Oscar K. Allen

Oscar K. Allen

Oscar Kelley Allen (born August 8, 1882 in Winnfield , Winn Parish , Louisiana , † January 28, 1936 in Baton Rouge , Louisiana) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ) and from 1932 to 1936 Governor of the state of Louisiana.

Early years and political advancement

Oscar Allen attended Springfield Normal and Business College in Missouri and then Trinity University in San Antonio . After finishing school he was a teacher for some time. He then worked in agriculture, the railroad and the oil business, among other things. From 1916 to 1920 he was employed in the administration of Winn Parish. Between 1924 and 1927 he was employed in the same district for the Police jury clerk . He was then a member of the Louisiana Senate from 1927 to 1931 . He was a supporter of Huey Pierce Long , who then led the Democratic Party in Louisiana. In the Senate he was parliamentary group leader of the Democratic MPs and from 1928 to 1930 chairman of the Highway Commission ( Highway Commission ) until a court ruled that this office was incompatible with his work as State Senator.

Louisiana Governor

With the help of Huey Long, Oscar Allen was elected as his party's candidate on April 19, 1932 as the new governor of his state. Long himself had meanwhile become a US Senator . Allen took up his new office on May 16, 1932. As governor, he was Long's extended arm, who thus continued to maintain control of the state's government. During Allen's tenure, the consequences of the global economic crisis were gradually overcome. The roads were expanded and the public school system improved. The Louisiana State University and the state hospitals have been modernized.

death

In September 1935, Allen's mentor Huey Long was assassinated. His party then nominated him as Long's successor in the US Senate. There he should end the legislative period until the congressional elections. Before he could take his seat in Washington , he suffered a fatal stroke on January 28, 1936 . The Senate mandate went first to the late Senator's widow, Rose McConnell Long , and after the next election to Allen J. Ellender . The office of governor fell to the new Lieutenant Governor James A. Noe . The actual Lieutenant Governor John B. Fournet had resigned after his election to the Supreme Court of Louisiana, whereupon Noe as President of the Senate of Louisiana new lieutenant governor and after Allen's death his successor. Oscar Allen was married to Florence Scott, with whom he had three children.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Oscar Allen in the National Governors Association (English)
• The Governors of Louisiana (English)
• Oscar K. Allen in the database of Find a Grave (English)