The Earl Long Era and Populist Politics Jack P.F. Gremillion

1 earl long era , populist politics

1.1 landmark issues

1.1.1 tidelands
1.1.2 desegregation

the earl long era , populist politics

gremillion tapped earl long run attorney general in 1956 democratic primary after long s first choice, alexandria attorney camille francis gravel, jr., turned down offer run position, paid low salary compared lawyers earn. gremillion in donaldsonville acting pallbearer @ uncle s funeral when messenger told him uncle earl wanted him run attorney general. gremillion went on defeat attorney general fred leblanc, elected first in 1944.

as 1955 primary campaign proceeded, earl long complained associates gremillion s constant speech on stump getting on long s nerves. sarcastic long belittled gremillion, did many others, saying gremillion did not know lawsuit jumpsuit , scoffed: if want hide jack gremillion, put in lawbook!

long s outburst related dog racing track wanted approved developer friend, although dog racing illegal in state. when legal assistant in attorney general s office confirmed dog racing s illegality, long delivered famous zinger directed @ gremillion—although gremillion s assistant was, in fact, correct law, , had, in fact, verified in law book. (state-times, november 23, 1978). gremillion good-humored slight, saying later, if s funny, doesn t matter if s true!

on taking office in 1956, gremillion retained assistant attorney general edward m. carmouche, lawyer lake charles and, gremillion, active figure in state democratic party.

in 1960, after had won second consecutive democratic nomination attorney general, gremillion faced republican challenger, baton rouge attorney nealon stracener (june 29, 1916 – october 26, 1990), whom defeated, 86.4 13.6 percent.

in 1963, gremillion defeated single democratic primary challenger, charles a. riddle, jr.

gremillion referred world war ii service in campaign speeches appeal louisiana s large number of voters veterans. gremillion saw heavy combat in european theatre in v infantry division normandy outbreak st. lo. severely injured first lieutenant in charge of platoon rooting out snipers. awarded purple heart. sergeant killed in same battle. while convalescing in british hospital, gremillion befriended doctor, subsequently visited him in united states , whom remain close many years.

william j. bill dodd, running auditor (also called comptroller) in same primary in gremillion seeking attorney general s position, recalled earl long s extreme sensitivity gremillion s decorated war record. in dodd s words, long draft dodger in world war i, , sensitive , touchy candidates bragged on war records...

dodd continued, knew had war record , had received purple heart. got gunshot wound received while leaning on fallen infantry man. bullet or shrapnel hit gremillion in belly , traveled down between legs. gremillion liked talk purple heart, never said got shot.

dodd told large crowd in village of montgomery in grant parish our hero, jack gremillion, breathing gunpowder , killing germans. why, got killed himself when enemy shell plowed 1 of vital organs; if don t believe jack gremillion earned purple heart, show scars has prove it.

the typically self-deprecating gremillion later told him, dodd, appreciate bragging on war record, don t tell crowds show them got shot. several of darn rednecks wanted me show them scars , got mad when refused pull down pants.

landmark issues
tidelands

starting in 1956, gremillion led state of louisiana in protracted battle federal government regarding claims of offshore oil management , royalties claimed federal government. issue became known tidelands (state times, offbeat report, november 23, 1978). utilizing superb legal team, gremillion argued louisiana s constitutional , historic right tidelands territory 3 marine leagues [about 10.5 geographical miles] coast. supreme court decided against state, awarding 3 geographical miles (louisiana history: journal of louisiana historical association 38.2 (1997): 203-210.)

recently retired ken dejean, distinguished special assistant 4 louisiana attorneys general, believes more facts of case @ play. “louisiana had been bad boy after civil war,“ said. “this was, in effect, punishment. should have gotten larger piece of pie (in-person interview leslie alexander, july 8, 2014). “we had strong leadership , of brightest legal minds anywhere working on case,” said (ibid).

in notable dissent, supreme court justice hugo black wrote court should apply “broad principles of equity” , award of gulf states 3 marine leagues. did not accept majority opinion, sided louisiana.

desegregation

in 1960, gremillion charged contempt of court comment made in federal courtroom while opposing new orleans school desegregation case. judge edwin ford hunter, jr., charged gremillion contempt, had been personal friend many years. contempt charge came in federal hearing when gremillion challenged judge s ruling affidavit testimony, instead of witness testimony, allowed. gremillion asserted had not been made aware of affidavits in question, required, , motioned postponement. when motion denied, gremillion claimed judge presiding on kangaroo court , den of iniquity (special collections: historical papers received lsu libraries. 14 apr. 1988. jack p.f. gremillion, sr.).