Oramel Hinckley Simpson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 39thGovernor of Louisiana | |
| In office October 11, 1926 – May 21, 1928 | |
| Lieutenant | Philip H. Gilbert |
| Preceded by | Henry L. Fuqua |
| Succeeded by | Huey Long |
| 31st Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana | |
| In office May 13, 1924 – October 11, 1926 | |
| Governor | Henry L. Fuqua |
| Preceded by | Delos Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Philip Gilbert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Oramel Hinckley Simpson (1870-03-20)March 20, 1870 Washington, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 17, 1932(1932-11-17) (aged 62) New Orleans,Louisiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Greenwood Cemetery |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Education | Centenary College of Louisiana Tulane University |
Oramel Hinckley Simpson (March 20, 1870 – November 17, 1932) became the 39thgovernor of Louisiana upon the death of his predecessor,Henry L. Fuqua.[1]
Simpson was born to Samuel Simpson and Mary Esther (Beer) Simpson inWashington,St. Landry Parish, Louisiana on March 20, 1870 and was educated atCentenary College at Jackson andTulane UniversityLaw School.[2][3] He married Louise Ernestine Pichet in 1899 and that year began public service as a warrant clerk at theNew Orleans Mint.[4]
Before winning statewide office, Simpson spent more than two decades in theLouisiana Senate’s administrative leadership: assistant secretary (1900–1908) and secretary (1908–1924). He also served as secretary of the 1921 state constitutional convention.[4][3] He was electedLieutenant Governor of Louisiana in 1924 and served until he succeeded to the governorship after the death ofHenry L. Fuqua on October 11, 1926.[1]
Simpson’s tenure as governor opened amid a dispute over a state franchise to build a toll bridge across the eastern side ofLake Pontchartrain fromNew Orleans toSlidell—a project backed by then Mayor of New OrleansMartin Behrman.[5] Simpson opposed the toll franchise and promoted a toll-free crossing fromChef Menteur; although the franchise went forward, his administration authorized a free ferry so motorists could avoid the toll.[4][6][7]
In this period Louisiana’s anti-masking statute—aimed atKu Klux Klan activity but with exceptions for events likeMardi Gras—was upheld by thestate supreme court in 1925, shortly before Simpson took office.[8][5]
During theGreat Mississippi Flood of 1927, Simpson ordered a downriver breach of the levee to lower pressure on New Orleans. The decision flooded communities below the city; although compensation was promised, contemporary and later accounts described payments as limited and uneven.[9] Simpson also helped organize a tri-state flood-control commission withMississippi andArkansas following the disaster to secure federal aid for flood prevention.[4][10][11]
Simpson ran in the1928 Democratic primary for governor but lost toHuey P. Long. He then practiced law inNew Orleans and held state posts, including service as a special agent to the Louisiana tax commission and legal representative for the inheritance tax collector. Simpson later became Secretary of the State Senate.[2] Simpson died of a heart seizure in New Orleans on November 17, 1932, and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery.[4][3]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forLieutenant Governor of Louisiana 1924 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana May 13, 1924–October 11, 1926 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of Louisiana October 11, 1926–May 21, 1928 | Succeeded by |
