Changes

Gleason was elected to succeed interim Representative [[Lizzie P. Thompson]] of Doyline, who also had been appointed by Governor Earl Long when her husband, Representative [[C. W. Thompson]], died in office in 1951. In his successful legislative race, Gleason ran newspaper advertising on the theme "Better Highways".<ref>''Minden Press,'' November 23, 1951, p. 9.</ref> As a lawmaker, Gleason worked alongside the Bossier-Webster state senators,  John Jones Doles, Sr. (1895-1970), a banker from Plain Dealing and [[Herman "Wimpy" Jones]], a [[business]]man from [[Bossier City]] and Minden. As a state representative, Gleason worked for an extra judgeship for the 26th Judicial District, the establishment of the National Guard armory on Constable Street in Minden (since relocated), expansion of the Cotton Valley oil field, and several highway projects.<ref name=edg>"E.D. Gleason Final Rites Held at Evergreen Today," ''Minden Herald,'' July 27, 1959, p. 1.</ref>​

Gleason was elected to succeed interim Representative [[Lizzie P. Thompson]] of Doyline, who also had been appointed by Governor Earl Long when her husband, Representative [[C. W. Thompson]], died in office in 1951. In his successful legislative race, Gleason ran newspaper advertising on the theme "Better Highways".<ref>''Minden Press,'' November 23, 1951, p. 9.</ref> As a lawmaker, Gleason worked alongside the Bossier-Webster state senators,  John Jones Doles, Sr. (1895-1970), a banker from Plain Dealing and [[Herman "Wimpy" Jones]], a [[business]]man from [[Bossier City]] and Minden. As a state representative, Gleason worked for an extra judgeship for the 26th Judicial District, the establishment of the National Guard armory on Constable Street in Minden (since relocated), expansion of the Cotton Valley oil field, and several highway projects.<ref name=edg>"E.D. Gleason Final Rites Held at Evergreen Today," ''Minden Herald,'' July 27, 1959, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1956, Gleason won another legislative term by defeating in a runoff election Dr. Paul Murdoch Campbell (1913-1987), who resigned from the Minden City Council to make the race. Gleason polled 4,236 votes to Campbell's 3,998.<ref>"Second Primary Official Returns Promulgated," ''Minden Herald,'' March 1, 1956, p. 1.</ref> In the earlier primary contest, two other candidates, Ennos Clyde Eeds (1904-1981) of Cullen, south of Springhill, and the Minden barber Homer D. Acklen (1907–1981), were eliminated from the competition.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' January 19, 1956, p. 1.</ref> In the campaign, Gleason voiced support for [[right-to-work]] legislation, which he said would strengthen [[organized labor]] by requiring the highest standards to recruit workers into union ranks.<ref>''Minden Herald'' (advertisement), January 26, 1956, p. 11.</ref>​

In 1956, Gleason won another legislative term by defeating in a runoff election Dr. Paul Murdoch Campbell (1913-1987), who resigned from the Minden City Council to make the race. Gleason polled 4,236 votes to Campbell's 3,998.<ref>"Second Primary Official Returns Promulgated," ''Minden Herald,'' March 1, 1956, p. 1.</ref> In the earlier primary contest, two other candidates, Ennos Clyde Eeds (1904-1981) of Cullen, south of Springhill, and the Minden barber Homer D. Acklen (1907–1981), were eliminated from the competition.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' January 19, 1956, p. 1.</ref>  

Gleason introduced a bill for a new one-cent state [[sales tax]] earmarked for teacher salaries. Governor Earl Long voiced opposition to the tax, but Gleason said that he believed Long would reverse himself if sufficient public support for the tax increase developed among the electorate.<ref>"Gleason Proposes 1-cent Sales Tax Bill," ''Minden Press,'' May 5, 1958, p. 1.</ref> He also supported [[segregation]], as did most Louisiana lawmakers at the time of the [[civil rights]] movement.<ref name=edg/> Gleason also supported a bill to make [[liability insurance]] compulsory.<ref>''Minden Press,'' February 24, 1958, p. 1.</ref> Gleason supported [[right-to-work]] legislation, his view having been that workers should not be forced into [[organized labor|union]] membership.<ref>Advertisement, ''Minden Herald'' and ''Webster Review'', January 26, 1956</ref> He also favored old-age pensions and expanded farm-to-market roads.<ref>''Minden Herald and Webster Review,'' December 8, 1955, p. 9.</ref>​

Gleason introduced a bill for a new one-cent state [[sales tax]] earmarked for teacher salaries. Governor Earl Long voiced opposition to the tax, but Gleason said that he believed Long would reverse himself if sufficient public support for the tax increase developed among the electorate.<ref>"Gleason Proposes 1-cent Sales Tax Bill," ''Minden Press,'' May 5, 1958, p. 1.</ref> He also supported [[segregation]], as did most Louisiana lawmakers at the time of the [[civil rights]] movement.<ref name=edg/> Gleason also supported a bill to make automobile liability insurance compulsory.<ref>''Minden Press,'' February 24, 1958, p. 1.</ref> Gleason supported [[right-to-work]] legislation, his view having been that workers should not be forced into [[organized labor|union]] membership.<ref>Advertisement, ''Minden Herald'' and ''Webster Review,'' January 26, 1956.</ref> He also favored old-age pensions and expanded farm-to-market roads.<ref>''Minden Herald and Webster Review,'' December 8, 1955, p. 9.</ref>​

==Choosing Gleason's successor==

==Choosing Gleason's successor==