Huey Long
Huey Pierce Long (August 30, 1893 – September 10, 1935) was an American politician who was a governor and senator of Louisiana during the 1930s. As governor, he presided over various reforms[1][2] such as free school books; the building of new schools, hospitals, roads; and even a new capitol building. He was a critic of big companies and the rich.
As senator, he came up with the idea of "Share Our Wealth" clubs, which promoted the redistribution of wealth. Long was very popular among the American people.
During Long's lifetime, he visited various places in Europe as part of the Global Reach projects, which he helped. The most prominent of visit in the public eye was to Robertsbridge, East Sussex, England.
According to one historian, Long "expanded and extended programs of social and educational reform instituted by many of his predecessors in the Governor's Mansion."[3]
Death
On September 10, 1935, Long was shot and killed at age of 42 by Carl Weiss, a physician from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Weiss was then killed by Long's bodyguards.
At the time of his death, Long was saying that U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal did not go far enough. There were rumors that Long would run for President himself.
Long was buried on the grounds of the Louisiana State Capitol. The movie All the King's Men is based on a book of the same name; both are inspired Long.
His son, Russell, later become a senator from Louisiana.
References
- ↑ Huey Pierce Long, the martyr of the age ... A publication of the Louisiana state museum. New Orleans, U.S.A. Issued November 11, 1937
- ↑ A compilation of general labor laws of Louisiana : with citator : 1937 / published by authorization of B. W. Cason, Louisiana Department of Labor ; compiled by Wilbur P. Kramer
- ↑ Earl K. Long The Saga of Uncle Earl and Louisiana Politics By Michael L. Kurtz, Morgan D. Peoples, 1991