61-553: Earl K. Long Democratic Sam H. Jones Democratic The 1940 Louisiana gubernatorial election was held in two rounds on January 16 and February 20, 1940. Like most Southern states between the Reconstruction Era and the Civil Rights Movement , Louisiana 's Republican Party was virtually nonexistent in terms of electoral support. This meant that the two Democratic Party primaries held on these dates were
122-488: A nudie - sexploitation film, features Starr's one lead movie role. As the title suggests, she plays herself. The film is also known as Blaze Starr Goes Back to Nature , Blaze Starr Goes Wild , Blaze Starr the Original , and Busting Out. Diane Arbus photographed Starr in 1964. The photo "Blaze Starr at home" was included in the book and traveling exhibit Diane Arbus: Family Albums . The 1989 movie Blaze recounted
183-446: A "deadhead" (an unneeded state worker who performs few or no duties) on the payroll of a special state board. In 1944, Long did not run for governor as many had expected, but instead for his earlier position as lieutenant governor on an intraparty ticket with former U.S. Representative Lewis L. Morgan of Covington in St. Tammany Parish across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. Long led
244-433: A King , Huey Long said that Earl Long's first candidacy for lieutenant governor brought forth charges of a family dynasty in the making. "I sought to discourage [Earl], stating that it would be disastrous for a brother to undertake to have a brother succeed him [as governor] or to have him elected as lieutenant governor. It was already being charged that I was a dictator and that I had allowed many relatives to be placed on
305-486: A cameo role and as a consultant. Starr was born on April 10, 1932, in rural Wayne County, West Virginia , along Twelvepole Creek , (also spelled Twelve Pole Creek) the second eldest of 11 siblings born to Lora (née Evans) and Goodlow Fleming. Reared in the Newground Hollow (also spelled New Ground Hollow) area of Wilsondale, West Virginia , she left home at either age 14 or 15, claiming to have suffered
366-605: A fatal heart attack while in the Baptist Hospital (later Rapides General Hospital) in Alexandria . After Earl Long's death, the Democratic State Central Committee gave the nomination to McSween, who had earlier succeeded Earl Long's late brother George Long in the 8th district seat. McSween was thus unopposed in the 1960 general election and won a second consecutive term in the U.S. House. In 1962, McSween
427-559: A few months after his term as governor expired in 1960, Earl Long ran for the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana's 8th congressional district . An entourage of Long backers from over the years flocked to support him in the race, including Bill Dodd, former Senate floor leader C. H. "Sammy" Downs , state Senator Sixty Rayburn, the Long attorney Joseph A. Sims, and A.A. Fredericks, Long's former executive assistant. Due to
488-404: A former ally with whom he quarreled for many years thereafter. Years later, he repaid Martin politically. In 1957, Long pushed through a new law, taking jurisdiction of insurance and voting machines from the secretary of state's office and setting up two new patronage positions. Long appointed Rufus D. Hayes of Baton Rouge as the first insurance commissioner and Drayton Boucher of Webster Parish as
549-522: A gang rape during her teenage years. She first moved to Logan, West Virginia , working as a carhop , and then from there to Washington D.C. , where, according to her autobiography, she was discovered by a promoter while she was employed in a doughnut shop. She recalled: I was 15 and working as a waitress at the Mayflower Donut Shop in Washington, D.C., when a man named Red Snyder told me I
610-449: A large part of her appeal. The theatrical flourishes and unique gimmicks she used in her stage show went beyond established burlesque routines like the fan dance and balloon dance. She often performed with dangerous cats, including a baby black panther. Her trademark routine was "the exploding couch". As she explained in 1989, "I had finally got my gimmick, a comedy thing where I'm supposed to be getting so worked up that I stretch out on
671-557: A large voting bloc in the process. First Democratic Party Primary, January 16 Second Democratic Party Primary, February 20 Despite Long's promises of increased social programs, voters were still outraged over the recent corruption scandals and were unwilling to believe Earl Long's claims that he had had nothing to do with the scandals. Jones's victory ended twelve years of Longite governors in Louisiana. Earl K. Long Earl Kemp Long (August 26, 1895 – September 5, 1960)
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#1732856006453732-435: A liaison with New Orleans stripper Blaze Starr – did not affect his electoral success. Long first ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1932 without the support of his brother, Governor and U.S. Senator-elect Huey Long , who was committed in that election to the successful candidates, Oscar K. Allen of Winnfield for governor and John B. Fournet of St. Martinville for lieutenant governor. In his autobiography , Every Man
793-475: A long-term affair with then-governor Earl Long. Starr was in the process of divorcing her husband, club owner Carroll Glorioso, and Long was married to the state's first lady, known colloquially as " Miz Blanche ". Two of Starr's performances, including the combustible sofa, are among the burlesque routines featured in the 1956 compilation film Buxom Beautease , produced and directed by Irving Klaw . Director Doris Wishman 's 1962 film Blaze Starr Goes Nudist ,
854-497: A moralistic crusade against corruption, and the state's newspapers featured him in overwhelmingly positive coverage. Behind the scenes, though, Jones enlisted the aid of veteran politicos who were themselves implicated in questionable dealings. He refused to criticize Huey Long, saying that "I am not running against a dead man. I am running against a gang of rascals as live as any gang that ever lived, and I'm running to clean out every one of them." Jones also promised to expand some of
915-610: A rally. Only out-of-parish people could do the honor. Long reasoned that nearly any local person would have made some political enemies who might reject Earl Long just because that person's "enemy" was pro-Long. Long was determined to get every vote possible, so tried to remain independent of local rivalries. Both Earl Long and his brother Huey had grown close to Earl Williamson, a local politician in Caddo Parish . Williamson's son, Don W. Williamson, later recalled Earl Long coming into their town of Vivian and picking up his father to join
976-559: A third candidate, former State Representative Ben F. Holt of Rapides Parish , Long finished in second place in the primary election and was compelled into a runoff contest for the Democratic nomination with the short-term incumbent, Alexandria attorney Harold B. McSween , which Long won. Because no Republican filed for the seat, Long was poised to run unopposed in the general election set for November 8, 1960. However, in September he suffered
1037-605: The Atlantic Ocean ." Long was well known for eccentric behavior, leading some to suspect that he had bipolar disorder . In his last term in office, his wife, Blanche Revere Long (1902–1998), and others attempted to remove him on the grounds of mental instability. For a time, Long was confined to the Southeast Louisiana Hospital in Mandeville , but his legal adviser, Joseph A. Sims, was said to have rescued Long from
1098-857: The Crescent City , which at the time was being virtually governed out of Baton Rouge. Morrison agreed not to work against Long's nephew, Russell B. Long , who was successfully seeking a full term in the United States Senate . Instead, Morrison formally endorsed one of Long's rivals, Malcolm Lafargue , the former U. S. attorney for the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana , based in Shreveport . Though Morrison "endorsed" Lafargue, he privately urged his followers to support Russell Long, whom he fully expected to win
1159-757: The Museum of Sex in New York City and the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas . Journalist Frank Lovece wrote in 1989 that "Starr ... gave up stripping six years ago to become a gemologist and make and sell jewelry. Each holiday season, at the Carrolltowne Mall here in the Baltimore suburbs, she is a local celebrity selling earrings, bracelets and necklaces fashioned from the gemstones and crystals she collects
1220-491: The Two O'Clock Club nightclub in 1950. She eventually became its headliner. She rose to national renown after she was profiled in a February 1954 Esquire magazine article, "B-Belles of Burlesque: You Get Strip Tease With Your Beer in Baltimore". The Two O'Clock Club remained her home base, but she began to travel and perform in clubs throughout the country. Starr's striking red hair, voluptuous figure and on-stage enthusiasm were
1281-571: The "Louisiana Hayride" scandals that engulfed both Governor Leche and the president of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, James Monroe Smith. Long was defeated in the Democratic primary by the conservative lawyer Sam H. Jones of Lake Charles. After the abbreviated governorship, with Coleman Lindsey of Minden as lieutenant governor, Long was indicted in New Orleans on charges of embezzlement and extortion . The charges involved placing
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#17328560064531342-654: The 1956 primary election. Dodd did not explain why the relationship between Long and Pearce had declined. McCrory defeated Pearce, but beginning with the 1959 primary, Pearce was nominated by the Democrats for the first of what became four consecutive terms as agriculture commissioner. That year, Earl Long ran for lieutenant governor, but lost to Taddy Aycock. Dodd noted with humor that Long had become irritated with McCrory after inviting him on Long's intraparty ticket in 1956: "... to harass, and we hoped, defeat Uncle Earl's old political enemy, Dave Pearce. All McCrory could talk about
1403-653: The 1959 primary, Long lost a race to Sheridan Garrett, 2,563 to 2,068, for a Winn Parish seat on the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee . Like his brother Huey Long , Earl Long's time as governor saw a number of initiatives in the social field. A $ 50 pension was provided for the aged, along with bonuses for veterans, while new charity hospitals and trade schools were established. Long also experimented with free hot lunches for all schoolchildren, and also added free ambulance services for charity hospitals and free dental clinics that travelled
1464-677: The House Speaker despite the separation of powers. In his last term, Long named Wimberly as director of the state department of public works. In his last gubernatorial term from 1959 to 1960, Long relied heavily on his legislative floor leader, state Representative W.L. Rambo of Georgetown in Grant Parish , in getting bills through the legislature. Rambo was a Long "by marriage", having wed the former Mary Alice Long. In 1959, Long considered resigning as governor. His loyal lieutenant governor, Lether Frazar of Lake Charles, would have succeeded him as
1525-410: The Long entourage for a trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas , where they enjoyed drinking buttermilk and horse racing , as well as illicit attractions in the resort city. Long demanded absolute loyalty among his inner circle, often saying that he did not need them to back him when he was right, but when he was wrong. Long's erratic political behavior led the aspiring singer Jay Chevalier to compose in 1959
1586-759: The Long programs, including teacher salary increases and a new old-age pension. Earl Long made use of the Louisiana Progress newspaper he had inherited from his brother, as well as state publications like the Louisiana Conservation Review. He also made extensive speaking tours throughout the state's rural areas, making colorful attacks on the big-city newspapers and calling Jones a tool of corporate interests. Jones got most of his funding from wealthy 'good-government' supporters, while Long's funding came from state employee deductions, oil and gas companies, and contributions from organized crime . After
1647-529: The Louisiana chief executive for some seven months. Under this scenario, Long planned to run again for governor in the December 1959 Democratic primary, but by leaving office early could avoid Louisiana's ban (at the time) on governors' succeeding themselves. He never proceeded with this. Instead, the term-limited Long unsuccessfully sought the lieutenant governorship on a ticket headed by fellow Democrat and wealthy former Governor James A. Noe . Instead, Jimmie Davis
1708-404: The commissioner of voting machines. After Boucher decided not to run for office in the 1959–1960 election cycle, Long appointed Douglas Fowler of Red River Parish , who held the job for more than 20 years. In 1948, Long was elected governor to succeed Jimmie Davis. At the time, the salary was $ 12,000 annually. Long defeated his old rival Sam Jones by a wide margin. Eliminated in the first primary
1769-545: The couch, and — when I push a secret button — smoke starts coming out from like between my legs. Then a fan and a floodlight come on, and you see all these red silk streamers blowing, shaped just like flames, so it looked like the couch had just burst into fire." Blaze was arrested more than once. The first time was in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , for lewdness, by a young police officer, Frank Rizzo , who would later become that city's police commissioner and mayor. Another time
1830-644: The first primary, Long's first response on his victory was, "Huey never done that, did he?" In his second race for the office, McLemore ran on a primarily racial segregationist platform, following the ruling by the US Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) that segregated public schools were unconstitutional. In 1956, Long vetoed funding for the work undertaken by the LSU historian Edwin Adams Davis to establish
1891-430: The first round of voting, Noe endorsed Jones after the two struck a deal in which the 'good-government' Jones promised Noe half of the state's patronage appointments in exchange for his support. Long called a special session of the legislature to pass several spending increases for social programs and some reform bills in an effort to influence runoff voters. But Long refused to include a pay raise for teachers, alienating
1940 Louisiana gubernatorial election - Misplaced Pages Continue
1952-502: The institution. Long was never formally diagnosed with any mental disorder . Commentators have speculated that political opposition may have led the effort to prove him mentally incompetent, including his wife, who resented his connection with Starr. He had a severe heart attack in 1951. Additionally, in his later years, he was alleged to have suffered from strokes , resulting in further mental impairment. Some have speculated that he may have suffered from dementia in his last days. Only
2013-414: The moon"—old-age pensions, veterans bonuses, and a new highway system. "The voters took him at his word, for they elected him by the largest majority ever given a Louisiana candidate [in a gubernatorial runoff contest]. That may be something in the nature of poetic justice, for the majority of voters will be getting exactly what was promised them, and for which they asked, whether they knew it or not." During
2074-473: The party balloting for the second position in state government, but he lost the runoff to J. Emile Verret of New Iberia , the choice of incoming Governor Jimmie Davis . His previous elected position was as a member and president of the Iberia Parish School Board . Had Lewis Morgan not entered the second primary against Jimmie Davis, Long would have become lieutenant governor without a runoff. At
2135-415: The people of Louisiana would elect " good government , and they won't like it!" But, beneath his public persona as a simple, plain-spoken rural Louisianan of little education, he had an astute political mind of considerable intelligence. Earl Long was a master campaigner, who attracted large crowds when his caravan crisscrossed the state. He would not allow a local person to introduce him or his ticket mates at
2196-418: The race, anyway. Term-limited and unable to run in the 1951–1952 elections, Long essentially sat out the statewide elections. According to Garry Boulard's book, The Big Lie (2001), Long proved instrumental during the 1951–1952 campaign in charges of communism made against gubernatorial candidate Hale Boggs of New Orleans. Rival candidate Lucille May Grace attacked him publicly, but Boulard believes this
2257-401: The real contest over who would be governor . The election resulted in the narrow defeat of Earl K. Long and the election of Sam H. Jones as governor of Louisiana on a reform platform. The focus of the campaign was the ongoing 'Louisiana Scandals' which implicated former governor Richard W. Leche – and by extension Earl K. Long – in widespread corruption. Jones's main campaign focus was
2318-524: The responsibility from the Secretary of State. Long supported another ally, Douglas Fowler of Coushatta , who won the position in 1960 after it was established as an elective office. On three occasions, Long tapped Lorris M. Wimberly of Bienville Parish as Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives . In Louisiana, the powerful governor (although limited at the time by nonconsecutive terms) chooses
2379-562: The second half of his four-year term, Governor Long became close to Margaret Dixon, the first woman managing editor of the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate . She often advised him on political strategy. In 1951, he appointed her to the LSU Board of Supervisors. Long suffered a major heart attack in 1950, but recovered. In 1950, Long struck a deal with his intraparty rival, Mayor deLesseps Story Morrison , to return home rule to
2440-519: The song, "The Ballad of Earl K. Long". In the 1948 Democratic primary, W.E. Anderson of Tangipahoa Parish defeated Dave L. Pearce , a legislator from West Carroll Parish in northeastern Louisiana, for the position of Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry . For the 1952 primary, the Democratic Party renominated Anderson without opposition to a second term. After Anderson died that year, outgoing Governor Long appointed Pearce to finish
2501-514: The state archives. Davis appealed to the State Board of Liquidation for temporary relief until funding could be restored in the next legislative session. The archives became a permanent institution in Baton Rouge. Long eased the governmental indignities placed on African Americans and allowed a considerable number to vote. He convinced the legislature to equalize teacher pay between the races. In 1959, in response to legislative attempts to restrict
1940 Louisiana gubernatorial election - Misplaced Pages Continue
2562-483: The state payrolls ( nepotism ). To have added a family name to the head of the ticket either for governor or lieutenant governor would have been disastrous to the whole ticket. My brothers and sisters, however, could not see the matter in that light. I gave everyone to understand that I was irrevocably committed to Allen for Governor and Fournet for Lieutenant Governor. ... I finally declared openly and publicly that I would not be [Earl]'s supporter for either office; that I
2623-641: The state. Increases were also made to teachers' salaries, and for the first time the salaries of black teachers matched those of white teachers. Improvements in unemployment benefits were made, while a "right-to-work law" was repealed in 1956, with the House of Representatives voting 57-44 and the Senate 21–18 in favour of repeal. As noted by one study, "Repeal proved a boon for organized labor." The colorful "Uncle Earl" (so-named because of his relatives, including nephew and U.S. Senator Russell Long ) once joked that one day
2684-420: The story of her and Long's relationship. The film was directed by Ron Shelton , adapted by him from Starr's memoir Blaze Starr: My Life as Told to Huey Perry (1974), and starred Lolita Davidovich as Starr and Paul Newman as Long. Starr herself appeared in a cameo role and acted as consultant, earning four percent of the film's profits. Some of Starr's costumes and other memorabilia have been displayed at
2745-647: The suffrage, he called for full participation by blacks in Louisiana elections. He knew that he would attract most of the limited black vote, as most were still restricted by barriers to voter registration. In the 1950s, he quarreled with the state's leading segregationist , then state Senator William M. Rainach of Claiborne Parish . Long reappointed A.A. Fredericks as his executive secretary from 1959 to 1960, his last two years of his last term as governor. He appointed another confidante, former legislator Drayton Boucher of Springhill and later Baton Rouge, as interim "Custodian of voting machines" from 1958 to 1959, as he took
2806-635: The term. Pearce won a special election and also served as commissioner during the administration of the anti-Long Governor Robert F. Kennon of Minden. Long's first lieutenant governor, William J. "Bill" Dodd , in his memoir entitled Peapatch Politics: The Earl Long Era in Louisiana Politics (named for Earl Long's "Peapatch Farm" in Winn Parish), writes that Earl Long developed a "hatred" for Pearce. The governor encouraged state entomologist Sidney McCrory of Ascension Parish to run against Pearce in
2867-485: The thought of stripping is scary. So when I went onstage for the first time in my red-and-white cowgirl outfit, I used my hat to cover myself. After the show I threw up. It wasn't that I thought there was anything wrong with stripping. I was just overwhelmed by the emotion of getting into show business. Snyder became Fleming's first manager, encouraged her to start stripping, and gave her the stage name Blaze Starr. Starr moved to Baltimore , where she began performing at
2928-661: The time, Louisiana law provided that there would be no statewide constitutional runoff elections unless there was also a second contest for governor. That rule did not apply to state legislative races, however. In the same campaign, the Long-endorsed candidate for attorney general , state Senator Joe T. Cawthorn of Mansfield , lost to the Davis-backed Fred S. LeBlanc . Long blamed his failure to become lieutenant governor in 1944 on Louisiana Secretary of State Wade O. Martin Jr. ,
2989-445: The top of the state again in 1955–1956, when he scored an easy victory for governor over a field that included Mayor of New Orleans deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison Sr., a law partner of Hale Boggs; state highway director Fred Preaus of Farmerville , the choice of outgoing Governor Robert Kennon ; former state police superintendent Francis Grevemberg; and businessman James M. McLemore of Alexandria . As Louisiana governors rarely won in
3050-494: Was U.S. Representative James Hobson "Jimmy" Morrison of Hammond , who made his third and final gubernatorial bid. Long appointed A.A. Fredericks as his executive secretary. Harvey Locke Carey of Shreveport was the campaign manager for northwest Louisiana and later the short-term U. S. Attorney for the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana . The Memphis Commercial Appeal criticized Long's election as governor in 1948. Long "promised everything but
3111-405: Was pesticides and how to get rid of different kinds of crop-killing bugs. His main topic and claim to fame, which dominated all of his speeches, whether he was in cotton country, forestry areas, or the city of New Orleans , was his eradicating the pink boll worms from Louisiana cotton fields. Uncle Earl almost went crazy when he had to listen to ... McCrory killed enough pink boll worms to fill
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#17328560064533172-526: Was an American stripper and burlesque star. Her vivacious presence and inventive use of stage props earned her the nickname "The Hottest Blaze in Burlesque". She was also known for her affair with Louisiana Governor Earl Kemp Long . Based on her memoir Blaze Starr! My Life as Told to Huey Perry (published in 1974), the 1989 film Blaze told the story of that affair starring Paul Newman as Long and Lolita Davidovich as Starr, with Starr herself acting in
3233-528: Was an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Louisiana for nine years (1939–1940, 1948–1952, and 1956–1960). A member of the Democratic Party , he held the same position that his brother, Huey Long , held years earlier (1928–1932). Long served as lieutenant governor of Louisiana from 1936 to 1939. Trying to keep a close hand in state government, he failed in three other bids to be elected lieutenant governor, in 1932, 1944, and 1959. Long
3294-542: Was defeated in the primary election by his fellow liberal Democrat, Gillis William Long , who claimed to be the rightful heir to the Long dynasty. His funeral in Baton Rouge attracted numerous attendees. Long was interred at the Earl K. Long Memorial Park in Winnfield. His nephew, U.S. Senator Russell Long, was among the pallbearers. Blaze Starr Blaze Starr (born Fannie Belle Fleming ; April 10, 1932 – June 15, 2015)
3355-508: Was elected governor in 1936, but he resigned in scandal in 1939, and Long succeeded for 11 months to the governorship. Long failed to win a gubernatorial term of his own in the election of 1940. During his abbreviated term, Long appointed a cousin , Floyd Harrison Long Sr., as the custodian of the Central State (Mental) Hospital in Pineville . Earl Long's brief first tenure corresponded with
3416-489: Was elected to a second non-consecutive term as governor in 1960, having first served from 1944 to 1948. It was said that in 1948 Long followed Davis and in 1960 Davis followed Long. Long was defeated for lieutenant governor in the 1959 primary by the conservative C. C. "Taddy" Aycock of Franklin in St. Mary Parish in south Louisiana. Aycock also won the January 1960 runoff election over Alexandria Mayor W. George Bowdon Jr. In
3477-813: Was in New Orleans . In 1968, Starr bought the Two O'Clock Club on The Block in Baltimore , Maryland , which at the time was valued at 65,000 dollars. She continued to perform in the club. In the early 1980s, Starr made an appearance at the Mitchell Brothers ' O'Farrell Theatre in San Francisco . In the late 1950s, while briefly working at the Sho-Bar on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans , Starr began
3538-524: Was nominated in the summer of 1960 to the United States House of Representatives for Louisiana's 8th congressional district , and was running unopposed in the general election, but he died before he could take office. During his career, Long promoted a progressive agenda by expanding school-lunch programs, teacher pay, public-works projects, and minority voting rights. Known as " Uncle Earl ", Long connected with voters through his folksy demeanor and colorful oratory. His sometimes erratic behavior – including
3599-444: Was pretty and ought to be in show business. I said I had been raised to believe it was sinful to dance, but I could play the guitar. "Good," he said. "I'm going to make you a star." Red said he wanted me to dress up as a cowgirl, play the guitar a little and then strip. I had never heard of striptease before. But Red sweet-talked me and said the girls who did all had to be really beautiful. When you have never even shown your belly button,
3660-459: Was rigged by Plaquemines Parish boss Leander Perez . At a stormy session of the state Democratic committee, Long attacked Perez and Grace for attacking Boggs, but prevented Boggs from publicly defending himself. Some analysts thought this strategy greatly contributed to Boggs' defeat in the primary. Judge Robert F. Kennon of Minden won as governor, although most loyal Longites had lined up with Judge Carlos Spaht of Baton Rouge. Long surfaced at
3721-525: Was under lasting obligations to others; that I had done the best I could for my brother, but that I could not and would not undertake to persuade any of the candidates to whom I had given my promise to step aside. ..." Not long after Huey Long's assassination , however, Earl Long handily defeated fellow Democrat Clement Murphy Mos (much later a judge in Lake Charles ) in the primary held for lieutenant governor in January 1936. Richard W. Leche of New Orleans
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