GILBERTIAN BATTLE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 45, 15 October 1931, Page 3

GILBERTIAN BATTLE

(Press Assn.-

MILITIA'S PUZZLE QUARREL OVER GOVERNORSHIP OF STATE OF LOUISIANA TWO GOVERNORS' OR NONE?

— By Telegraph — Copyright.)

Rec. Oct. 14, 8.45 p.m. NEW YORK, Tuesday. A message from Baton Rouge states that as a result of an extraordinary climax to a lengthy battle for the State Democratic leadership between Mr. H. Long, a picturesque political battler, and Mr. Paul Cyr, Louisiana is in the unique position of having perhaps two governors, or perhaps none at all. Mr Long has been governor, but has also been elected to the United States Senate. Mr Cyr, who is lieut.governor, claims the right to assume the governorship, asserting that Mr. Long is now unable to retain the position. Mr Long, however, claims that he is governor until the active Senate session commences. Mr Long to-day left the city and Mr Cyr took the oath of office as governor. Mr Long, hearing the news, rushed to the State House and ordered the city militia to prevent Mr Cyr from entering the Capitol. He then appointed a new lieutenant-governor, arguing that Mr Cyr had automatically forfeited that post and had reduced himself to the situatibn of holding a new position. Mr Cyr then ordered the troops to retire, but the militia commandant refused, saying that he would obey the orders first received. It is not known who is now able to revoke or change the militia's orders, if anyone originally had the right to give them.