JAKARTA - On September 8, 1935, United States (US) Democratic Senator Huey Long was shot at the State Capitol. This incident is not too surprising because he is indeed known as one of the politicians who has many enemies. He is also known for his bravery against the oligarchy. Some of his populist policies made it difficult for the rich and benefited the poor.
Huey Long died after 30 hours of being pierced by hot lead. Prior to the shooting, rumors of a plot to assassinate Long had circulated in Louisiana, USA.
To quote Britannica, Huey Long's consolidation of personal power led to talk of armed rebellion by his enemies. Huey himself was shot by relatives of a political enemy and died at the age of 42.
The news of his death made headlines almost all over the world. An estimated 200,000 mourners came to Baton Rouge to pay their last respects.
Prior to the shooting, Long attended the special agenda of the Louisiana legislature at the State Capitol. He fought back through a number of bills including plotting against Judge Benjamin Pavy to step down from office.
According to the generally accepted version of events, Pavy's son-in-law, Dr. Carl Weiss, approached Long in the corridor and shot him at point blank range. Long's bodyguards immediately returned fire at Weiss as Long ran to safety. Weiss died instantly while Long was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, an emergency operation failed to save Long.
Long was at the peak of his power when he was killed by Weiss. Long's political dynasty was succeeded by his brother Earl K. Long, who served as Governor of Louisiana and his son, Russell B. Long, who served in the U.S. Senate from 1948 to 1987.
Among critics, Huey Long is known as a populist leader and often boasts. He once said buying legislators "is like a sack of potatoes, shuffling them is like playing cards." He also refers to himself as the Kingfish.
"I'm a small fish in Washington. But I'm a Kingfish for the people of Louisiana," Long said in one occasion.
Long's political career began in 1928 when he was elected the youngest governor in Louisiana, at the age of 34. His brash style has alienated many, including the head of the state's largest company, Standard Oil.
Long provides for a redistribution of wealth, which he believes can be accomplished at the expense of the rich. One of his policies that has faced much opposition is the “jobs” tax on oil refineries.
His populism led to an impeachment attempt, but he managed to thwart those attempts. In 1930, he won the Louisiana Senator election but refused to serve until his handpicked successor to Governor of Louisiana was able to win the governorship in 1932.
After starting to occupy the Senate seat, Long began his duties by denouncing the new president at the time, Franklin Roosevelt. In response, many of his allies in the Louisiana legislature turned against him and would no longer elect him as a candidate.
In an attempt to regain power in Louisiana, Huey Long successfully passed a series of laws that gave him control over the appointment of every public position in the state, including electing police and school teachers. Huey Long even had a bunch of gangster-like bodyguards then dictated to the legislators, using intimidation when necessary.
On the other hand, Huey's arbitrary attitude was also accompanied by Long's sympathy for the underprivileged. He sought national power with the 'Share the Wealth' program which seduced a public facing the Great Depression.
With the program, Long promises people to have a minimum income of US$2,500 per family whose funds come from the taxes of the rich. In 1934, he transformed the program into the Share-Our-Wealth Society, inviting Americans everywhere to organize local produce branches.
Had Long been able to unite the various national radical movements, a private opinion poll conducted in the spring of 1935 estimated that he would have won up to four million votes in the presidential election. But unfortunately before the presidential election and quell the resistance, Huey Long was shot dead.
*Read other information about TODAY's HISTORY or read other interesting articles from Putri Ainur Islam.
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