Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 1989 Robert Floyd Kennon: Reform Governor. Doris Dorcas Carter Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Carter, Doris Dorcas, "Robert Floyd Kennon: Reform Governor." (1989). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 4765. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/4765 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS The most advanced technology has been used to photo­ graph and reproduce this manuscript from the microfilm master. 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Ann Arbor, MI 48106 ROBERT FLOYD KENNON: REFORM GOVERNOR A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of History by Doris Dorcas Carter B.A.,, Grambling College, 1969 M.A., Louisiana Tech University, 1971 August 1989 To my mother, Mrs. Willie B. Carter, who has been very supportive throughout the undertaking of this project. Preface This dissertation is a study of Robert Floyd Kennon, a conservative reformer, who served as governor of Louisiana from 1952-1956. He promised efficiency in the management of state government. Kennon left his reform mark on Louisiana, for he implemented his reform program of redistributing power and resources for societal benefit. My purpose in writing this dissertation is not only to describe Kennon's reform program, but to discuss those events in his life, before his governorship, that had an indelible impact on his actions as governor. I should like to acknowledge my indebtedness to the many individuals whose assistance and encouragement made the writing of this dissertation a reality. First, I must thank my major advisor, Professor Mark T. Carleton, for his invaluable, incisive comments. Thanks are also due to the members of my reading committee. I also owe a debt to members of my family who offered prayers and encouragement throughout my graduate schooling: my mother, Willie B. Carter? my sister, Willie Ruth; and my brothers, Jeff, Jr., and Joseph. My cousin, Wiley G. Carter, and Rosa D. Pearce, a family friend, are not to be forgotten for their kindness in helping me to travel to various places. I would like to thank Minnie T. Bailey, emeritus head of the Department of History, Philosophy, and Geography, at Grambling State University, for motivation and encouragement. I also wish to express my appreciation to Janet Moore and Margaret Dunn, typists, for their patience, thoughtfulness, and cheerful demeanor. In addition, I also owe a debt of gratitude to: Emogene Pliner, Vice President of Research, Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, Inc.; Wilna Mabry, Bossier Parish Clerk of Court; Herbert L. Sumrall, Director of Louisiana's Department of Civil Service; Lewis M. Morris, Jr., Associate Director, Louisiana Archives and Records Service; Edwin W. Edwards, former governor of Louisiana; Noel Byars, former mayor of Minden, Louisiana; Robert Floyd Kennon, Jr.; Mrs. Jack Kennedy; Harolyn Thompson; A. D. Smith, Jr.; the late Graydon K. Kitchens, Sr.; Scott Rabalais; Norma Duncan; Allen Johnson; Michael Kennon; Clyde DeBerry; Morgan Peoples; Billy Williams; Glen Jeansonne; Edward Henderson; the Department of the Army, United States; the National Archives and Records Administration; the Presbytery of the Pines; the Historical Foundation of the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches, Inc.; the Office of the Webster Parish Clerk of Court; the International Association of Lions Clubs; the Louisiana Legislative Council; the Louisiana State Archives; the Hill Memorial Library at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge; the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana; the A. C. Lewis Memorial Library at Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana; the Prescott Memorial Library at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana; the Webster Parish Library in Minden, Louisiana; the Louisiana State Library in Baton Rouge; the Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport, Louisiana; and the Lincoln Parish Library in Ruston, Louisiana. I am indebted to all of these people and institutions, but the responsibility for the contents of this work is mine. v Table of Contents Page Preface ........ iii List of Tables ....................................... vii Abstract ............................................. viii Chapter I. The Formative Years ........................... 1 II. The Municipal Reformer ........................ 22 III. The Young District Attorney .................. 48 IV. Soldier and J u r i s t ............................ 92 V. The Disappointing Gubernatorial and Senatorial Campaigns of 1948 .............. 135 VI. The Successful Gubernatorial Campaign of 1952 ....................................... 192 VII. Governor of Louisiana: 1952-54 .............. 230 VIII. Governor of Louisiana: 1954-56 ........ 324 IX. Conclusion .................................... 365 Bibliography.......... 374 Vita ................................................. 383 vi List of Tables Table Page 1. Votes in Webster and Bossier Parishes ........... 60 2. Second Primary - October 1940 ................... 107 3. Candidates and Votes— First Primary, Gubernatorial Election, 1948 .................. 188 4. Official Returns of the Louisiana Democratic Primary Election Held August 31, 1948, Senatorial Votes .............................. 189 5. Candidates and Votes— Democratic Senatorial Primary, 1948 (Short Term Senators) .......... 191 6. Candidates and Votes: First Primary, Gubernatorial Election, 1952 .................. 229 7. Candidates and Votes: Second Primary, Gubernatorial Election, 1952 .................. 229 vii Abstract This dissertation is a study of Robert Floyd Kennon, reform governor of Louisiana, from 1952-1956. Kennon was born on August 21, 1902, near Minden, Louisiana* He received his bachelor's degrees from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in Liberal Arts and Law in 1923 and 1925, respectively. In 1925, he began the practice of law in Minden, and was elected as mayor of the town at age twenty-three. Five years later, he sought and won, the office of District Attorney, for the Twenty-Sixth Judicial District, a position he held for ten years. He was a staff officer in Europe during World War II, then returned home, where he served as a judge on the state Court of Appeal, Second Circuit, and on the Louisiana Supreme Court. In 1948, Kennon ran for the coveted spot of governor, but lost. Undaunted, he next sought a seat in the United State Senate, but lost again. In 1952, he finally won the governor's seat, after waging a brilliantly orchestrated campaign. Kennon promised good-government reforms which would redistribute power and resources for societal benefit. He viii pledged efficiency in the management of state government. The conservative reformer Kennon carried out his campaign pledges of reorganizing the Budget Office by consolidating the offices of Auditor and Supervisor of Public Funds. He secured constitutional status for the statewide civil service system. His administration established citizen boards to control and supervise the spending of the departments of welfare, highways, and institutions. All voting precincts received voting machines. Kennon helped to create