ALL THE KINGS MEN

On the 8^th of September 1935, Louisiana State Senator (previously Governor) Huey Pierce Long Jr., was shot by Dr. Carl Weiss. He died two days later on the 10^th September. Dr. Weiss was shot by the Senator’s bodyguards and died on the 8^th September in the rotunda of the State Capitol where he shot the Governor.

Huey Long

Carl Weiss

There is some history of political assassinations in the United States (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assassinated_American_politicians) most of whom where shot with a gun. There is one bombing recorded, one stabbing and one involving arrows and scalping, but for the most part the victims were shot.

As to Huey Long, he was a populist and spoke words that seemed to promote leftist thinking, although he ran his own political machine in a very American way.  He was instrumental in the building of hospitals, schools, universities, highways and bridges. He created a Share Our Wealth program in 1934 with the motto “Every Man A King” proposing new wealth redistribution measures in the form of a net asset tax on corporations and individual to curb the poverty and homelessness, which was nationwide during the Great Depression.  All that made him extremely popular with the working class and the unemployed voters. He was certainly not a saint, but he knew how to campaign and what worked for him in the state of Louisiana. Charismatic and immensely popular for his programs and willingness to take forceful action, Long was accused by his opponents of dictatorial tendencies for his near-total control of the state government. His governance has had critics and supporters, debating whether he was a dictator, demagogue or populist. In 1929, Long called a special session of both houses of the legislature to enact a new five-cent per barrel "occupational license tax" on production of refined oil, to help fund his social programs. The bill met with fierce opposition from the state's oil interests. Opponents in the legislature, led by freshman Cecil Morgan of Shreveport, moved to impeach Long on charges ranging from blasphemy to corruption, bribery, and misuse of state funds. Long tried to cut the session short, but after an infamous brawl that spilled across the State Legislature on what was known as "Bloody Monday", the Legislature voted to remain in session and proceed with the impeachment.

Long took his case to the people using his characteristic speaking tours. He inundated the state with his trademark circulars. He argued that Standard Oil, corporate interests and the conservative political opposition were conspiring to stop him from providing roads, books and other programs to develop the state and help the poor. The House referred many charges to the Senate. Impeachment required a two-thirds majority, but Long produced a "Round Robin" statement signed by 15 senators pledging to vote "not guilty" no matter what the evidence. They said the trial was illegal, and even if proved, the charges did not warrant impeachment. The impeachment process, now futile, was suspended. It has been alleged that both sides used bribes to buy votes, and that Long later rewarded the Round Robin signers with state jobs or other favors.

Following the failed impeachment attempt in the Senate, Long became ruthless when dealing with his enemies. He fired their relatives from state jobs and supported candidates to defeat them in elections. "I used to try to get things done by saying 'please'," said Long. "Now...I dynamite 'em out of my path." Since the state's newspapers were financed by the opposition, in March 1930 Long founded his own paper, the Louisiana Progress, which he used to broadcast achievements and denounce his enemies. To receive lucrative state contracts, companies were first expected to buy advertisements in Long's newspaper. Long attempted to pass laws placing a surtax on newspapers and forbidding the publishing of "slanderous material," but these efforts were defeated. After the impeachment attempt, Long received death threats. Fearing for his personal safety, he surrounded himself with armed bodyguards at all times

Noted author Arthur Penn Warren wrote a novel All the Kings Men (1946) which won him the Pulitzer Prize in 1947, based very closely on the life of Huey Long. It was made into a triple Academy Award winning film in 1949 (Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress).


Speaking of impeachment, it was on the 8th September 1974 that the United States President Gerald Ford pardoned former President Richard Nixon for any crimes Nixon may have committed while in office.

And on a higher note, on the 8th September 1971, the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. was inaugurated, with the opening feature being the premiere of Leonard Bernstein's Mass. Nixon hated Kennedy.

The Kennedy Center as seen from the air. A portion of the Watergate Complex can be seen at the left.

In my looking into the Kennedy Centre, I came across this from the Beach Boys - Brian Wilson was honoured in an evening at the Kennedy Centre - this was not on the bill but what the heck.