Changes

Representative Wilson led the move to establish the town of Independence, located five miles south of Amite. In 1902 and 1903, he corresponded with [[Governor]] William Wright Heard (1853-1926) regarding incorporation of the community, which at the time had a population of 308. Governor Heard informed Wilson that he considered the three square miles proposed for the new town too much land for a small village and suggested that the tract be reduced. Originally named "Uncle Sam," Independence had begun in 1852 when the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad began operating through the area. Independence was finally proclaimed a town on August 22, 1912.

Representative Wilson led the move to establish the town of Independence, located five miles south of Amite. In 1902 and 1903, he corresponded with [[Governor]] William Wright Heard (1853-1926) regarding incorporation of the community, which at the time had a population of 308. Governor Heard informed Wilson that he considered the three square miles proposed for the new town too much land for a small village and suggested that the tract be reduced. Originally named "Uncle Sam," Independence had begun in 1852 when the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad began operating through the area. Independence was finally proclaimed a town on August 22, 1912.

   

   

When Ruffin G. Pleasant (1871-1937) of [[Shreveport]] was elected governor in 1916, voters also chose Wilson as agriculture commissioner, a position to which he was reelected  seven times. Under Wilson, the agriculture department established the ''Market Bulletin,'' a newspaper that allowed landowners and farmers a means by which to purchase and sell agriculture-related goods and services. Wilson  developed the department's seed laboratory and increased the emphasis on entomology. Later, a full-time entomologist, Sidney Jackson McCrory (1911-1985) of Ascension Parish, was hired; McCrory was elected for a single four-year term as agriculture commissioner in 1956. Wilson established an agricultural museum in the basement of the Louisiana State Capitol in [[Baton Rouge]]. For twenty-two years Wilson was the chairman of the Southern Commissioners of Agriculture Association. Wilson was an organizer of the Cotton Consumption Council and a president of the [[interest group]], the Association for the Increased Use of Cotton.<ref name=hdw>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/News/MarketBulletins/mb2008-07-03.pdf|author=Bill Sherman|title="Louisiana ag chiefs: past and present," July 3, 2008|publisher=ldaf.state.la.us|accessdate=May 1, 2013; no longer on-line}}</ref>

When Ruffin Golson Pleasant (1871-1937) of [[Shreveport]] was elected governor in 1916, voters also chose Wilson as agriculture commissioner, a position to which he was reelected  seven times. Under Wilson, the agriculture department established the ''Market Bulletin,'' a newspaper that allowed landowners and farmers a means by which to purchase and sell agriculture-related goods and services. Wilson  developed the department's seed laboratory and increased the emphasis on entomology. Later, a full-time entomologist, Sidney Jackson McCrory (1911-1985) of Ascension Parish, was hired; McCrory was elected for a single four-year term as agriculture commissioner in 1956. Wilson established an agricultural museum in the basement of the Louisiana State Capitol in [[Baton Rouge]]. For twenty-two years Wilson was the chairman of the Southern Commissioners of Agriculture Association. Wilson was an organizer of the Cotton Consumption Council and a president of the [[interest group]], the Association for the Increased Use of Cotton.<ref name=hdw>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/News/MarketBulletins/mb2008-07-03.pdf|author=Bill Sherman|title="Louisiana ag chiefs: past and present," July 3, 2008|publisher=ldaf.state.la.us|accessdate=May 1, 2013; no longer on-line}}</ref>

In June 19, 1933, [[U.S. Representative]] Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Sr., the father of Harry Wilson's son-in-law, [[Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Jr.]], of Louisiana's 6th congressional district, died unexpectedly of a [[heart attack]] at his home in Amite. His seat ordinarily would have been filled through a special primary and general election. Governor Oscar Kelly Allen (1882-1936) waited until December 1933 to declare that a [[special election]] would be held eight days from the date of his announcement. Allen named Kemp's widow, the former Esther Edwards Conner, known as "Lallie" Kemp, as the "unopposed" Democratic nominee.  Many protested Allen's  announcement, and ballots were destroyed or burned in several locations within the district.  After state election officials nevertheless declared Lallie Kemp the winner of the special election, a committee of citizens staged a "revolt election," won by [[Jared Y. Sanders, Jr.]], of Baton Rouge, the son of former Governor Jared Y. Sanders, Sr. (1869-1944), and supported by district [[conservative]]s and anti-[[Huey Long|Long]] elements. In January 1934, Mrs. Kemp and Sanders presented their competing claims to the U. S. House.  The United States House Committee on Elections refused to seat either candidate, and the full House concurred by voice vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0A10FD3D5D1B728DDDAA0894D9405B848FF1D3|title=LOUISIANA CONTEST UP IN HOUSE TODAY; Rivalry for Seat Between Mrs. Kemp and Sanders Involves Fight on Long. MAY GO TO A COMMITTEE Democrats to Hold Caucus to End Rule for 145 Signatures on Petition|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=January 3, 1934|accessdate=June 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00616FF3E5D167A93C2AA178AD85F408385F9|title=HOUSE UPHOLDS BAN ON LOUISIANA SEAT; Elections Committee Is Sustained on Ruling Out of Mrs. Kemp and Sanders|publisher=''The New York Times'', January 30, 1934, p. 3|accessdate=November 13, 2019; under pay wall}}</ref>

In June 19, 1933, [[U.S. Representative]] Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Sr., the father of Harry Wilson's son-in-law, [[Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Jr.]], of Louisiana's 6th congressional district, died unexpectedly of a [[heart attack]] at his home in Amite. His seat ordinarily would have been filled through a special primary and general election. Governor Oscar Kelly Allen (1882-1936) waited until December 1933 to declare that a [[special election]] would be held eight days from the date of his announcement. Allen named Kemp's widow, the former Esther Edwards Conner, known as "Lallie" Kemp, as the "unopposed" Democratic nominee.  Many protested Allen's  announcement, and ballots were destroyed or burned in several locations within the district.  After state election officials nevertheless declared Lallie Kemp the winner of the special election, a committee of citizens staged a "revolt election," won by [[Jared Y. Sanders, Jr.]], of Baton Rouge, the son of former Governor Jared Y. Sanders, Sr. (1869-1944), and supported by district [[conservative]]s and anti-[[Huey Long|Long]] elements. In January 1934, Mrs. Kemp and Sanders presented their competing claims to the U. S. House.  The United States House Committee on Elections refused to seat either candidate, and the full House concurred by voice vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0A10FD3D5D1B728DDDAA0894D9405B848FF1D3|title=LOUISIANA CONTEST UP IN HOUSE TODAY; Rivalry for Seat Between Mrs. Kemp and Sanders Involves Fight on Long. MAY GO TO A COMMITTEE Democrats to Hold Caucus to End Rule for 145 Signatures on Petition|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=January 3, 1934|accessdate=June 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00616FF3E5D167A93C2AA178AD85F408385F9|title=HOUSE UPHOLDS BAN ON LOUISIANA SEAT; Elections Committee Is Sustained on Ruling Out of Mrs. Kemp and Sanders|publisher=''The New York Times'', January 30, 1934, p. 3|accessdate=November 13, 2019; under pay wall}}</ref>