On this day, April 6, in 1929, the Louisiana House of Representatives impeached Gov. Huey Long on charges including blasphemy, public corruption, bribery and misuse of state funds.
Long had entered politics as an outsider, and his rapid rise to power had left many feathers ruffled. In 1929, he called a special session in both houses of the legislature to enact a 5-cent tax per oil barrel so he could raise the funds needed for his ambitious slate of welfare programs. Opponents to the tax led the move for impeachment.
But Long countered by gathering support directly from voters. In the end, 15 senators were able to subvert the impeachment proceedings when they publicly declared their support for Long.
With his office saved, Long turned on his enemies, firing their family members from state positions and backing their opponents in elections.
– Freeman Klopott
