Evening star., 1934-08-19

Regaining control of the citys big
bloc of votes, which he lost shortly
before the municipal election in jan
uary, is Senator Longs one objective
at the moment, and he seems deter
mined to achieve this objective even
If 1t requires use of force Of arms
plus emergency election legislation by
his trained lawmakers at Baton Rouge
Convening of the Legislature in
extra session Tuesday night provided
the first intiInation that the Senator
planned to resort to legislation to re-
place the dummy candidate" device
as his principal means for retaining
control at the polls.
Under existing Louisiana law, COM
missioners of elections serving at the
polls are selected by the party con-
ducting the primary by lot from equal
numbers of names submitted by op-
posing candidates. The Long organi-
zation on several occasions abused
this law by qualifying dummy can
didates" to submit names to be used
In the draw. However, the dummy
candidate" device has grown more
repugnant with use, and no attempt
was made to resort to this device
before qualifying time for candidates
for Congress, the Supreme Court and
the Louisiana Public Service Com
mission expired.
Provisions of His Bill.
The bill by which the Senator pro-
poses to give his organization control
at all polling places would authorize
the parish boards of election super
visors, which his agent, Gov. o. x.
Allen, controls, to name two COM
missioners to serve In each precinct,
in addition to the commissioners
chosen from names submitted by the
candidates. The proposed act would
apply only In 1884.
Each board of election supervisors
As composed of the registrar of voters,
appointed by the Governor; another
citizen named by the Governor, and
the parish sheriff. The Orleans Parish
board of election supervisors includes
Registrar r. J. Gregory, a Long or
ganization ward leader; Richard w.
Leche, secretary to Gov. Allen, and
Maurice J. Harrison, civil sheriff.
Harrison, who defeated q Long-Sup-
ported candidate for his Office, OBJ
viously is the boards minority member.
Senator Long, however, did not stop
with an attempt to control election
officials when he drew legislation to
be introduced at the special session.
One of his bills would prohibit courts
from questioning the acts Of registrars
and another would prevent the courts
from interfering with activities Of the
militia.
Permits Use Of Troops.
The military bill would permit gen.
eral use of the National Guard, in
addition to use of State police to be
created by the constabulary bill,
which in Louisiana has come to be
described as the "Cossack bill"
Legal authorities and some officers
Of the militia have questioned the
right of q Louisiana Governor, under
existing statutes, to proclaim partial
martial law" The military bill would
provide an answer to all questions.
This bill would give the Governor
the power Sin case of insurrection,
invasion, tumult, riot or breach OF
peace, or imminent danger thereof, or
when he may deem it necessary to
order into active service of this State
any part of the militia that he may
deem proper"
Under the bill the Governor could
use militiamen at any point in the
State to prevent interference by con-
stttuted civil authorities
Ties Hands Of Court.
The bill would provide that enc
court of this State shall have author
ity to issue any orders or writs of at
tachment, acquestration, injunction
mandamus or other restraining orders
or process of seizure, or rule for con-
tempt of court in connection with any
such order or writ. against the Gov
ernor Of Louisiana, the adjutani
general of Louisiana, the command
ing officer or any subordinate officer
or enlisted man of the militia
through or by which the validity ol
any order or proclamation of the
Governor calling the Militia or any
part thereof into active service
''might be questioned, molested OF
hampered."
In brief the Governors order to the
Militia would be final, courts or nc
courts.
Another bill would make the new
State income tax collectible in 1885,
instead Of 1896.
With Senator Long sitting in tht
operators seat it was obvious soor
after the Legislature convened tha
the administration steam roller woulc
require less than II days. the limit
fixed by the call, to do its work.
Legislative Rules Changed.
For many years rules of the House
and Senate have provided that con-
sideration Of any measure out of ordel
by suspension of the rules required
o two-thirds vote. These rules were
amended soon after the session wa!
convened to provide that suspension
of the regular order should require
merely majority vote. The Ions
organization controls a majority o
members of both houses but lacks {
two-thirds majority in the House o
Representatives.
Major political interest, of course
Is centered in Baton Rouge, but &C
tivities of the National Guard in New
Orleans and attempts by the court
TO oust the guardsmen from the reg
istration Office continues to attract t.
tention.
Three National Guard officers hav
been cited for contempt of court. bu
Adjt. Gen. Raymond H Flemin
never has been brought before the ba
to receive his sentence.
When Judge Nat w. Bond Of tn
Civil District Court issued a prelimi
nary injunction prohibiting the Guar
from enforcing Gov Aliens "partis
martial law order, the answer Of tn
commander Of the Guard was tn
erection of a barricade at the mali
entrance to jackson Barracks, wher