Who's Huey Now?

"If I am elected I will inspect every cow, male & female, for ticks. Them that's got 'em will get rid of 'em, and them that ain't got none won't git none."

When young Huey Pierce Long wrote this campaign speech he was not a candidate for tick inspector of Winn Parish, Louisiana; he was only campaign manager for the candidate for tick inspector. But already he had learned that sweeping promises sweep up votes. Nineteen years later Huey Pierce Long ran for Governor of Louisiana, made sweeping promises, was elected. Elected with him was his good political friend, Paul N. Cyr, a dentist, who became lieutenant governor. Loud, red-headed Governor Long soon began to fulfill his campaign promises, to turn Louisiana topsy-turvy. Lieutenant Governor Cyr broke with him, became his bitter foe. When Governor Long ran for the U. S. Senate last year he made another promise, aimed to reassure Louisiana voters, to discomfort Cyr, whom he called "the retired tooth chiseler." If elected, he promised, he would not take his seat until after his term as Governor expired in May 1932. He was elected.

When Governor Long certified his election to the Senate last March, Lieutenant Governor Cyr claimed that by that action he ceased to be Governor. Louisiana's senior Senator Edwin Sidney Broussard agreed with him. To protect his right to office, wary Governor Long was careful never to leave the State unaccompanied by Dr. Cyr. Last week Governor Long was in New Orleans. Lieutenant Governor Cyr was at his home in Jeanerette. Suddenly one night Lieutenant Governor Cyr left home, drove to Shreveport, had a deputy court clerk administer the oath of office as Governor. Then he wrote Governor Long a letter:

"Sir--This is to advise you that I have taken the oath of office as Governor of the State of Louisiana and have been inducted into office, and, under the Constitution of Louisiana, you have no further right to claim possession of the Governorship or exercise any functions thereof. I therefore demand of you that you immediately surrender the office, its archives, and all that appertains to said office and divest yourself of the appearance of chief executive of Louisiana."

Hot as a wasp was little Huey Long. He dictated a succinct reply: "I have the honor to decline your demands in toto." Then he ordered out the Baton Rouge unit of the National Guard and a detachment of highway police, directed them to guard the Capitol and executive mansion "to prevent Cyr from seizing them." Next he hopped into a State automobile and roared off for the capital.

"Governor" Cyr countered on Tuesday by telegraphing to Adjutant General Ray Fleming in New Orleans an order to disband the troops. He signed himself "Governor & Commander-in-Chief of the Louisiana National Guard." The order was ignored; Adjutant General Fleming was reported to be in Atlanta. Captain W. J. B. Hawthorne of the Baton Rouge troops said the movement was merely a "test," explained that Tuesday was drill night anyhow.

When Governor Long arrived in Baton Rouge all was quiet. He dismissed the militia, but kept highway and city police on guard. Explained the Governor: "I was afraid he would try to seize the executive mansion and frighten my wife and children." Then he issued a manifesto declaring his henchman, Senate President (pro tern.) Alvin 0. King, lieutenant governor. "Taking the oath as Governor ends Dr. Cyr. He is no longer lieutenant governor and he is now nothing."

Sneered Cyr: "Huey's scared."

Next day things were moving quietly. Senator King arrived in Baton Rouge, was sworn in as lieutenant governor without opposition. "Governor" Cyr said he would not try to force his way into the chair, but would file suit in court, await a decision.

At this point another "governor" appeared. He was one Walter L. Aldrich of Shreveport. Mr. Aldrich was out of a job. So he went before a notary public and took the oath of office as governor, "just for the hell of it." Said he: "All good lawyers know that any one may take possession of, and retain, abandoned property."

"Governor" Cyr set up a cry that the Aldrich claim was a Long plot to burlesque the situation. Governor Long ignored this charge, busied himself looking up and jotting down a long list of Governor-Senators who had done what he is doing--remained Senators-elect until their gubernatorial terms expired. "Governor" Aldrich said he would take charge of the State in a few days. L. D. Smith, another jobless one, got himself sworn in as lieutenant governor. E. H. Reed, Shreveport grocer, did the same, said he would attach himself to "Governor Aldrich's staff." Sang the groceryman: "Every governor needs a lieutenant governor, and that's why you need me."

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