Changes

{{Infobox officeholder

{{Infobox officeholder

|name=deLesseps Story<br> "Chep" Morrison, Sr.​

|name=DeLesseps Story<br> "Chep" Morrison, Sr.​

|office=54th [[Mayor]] of [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]​

|office=54th [[Mayor]] of [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]​

|term_start=April 4, 1946​

|term_start=April 4, 1946​

|death_date=May 22, 1964 (aged 52) ​

|death_date=May 22, 1964 (aged 52) ​

|death_place=Ciudad Victoria, [[Mexico]]​

|death_place=Ciudad Victoria, [[Mexico]]​

|alma_mater=Poydras Academy<br>

|alma_mater=Poydras Academy<br>

(New Roads)

(New Roads)

LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center​ ([[Baton Rouge]])

LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center​ ([[Baton Rouge]])

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]​

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]​

|spouse=Corinne Waterman Morrison (married 1942-1959, her death)​

|spouse=Corinne Adele Waterman Morrison (married 1942-1959, her death)​

|children=deLesseps "Toni" Morrison, Jr. (1944–1996)

|children=deLesseps "Toni" Morrison, Jr. (1944–1996)

Corinne Ann Morrison (born 1947)<br>

Corinne Ann Morrison<br>(born 1947)<br>

Randolph Waterman "Randy" Morrison (1956–1964)​<br>

Randolph Waterman "Randy" Morrison (1956–1964)​<br>

'''Parents''':<br>

'''Parents''':<br>

Jacob Haight, III, and Anita Oliver Morrison

Jacob Haight, III, and Anita Oliver Morrison

|relations=Jacob Haight Morrison, Jr. (half-brother)​

|relations=Jacob Haight Morrison, IV (half-brother)​

|occupation=[[Attorney]]<br>

|occupation=[[Attorney]]<br>

[[United States Army]]<br>Major General<br> in [[World War II]]}}​

[[United States Army]]<br>Major General<br> in [[World War II]]

}}

 

'''DeLesseps Story Morrison, Sr.''', known as '''Chep Morrison''' (January 12, 1912 &ndash; May 22, 1964),<ref>Morrison's first name is only capitalized if it is the first word of a sentence.</ref> was the [[mayor]] of [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]] from 1946 to 1961 who made three unsuccessful [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] campaigns for [[governor]], losing in 1956 to [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], in 1960 to [[Jimmie Davis]], and in 1964 to [[John J. McKeithen]].

'''DeLesseps Story Morrison, Sr.''', known as '''Chep Morrison''' (January 12, 1912 &ndash; May 22, 1964),<ref>Morrison's first name is only capitalized if it is the first word of a sentence.</ref> was the [[mayor]] of [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]] from 1946 to 1961 who made three unsuccessful [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] campaigns for [[governor]], losing in 1956 to [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], in 1960 to [[Jimmie Davis]], and in 1964 to [[John J. McKeithen]].

==Background==

==Background==

Morrison was born in New Roads in Pointe Coupee Parish in east Louisiana, a son of Jacob Haight Morrison, III (1975-1929), the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, and the former Anita Oliver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207447736/jacob-haight-morrison|title=Jacob Haight Morrison, III|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography'' indicates that Morrison's mother was Anita Olivier (not Oliver) Morrison.</ref> whose years of birth and death are unavailable. He graduated from Poydras Academy in New Roads and in 1932 from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]]. Two years later he received his law degree from the LSU Law Center. In the [[Great Depression]], Morrison became a trial [[attorney]] with the [[New Deal]] agency, the [[National Recovery Administration]].<ref name=lahist/>  

Morrison was born in New Roads in Pointe Coupee Parish in east Louisiana, a son of Jacob Haight Morrison, III (1975-1929), the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District,<ref>JacobJaight Morrison, III, died in office after twenty years as 18th Judicial Court district attorney and was succeeded in the post by former Lieutenant Governor [[Hewitt Bouanchaud]], a member of another old family in New Roads.</ref> and the former Anita Oliver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207447736/jacob-haight-morrison|title=Jacob Haight Morrison, III|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography'' indicates that Morrison's mother was Anita Olivier (not Oliver) Morrison.</ref> whose years of birth and death are unavailable. He graduated from Poydras Academy in New Roads and in 1932 from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]]. Two years later he received his law degree from the LSU Law Center. In the [[Great Depression]], Morrison became a trial [[attorney]] with the [[New Deal]] agency, the [[National Recovery Administration]].<ref name=lahist/>  

In 1936, Morrison began a  legal partnership with his half-brother Jacob Haight Morrison, IV, and [[Hale Boggs]], later the long-term [[U.S. Representative]] for Louisiana's 2nd congressional district. Boggs' wife and successor in the House, Corinne Claiborne "Lindy" Boggs (1916-2013), was a cousin of Chep Morrison.<ref name=lahist>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-louisiana-biography-m/|title=Morrison, DeLesseps Story|publisher=''A  Dictionary of Louisiana Politics'': Louisiana Historical Association|accessdate=May 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography'' uses the sources for its article on Mayor Morrison: Edward F. Haas, ''DeLesseps S. Morrison and the Image of Reform: New Orleans Politics, 1946-1961'' (1974); Edward Haas, “DeLesseps S. Morrison and the Governorship: A Reassessment,” ''Louisiana Studies,'' XV (1976); Michael L. Kurtz, “deLesseps S. Morrison: Political Reformer,” ''Louisiana History,'' XVII (1976), and Joseph B. Parker, ''The Morrison Era: Reform Politics in New Orleans'' (1974).</ref>

In 1936, Morrison began a  legal partnership with his half-brother [[Jacob Haight Morrison, IV]], and [[Hale Boggs]], later the long-term [[U.S. Representative]] for Louisiana's 2nd congressional district. Boggs' wife and successor in the House, [[Lindy Boggs|Corinne Claiborne "Lindy" Boggs]] (1916–2013), was a cousin of Chep Morrison.<ref name=lahist>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-louisiana-biography-m/|title=Morrison, DeLesseps Story|publisher=''A  Dictionary of Louisiana Politics'': Louisiana Historical Association|accessdate=May 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography'' uses the sources for its article on Mayor Morrison: Edward F. Haas, ''DeLesseps S. Morrison and the Image of Reform: New Orleans Politics, 1946-1961'' (1974); Edward Haas, “DeLesseps S. Morrison and the Governorship: A Reassessment,” ''Louisiana Studies,'' XV (1976); Michael L. Kurtz, “deLesseps S. Morrison: Political Reformer,” ''Louisiana History,'' XVII (1976), and Joseph B. Parker, ''The Morrison Era: Reform Politics in New Orleans'' (1974).</ref>

On October 3, 1942, the 30-year-old Morrison married Corinne Adele Waterman (1921-1959) of New Orleans. She died a few months before he launched his 1959 gubernatorial campaign. The couple had three children: deLesseps Story “Toni” Morrison, Jr. (1944-1996), who like his father died at the age of fifty-two, Corinne Ann Morrison (born 1947) and John Randolph "Randy" Waterman Morrison (1956-1964)<ref name=lahist/>

==Political life==

==Political life==

In 1939, Morrison helped in the organization of the People’s League of Independent Voters, New Orleans. He represented District 12 in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1940 to 1946,  when he resigned to become mayor, having unseated the [[Huey Long|pro-Long]] Robert Sidney Maestri (1899-1974).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2024 (Orleans Parish)|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=May 14, 2020}}</ref> He was aligned with the [[Earl Long|anti-Long]] political faction. He served in the [[United States Army]] while officially a state legislator and rose to the rank of first, a colonel. He was a recipient of the [[Bronze Star]], served in [[England]], [[France]], [[Belgium]], and [[Germany]]. In 1944, he won legislative reelection in absentia while in the Army.<ref name=lahist/>

In 1939, Morrison helped in the organization of the People's League of Independent Voters, New Orleans. He represented District 12 in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1940 to 1946,  when he resigned to become mayor, having unseated the [[pro-Long]] Robert Sidney Maestri (1899-1974).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2024 (Orleans Parish)|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=May 14, 2020}}</ref> He was aligned with the [[Earl Long|anti-Long]] political faction. He served in the [[United States Army]] while officially a state legislator and rose to the rank of first, a colonel. He was a recipient of the [[Bronze Star]], served in [[England]], [[France]], [[Belgium]], and [[Germany]]. In 1944, he won legislative reelection in absentia while in the Army.<ref name=lahist/>

In 1942, the 30-year-old Morrison wed 21-year-old Corinne Adele Waterman (1921-1959) of New Orleans<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5836036/corinne-adele-morrison|title=Corinne Adele Waterman Morrison|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 14, 2020}}</ref> The couple had three children: deLesseps "Toni", Jr. (1944-1996), Corinne Ann Morrison (born 1947), and  John Randolph Waterman "Randy" Morrison (1957-1964). After the war, Morrison remained in the U. S. Army Reserve and attained the rank of major general. He founded the  Crescent City Democratic Association which push him to victory in the 1946 mayoral election. The Crescent City organization sparred with the Long-backed "Old Regulars." Morrison pushed for street construction, improved drainage, creation of city recreation department, a modern civic center complex, completed in 1957 and named for later Mayor Ernest Nathan "Dutch" Morial (1929-1989), the first of New Orleans' string of [[African-American]] mayors. he encouragement of new trade and industry, establishment of municipal office of international relations, implementation of home rule charter that created the current mayor-council form of government and enactment of a comprehensive zoning ordinance. On his watch, Morrison also had police scandals, the spoils system, inadequate planning, and weak leadership during the 1959-1960 public school [[Segregation|desegregation]] crisis.<ref name=lahist/>

After the war, Morrison remained in the U. S. Army Reserve and attained the rank of major general. He founded the  Crescent City Democratic Association which push him to victory in the 1946 mayoral election. The Crescent City organization sparred with the Long-backed "Old Regulars." Morrison pushed for street construction, improved drainage, creation of city recreation department, a modern civic center complex, completed in 1957 and named for later Mayor Ernest Nathan "Dutch" Morial (1929-1989), the first of New Orleans' string of [[African-American]] mayors. he encouragement of new trade and industry, establishment of municipal office of international relations, implementation of home rule charter that created the current mayor-council form of government and enactment of a comprehensive zoning ordinance. On his watch, Morrison also had police scandals, the spoils system, inadequate planning, and weak leadership during the 1959-1960 public school [[Segregation|desegregation]] crisis.<ref name=lahist/>

In 1950, Morrison was named national president of the American Municipal Association. In 1953, he won the  La Guardia Award, named for former [[New York City]] Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. He was a strong supporter of [[John F. Kennedy]] in the 1960 presidential election in which Kennedy easily won the electoral vote in Louisiana over [[Republican Party|Republica]] [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Richard M. Nixon]]. From 1961, wqhen he resigned as mayor4 until he announced again for governor in 1963, he was the United States Ambassador to the Organization of American States, He was a [[Roman Catholic]].<ref name=lahist/>Some speculated this urban Catholic background worked against him the gubernatorial campaigns; not until 1972 did a Catholic, [[Edwin Edwards]], win the governorship. When Morrison ran for mayor, the south Louisiana vote was not as large or as organized as were the voters in north Louisiana, where many parishes since declined in population over the past decades.

In 1950, Morrison was named national president of the American Municipal Association. In 1953, he won the  La Guardia Award, named for former [[New York City]] Mayor [[Fiorello La Guardia]]. He was a strong supporter of [[John F. Kennedy]] in the 1960 presidential election in which Kennedy easily won the electoral vote in Louisiana over [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Richard M. Nixon]]. In 1961, Morrison resigned as mayor to become the United States Ambassador to the [[Organization of American States]] under appointment from President Kennedy. He left that post in 1963 to make his third bid for governor was a [[Roman Catholic]].<ref name=lahist/> Some speculated this urban Catholic background worked against him the gubernatorial campaigns; not until 1972 did a Catholic, [[Edwin Edwards]], win the governorship. When Morrison ran for mayor, the south Louisiana vote was not as large or as organized as were the voters in north Louisiana, where many parishes since declined in population over the past decades.

==Death at 52==

==Death at 52==

Morrison and his younger son, "Randy," died near Cuidad Victoria, [[Mexico]] in the spring of 1964, five months after he lost the third race for governor to John McKeithen. Morrison and his wife and sons are interred at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5833861/delesseps-story-morrison|title=deLesseps Story Morrison|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 14, 2020}}</ref>

Morrison and his younger son, "Randy," died near Ciudad Victoria, [[Mexico]] in the spring of 1964, five months after he lost the third race for governor to John McKeithen. Morrison and his wife and sons are interred at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5833861/delesseps-story-morrison|title=deLesseps Story Morrison|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=May 14, 2020}}</ref>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Attorneys]]

[[Category:Attorneys]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Mayors]]

[[Category:Mayors]]

[[Category:Diplomats]]

[[Category:Diplomats]]