Chapters 7-8, pgs. 129-180 Summary and Analysis

In Louisiana politics of the time, the sheriff was the local political boss in the parish. The New Orleans political machine was known as the Old Regular or Ring. Rural candidates usually won when they had the support of the New Orleans ring. IN the 1916 elections, Long supported John M. Parker for governor. Parker promised to destroy the New Orleans Ring and to support the independent oil producers. Parker won the election and fought the New Orleans Ring for years.

Huey formulated a pipeline bill that was not accepted by the independent oil producer's association. The bill adopted by the legislature contained enough of Long's provisions that he supported it until it was weakened. He then broker with Parker. Huey also opposed Parker on the severance tax that applied to entities that extracted national resources...