Changes

== Leche as governor ==

== Leche as governor ==

After Huey Long was assassinated in September 1935, the Long organization was left without a leader and without a candidate for the 1936 gubernatorial election. From that deadlock, Leche was supported as a compromise candidate.  Despite his political obscurity, Leche defeated with [[pro-Long]] faction backing the anti-Long candidate Cleveland Dear (1888-1950), a [[U.S. Representative]] from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], with the aid of the still-powerful Long machine. Leche polled 67 percent of the primary vote, and the anti-Long forces seemed beyond recovery.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State,  Primary election returns, January 21, 1936.</ref>  

After Huey Long was assassinated in September 1935, the Long organization was left without a leader and without a candidate for the 1936 gubernatorial election. From that deadlock, Leche was supported as a compromise candidate.  Despite his political obscurity, Leche defeated with [[pro-Long]] faction backing the [[anti-Long]] candidate Cleveland Dear (1888-1950), a [[U.S. Representative]] from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], with the aid of the still-powerful Long machine. Leche polled 67 percent of the primary vote, and the anti-Long forces seemed beyond recovery.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State,  Primary election returns, January 21, 1936.</ref>  

Governor Leche presented vowed to continue Long's program of road-building, the expansion of educational and hospital facilities, and free school textbooks. He proposed a tax on soft drinks, a $2,000 homestead exemption (now $75,000) extended to the surviving spouses and widows, keeping public payrolls at the maximum to reduce unemployment, and establishment of a state department of industry and commerce.<ref>"Leche Takes Office Today and Gives 26-Point Plan, ''Minden Signal-Tribune'' and ''Springhill Journal,'' May 12, 1936, p. 1.</ref>

Governor Leche presented vowed to continue Long's program of road-building, the expansion of educational and hospital facilities, and free school textbooks. He proposed a tax on soft drinks, a $2,000 homestead exemption (now $75,000) extended to the surviving spouses and widows, keeping public payrolls at the maximum to reduce unemployment, and establishment of a state department of industry and commerce.<ref>"Leche Takes Office Today and Gives 26-Point Plan, ''Minden Signal-Tribune'' and ''Springhill Journal,'' May 12, 1936, p. 1.</ref>