying "I'm a small fish here in Washington. But I'm
the Kingfish to the folks down in Louisiana."
In 1928 Long became the youngest governor of Louisiana at age 34.
His brash style alienated many people, including the heads of the
biggest corporation in the state, Standard Oil. Long preached the
redistribution of wealth, which he believed could be done by
heavily taxing the rich. One of his early propositions, which met
with much opposition, was an "occupational" tax on oil
refineries. Later, Long would develop these theories into the
Share Our Wealth society, which promised a $2,500 minimum income
per family.
Long also abolished the state's poll tax on voting and gained
free textbooks for every student. His motto was "Every Man a
King." His populism led to an impeachment attempt, but he
successfully foiled the charges. In 1930, he won the election for
Louisiana senator but declined to serve until his handpicked
successor was able to win the governor's seat in 1932.
Soon after vigorously campaigning for Franklin Roosevelt in 1932,
Long, with his own designs on the office, began loudly denouncing
the new president. In response, many of his allies in the
Louisiana legislature turned against him and would no longer vote
for his candidates. In an effort to regain power in the state,
Long managed to pass a series of laws giving him control over the
appointment of every public position in the state, including
every policeman and schoolteacher.
Long, who was planning to take on Franklin Roosevelt in the next
election, was shot by Dr. Carl Weiss at point-blank range outside
the main hall of the capitol building. Weiss' motives continue to
be debated, but some believe he was angry about rumors Long had
spread about the doctor's in-laws, who had opposed Long
politically.
73, K.O. and Billie...
...."on the road again".
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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