The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 49

Same old quarrels persist within the Louisiana Democratic Party hierarchy D-6 nil Id Wfi Section Editorial General News Alexandria Pincville, Sunday, November 16, 1975 Wade 0. Martin-7 Always Seemed fo Get Stuck With Ear' fight but Long succeeded by said he is particularly proud of his archives department, which has become a model of "Kingfish" Huey Long. "You talk about politics making strange bedfeuows," Martin laughed. "In the case of me and Earl Long, it was often physically true." Martin said Long used to pack all the candidates on his nine-member campaign slate into sound trucks and stump throughout the state, stopping in any community that could draw a crowd. Often those campaign sweeps, he said, would leave the candidates in the smallest and year to run for governor, will leave the Capitol next May as one of the most respected politicians in the state's history.

He was defeated for the first time in 32 years of campaigning. The man with the traditional bow tie and ready smile has many stories about his years in politics under eight gubernatorial administrations. His favorite stories, however, seem L. revolve around his early years with the colorful younger brother (Editor's note: This Is the first article In a series on Wade 0. Martin who bows out next spring after 32 years as Louisiana's secretary of state.) By Len Sanderson (Town Talk Capitol Bureau) BATON ROUGC, La.

-Only someone like Wade 0. Martin Jr. could sleep with former Louisiana Gov. Earl Long and come out with an unblemished reputation. Martin, who gave up his secretary of state office this 'U the Long ticket to go into off ice in 1944.

Martin contends the outcome was caused by something quite different: "I campaigned like hell." He said campaigning then consisted mostly of traveling the state in sound trucks and shaking as many hands as possible. He said $300,000 covered expenses of the nine-member state slate in that first race. Now, he pointed out, it costs nearly $1.5 million just to be elected governor. Martin first came to Baton Rouge from St. Martinville in 1932 to get a law degree from LSU.

He was fresh from from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette with a degree in education and a teaching certificate. As soon as he graduated, he took a job with Atty. Gen. Gaston Porterie as his assistant, turning down a scholarship to Yale. He remained there, handling, ironically, the secretary of state's business, until 1940 when he resigned to go into private practice.

"I was earning more, comparatively, then than I ever have in public life," he laughed. "But I was content and promised my mother I would stay out of politics." Martin's promise was broken four years later when he ran for secretary of state. "My mother said she was really not too surprised," he said. During his tenure, Martin has brought the secretary's office to a position of national prominence and, by nearly everyone's standards, has the best-run office in the state. Possibly the supreme compliment came from those seeking his post.

Both P.J. Mills and Paul Hardy have said they would not have run had Martin wished to remain in office. "That's not too bad," Martin smiled. "After 32 years in office, no one has a complaint." Martin is reticent about listing what he considers his greatest achievements, but one legislative vote in removing the insurance and voting machine departments from the secretary of state's jurisdiction. "Yes.

He got that one vote by promising a man he would be named Speaker of the House," Martin said. "That man became Speaker." After 32 years in office Martin said he isn't bitter about his recent loss. "Between my father and myself," he said, "my family has lost one time in 61 years. That isn't too bad." Martin, 64, was first elected secretary of state in 1944. He was not, however, completely new to politics.

Martin's father, the senior Wade 0., was a member of the Public Service Commission at the time of his son's election and was a powerful force in state politics. This influence might have had something to do with the son defeating incumbent James Gremillion, and becoming the only member of most out-of-the-way places in the state. "Old Earl never seemed to want to stay in what tourists would call the excellent hotels or motels," Martin said. "He always wanted to find the most out-of-way little places to spend the night. "There we would be," he continued.

"Nine candidates, sound truck drivers, campaign aides and about 20 hangers-on. There would be so little room we would often have to sleep two to a bed. I don't know what it was but for some reason I always seemed to get stuck with Earl." Martin said he has fond memories of each of the governors he served under and was personal friends with all of them. When discussing conflicts, headaches and good times, however, he always seems to return to Long. "There was one thing about Earl," Martin said.

"He always let you know where he was." Martin said Long came into his office one day and said Martin was getting too popular and was going to have to "have his wings clipped a little." He said Long told him he didn't particularly want a fight and he would appreciate it if Martin would "just let him win this one." "He told me he would just cut my job in half and raise my salary," Martin said. "I told him my job wasn't for sale and we braced ourselves for the fight of the century." Martin said it was a good ft' mmMtmlmmm0' the Beginning Wade 0. Martin Jr. and his wife Juliette pose for newsmen in 1944 as Martin embarked on his 32-year tenure as Louisiana's secretary of state. Martin said Juliette and their six children worked actively In all his campaigns.

for many other states. He also said he is proud of the numbering system he started on ballots to guard against election fraud and allow illiterates to vote without help. "My greatest achievement," he said, "is the way I have been able to surround myself with capable people. I personally hire and train all the office employes and encourage them to think. If they are making contributions and are involved, they will remain happy." Martin said his family's involvement in his political career was another enjoyment.

His wife of 36 years, the former Juliette Bonnett, and his six children worked actively in every campaign and were his biggest boosters. One would have to agree with his family appraisal After all, it would take ar understanding wife to allow her husband to sleep wit! Earl Long. 2250 People Fair game for fashion. Brigade Coats Jackets by Arrow You'd swear this elegant leather look came off the back of some rare animal. But it's easy-care vinyl.

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