Changes

==Republican campaign for Congress, 1956==

==Republican campaign for Congress, 1956==

In 1956, Calhoun Allen was a 34-year-old [[Republican Party|Republican]], a supporter of President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]'s reelection, and his party's candidate for the 4th congressional district seat long held by the popular Democrat Thomas Overton Brooks (1897-1961). Allen's campaign was directed by his friend, Shreveport businessman and civic leader Charles Thomas Beaird, who earlier in the year had been elected as a Republican on the Caddo Parish Police Jury (renamed in 1984 as the Caddo Parish Commission). Political advertising showed World War II veterans Eisenhower and Allen shaking hands and outlined their points of similarity. Allen stressed the need for two-party politics and said that the one-party South could benefit from an infusion of Republicanism. He attacked Democratic presidential nominee [[Adlai Stevenson]] of [[Illinois]] as "radical" in nature, while Eisenhower, he said, was "moderate on [[civil rights]].<ref name=tst>''The Shreveport Times]],'' November 4, 1956, p. 2B.</ref>​

In 1956, Calhoun Allen was a 34-year-old [[Republican Party|Republican]], a supporter of President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]'s reelection, and his party's candidate for the 4th congressional district seat long held by the popular Democrat Thomas Overton Brooks (1897-1961). Allen's campaign was directed by his friend, Shreveport businessman and civic leader Charles Thomas Beaird, who earlier in the year had been elected as a Republican on the Caddo Parish Police Jury (renamed in 1984 as the Caddo Parish Commission). Political advertising showed World War II veterans Eisenhower and Allen shaking hands and outlined their points of similarity. Allen stressed the need for two-party politics and said that the one-party South could benefit from an infusion of Republicanism. He attacked Democratic presidential nominee [[Adlai Stevenson]] of [[Illinois]] as "radical" in nature, while Eisenhower, he said, was "moderate on [[civil rights]].<ref name=tst>''The Shreveport Times,'' November 4, 1956, p. 2B.</ref>​

​

​

Congressman Brooks, who had served since 1937, endorsed Stevenson: "I have always been a Democrat and am too old to change now." Allen questioned Brooks' constituent services. He asked why there was inadequate postal service in Springhill in northern Webster Parish. Roy Fish, a Springhill attorney and then the chairman of the Webster Parish Republican Party, said that Brooks appeared to be attempting to coast to victory "on the coattails of both parties." [[Clem S. Clarke]], the Shreveport Republican oilman who had unsuccessfully challenged the election of Democrat [[Russell Long]] to the [[U.S. Senate]] in the 1948 general election, declared in an Allen advertisement: "We need a Southern Republican." Allen also won some Democratic support but not nearly at the level needed to win the election.<ref name=tst/>​

Congressman Brooks, who had served since 1937, endorsed Stevenson: "I have always been a Democrat and am too old to change now." Allen questioned Brooks' constituent services. He asked why there was inadequate postal service in Springhill in northern Webster Parish. Roy M. Fish, a Springhill attorney and then the chairman of the Webster Parish Republican Party, said that Brooks appeared to be attempting to coast to victory "on the coattails of both parties." [[Clem S. Clarke]], the Shreveport Republican oilman who had unsuccessfully challenged the election of Democrat [[Russell Long]] to the [[U.S. Senate]] in the 1948 general election, declared in an Allen advertisement: "We need a Southern Republican." Allen also won some Democratic support but not nearly at the level needed to win the election.<ref name=tst/>​

​

​

In addition to the Allen campaign, Republicans in 1956 offered a congressional candidate in Louisiana's 2nd congressional district, which then encompassed parts of New Orleans and suburban Jefferson Parish. He was George R. Blue, an attorney. Attracted to Blue's candidacy but still a Democrat was a young Metairie attorney, [[David C. Treen]], who would later become the first Louisiana Republican to win a seat in Congress<ref>Grover Rees, III, ''Dave Treen of Louisiana'' (Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Moran Publishing Company, 1979), p. 40.</ref> and to hold the governorship as well, beginning in March 1980.​

In addition to the Allen campaign, Republicans in 1956 offered a congressional candidate in Louisiana's 2nd congressional district, which then encompassed parts of New Orleans and suburban Jefferson Parish. He was George R. Blue, an attorney. Attracted to Blue's candidacy but still a Democrat was a young Metairie attorney, [[David C. Treen]], who would later become the first Louisiana Republican to win a seat in Congress<ref>Grover Rees, III, ''Dave Treen of Louisiana'' (Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Moran Publishing Company, 1979), p. 40.</ref> and to hold the governorship as well, beginning in March 1980.​

In the Second District, incumbent Thomas Hale Boggs (1914-1972) defeated George Blue by a margin only slightly less impressive than Brooks' triumph over Allen, 69,715 (64.5 percent) to 38,344 (35.5 percent).<ref name=1956returns/> Like Allen, Blue would later switch to the Democratic Party. Whereas Allen became a city commissioner and then mayor and even later briefly a city council member, Blue was elected in 1964 to an at-large seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives  from Jefferson Parish.​

In the Second District, incumbent Thomas Hale Boggs (1914-1972) defeated George Blue by a margin only slightly less impressive than Brooks' triumph over Allen, 69,715 (64.5 percent) to 38,344 (35.5 percent).<ref name=1956returns/> Like Allen, Blue would later switch to the Democratic Party. Whereas Allen became a city commissioner and then mayor and even later briefly a city council member, Blue was elected in 1964 to an at-large seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives  from Jefferson Parish.​

​

​

From 1962 to 1970, Allen was the elected public utilities commissioner under the former commission form of municipal government. His colleagues included veteran members [[H. Lane Mitchell]] at public works and John McWilliams Ford at finance, and newcomer George W. D'Artois at public safety, who had unseated the two-term commissioner [[J. Earl Downs]]. Allen cited those eight years of municipal experience when he launched his first mayoral campaign in 1970. Incumbent Democrat Clyde Edward Fant (1905-1973), stepped down after five nonconsecutive terms in part because of health considerations.​

From 1962 to 1970, Allen was the elected public utilities commissioner under the former commission form of municipal government. His colleagues included veteran members [[H. Lane Mitchell]] at public works and John McWilliams Ford at finance, and newcomer George W. D'Artois at public safety, who had unseated the two-term commissioner [[J. Earl Downs]]. Allen cited those eight years of municipal experience when he launched his first mayoral campaign in 1970. Incumbent Democrat Clyde Edward Fant (1905-1973), stepped down after five nonconsecutive terms in part because of health considerations.​

Allen was honored by the L. Calhoun Allen Exposition Hall on the Clyde Fant Parkway. The facility was part of the Red River convention complex but was considered too small for conventions but suitable for gun shows and similar events, but the acoustics rendered it undesirable for concerts. The facility was hence renamed StageWorks of Louisiana.​

Allen was honored by the L. Calhoun Allen Exposition Hall on the Clyde Fant Parkway. The facility was part of the Red River convention complex but was considered too small for conventions but suitable for gun shows and similar events, but the acoustics rendered it undesirable for concerts. The facility was hence renamed StageWorks of Louisiana.​

​

​

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}]

{{reflist}]