A. P. Tugwell
Encyclopedia
Andrew Patrick Tugwell, Sr., known as A.P. "Pat" Tugwell (November 7, 1889–February 12, 1976), was the Democratic
state treasurer
of Louisiana
from 1936-1968. His 32-year tenure in the position is a state record. Tugwell was considered an authority on state spending and receipts. Before he was elected treasurer, Tugwell was the director of the state highway department.
in northern Bossier Parish. When Tugwell was a year old, his family moved to Winn Parish, birthplace of another Louisiana politician, Huey Pierce Long, Jr.
, who would help to shape Tugwell's own career.
After high school, Tugwell attended Northwestern State University
in Natchitoches
(then Louisiana Normal College). After he completed his college work, he taught school for a time in south Louisiana.
. As auditor of the railroad commission, Tugwell installed a system of records and bookkeeping
that brought him favorable comment from state organizations involved in financial matters.
Governor Oscar K. Allen
of Winnfield
appointed Tugwell as chairman of the highway commission, now called the Department of Transportation and Development. As highway chairman, Tugwell worked to achieve Allen's goals of building more roads and installing adequate bridges over the state's waterways. Tugwell remained highway director until late in 1935, when he resigned to seek the treasurer's position. He remained close to the Allen family and was asked to serve as a pallbearer
at the governor's funeral in Winnfield in 1936.
In the 1948 campaign, Tugwell ran on several intraparty tickets, including that of Sam Houston Jones, who was defeated in his comeback gubernatorial bid by another former governor, Earl K. Long.
In his last campaign, the Democratic primary in December 1963, he overwhelmed his opponent, Nat Gros of Metairie
in Jefferson Parish
.
, who served until her retirement in 1987. Mrs. Parker defeated the Republican
Allison Ray Kolb
to win the first of her five terms in the position.
Tugwell died in Baton Rouge General Hospital. Mrs. Rebecca Tugwell had preceded him in death. He was survived by a son, Andrew P. Tugwell, Jr., (1927–2001) and a niece. Services were held in the Welsh Funeral Home Chapel in Baton Rouge, with the Reverend Ernest Thompson officiating. The Tugwells are interred at Greenoaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
state treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
from 1936-1968. His 32-year tenure in the position is a state record. Tugwell was considered an authority on state spending and receipts. Before he was elected treasurer, Tugwell was the director of the state highway department.
Early years and education
Tugwell was born in Plain DealingPlain Dealing, Louisiana
Plain Dealing is a town in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, United States best known as the birthplace of former U.S. Representative Joe D. Waggonner, Jr. The population was 1,071 at the 2000 census...
in northern Bossier Parish. When Tugwell was a year old, his family moved to Winn Parish, birthplace of another Louisiana politician, Huey Pierce Long, Jr.
Huey Long
Huey Pierce Long, Jr. , nicknamed The Kingfish, served as the 40th Governor of Louisiana from 1928–1932 and as a U.S. Senator from 1932 to 1935. A Democrat, he was noted for his radical populist policies. Though a backer of Franklin D...
, who would help to shape Tugwell's own career.
After high school, Tugwell attended Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University, known as NSU, is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as...
in Natchitoches
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...
(then Louisiana Normal College). After he completed his college work, he taught school for a time in south Louisiana.
Railroad auditor and highway director
Tugwell then became associated with the Tremont & Gulf Railway Company. In time he became the treasurer and auditor of the firm. Huey Long recognized Tugwell's executive ability and created for Tugwell the office of auditor for the Louisiana Railroad Commission. The Railroad Commission, of which Long was a member prior to his election as governor in 1928, was renamed the Louisiana Public Service CommissionLouisiana Public Service Commission
Louisiana Public Service Commission is an independent regulatory agency which manages public utilities and motor carriers in Louisiana. The commission has five elected members chosen in single-member districts for staggered six-year terms...
. As auditor of the railroad commission, Tugwell installed a system of records and bookkeeping
Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is the recording of financial transactions. Transactions include sales, purchases, income, receipts and payments by an individual or organization. Bookkeeping is usually performed by a bookkeeper. Bookkeeping should not be confused with accounting. The accounting process is usually...
that brought him favorable comment from state organizations involved in financial matters.
Governor Oscar K. Allen
Oscar K. Allen
Oscar Kelly Allen, Sr. , also known as O. K. Allen, was the 42nd Governor of Louisiana from 1932 to 1936. He was a key lieutenant in the political machine of Huey Pierce Long, Jr., that dominated the state during the first half of the 1930s...
of Winnfield
Winnfield, Louisiana
Winnfield is a city in and the parish seat of Winn Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,749 at the 2000 census. It has long been associated with the Long faction of the Louisiana Democratic Party and was home to three governors of Louisiana.-Geography:Winnfield is located at ...
appointed Tugwell as chairman of the highway commission, now called the Department of Transportation and Development. As highway chairman, Tugwell worked to achieve Allen's goals of building more roads and installing adequate bridges over the state's waterways. Tugwell remained highway director until late in 1935, when he resigned to seek the treasurer's position. He remained close to the Allen family and was asked to serve as a pallbearer
Pallbearer
A pall-bearer is one of several funeral participants who helps carry the casket of a deceased person from a religious or memorial service or viewing either directly to a cemetery or mausoleum, or to and from the hearse which carries the coffin....
at the governor's funeral in Winnfield in 1936.
Tugwell as treasurer
In the depth of the Great Depression, Treasurer Tugwell announced in January 1938 that the bonded indebtedness of New Orleans had declined to nearly $10 million below the depression high of $56.8 million. He also announced that the state had its greatest cash balance in history until that time, nearly $13 million. Three months later, Tugwell reported that the Louisiana state cash balance had risen to $18 million. Such favorable reports worked to boost his prospects for reelection in 1940. He served eight terms in the office and was not seriously challenged after his initial election.In the 1948 campaign, Tugwell ran on several intraparty tickets, including that of Sam Houston Jones, who was defeated in his comeback gubernatorial bid by another former governor, Earl K. Long.
In his last campaign, the Democratic primary in December 1963, he overwhelmed his opponent, Nat Gros of Metairie
Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States and is a major part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish. It is an unincorporated area that would be larger than most of the state's cities if it were...
in Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Jefferson Parish is a parish in Louisiana, United States that includes most of the suburbs of New Orleans. The seat of parish government is Gretna....
.
Retirement and last rites
Tugwell was succeeded as treasurer in 1968 by his fellow Democrat, Mary Evelyn Dickerson ParkerMary Evelyn Parker
Mary Evelyn Dickerson Parker is a former Democratic state treasurer of Louisiana, having served from 1968-1987. She was the first woman to have held the position. Prior to her tenure as treasurer, she held several appointed positions in state government...
, who served until her retirement in 1987. Mrs. Parker defeated the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Allison Ray Kolb
Allison Kolb
Allison Ray Kolb was the Democratic auditor of Louisiana from 1952 to 1956, who angered many local officials in the pursuit of his job duties and was hence defeated by former Lieutenant Governor William J. "Bill" Dodd in the 1956 party primary...
to win the first of her five terms in the position.
Tugwell died in Baton Rouge General Hospital. Mrs. Rebecca Tugwell had preceded him in death. He was survived by a son, Andrew P. Tugwell, Jr., (1927–2001) and a niece. Services were held in the Welsh Funeral Home Chapel in Baton Rouge, with the Reverend Ernest Thompson officiating. The Tugwells are interred at Greenoaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge.