Percy Saint
Encyclopedia
Percy D. Saint was an lawyer
and politician
who served as the Louisiana
attorney general from 1924 until 1932. He was an intraparty Democratic
critic of Governor and U.S. Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr.
, the seat of St. Mary Parish
in south Louisiana to John Davidson Saint and the former Ellen Jane DuBose, both natives of Alabama
. He was educated in local private schools and attended the University of Alabama
at Tuscaloosa
from 1888 to 1890. He subsequently graduated in 1893 from the Roman Catholic-affiliated Tulane University Law School
in New Orleans
.
From a first marriage to the former Mary Isabel Thorp on April 12, 1898, there were no children. On December 7, 1903, he married the former Cora Lee McCardell, daughter of the former Lavinia Pelichet and Thomas McCardell. The couple had a son, Percy DuBose Saint, and a daughter, Mary Isabel. In 1893, Saint was admitted to the bar and served two years as a messenger in the United States Congress
. He began his law practice in his native Franklin, where he edited the Franklin Vindicator News from 1898 until 1900.
in 1916 but served only one year before resigning in 1917. Saint was the district attorney
of the 23rd Judicial District from 1907 until 1920. It is unclear if he resigned as district attorney to become state representative from 1916 to 1917 and then returned to the district attorney position or if he was simultaneously district attorney and state representative, a parttime position. Saint was district judge from 1920 to 1924. In 1922, Saint was assigned to the civil district court in New Orleans.
In 1928, Saint was one of the few state officials elected independently of the Long ticket when the Louisiana Kingfish
procured his only term as governor before heading to the U.S. Senate. As attorney general, Saint faced the legal challenges of the Mississippi Flood of 1927.
In other matters relating to his nemesis Long, Attorney General Saint declared that Long should not have dispatched troops to raid gambling houses in Jefferson Parish
without first having declared martial law
. He also ruled that impeachment
proceedings instituted in 1929 by some legislators, including Cecil Morgan
of Shreveport
, against Long were constitutional. Saint retired from politics in 1932, when Oscar K. Allen
of Winnfield
was elected to succeed Long as governor.
and the Masonic lodge
. One of his political speeches was carried in the January 1925 edition of Louisiana Historical Quarterly, now Louisiana History, a publication of the Louisiana Historical Association
. Saint died in New Orleans and is interred in Franklin.
The Saint House at 303 Main Street in Franklin was built in 1908. On the historic house tour of Franklin, the Saint House is styled in the manner of the Woodcraft movement with columns shingled with overlapping weatherboard. The front gable pediment has a wattle and daub treatment.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who served as the 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...
attorney general from 1924 until 1932. He was an intraparty Democratic
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...
critic of Governor and U.S. Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr.
Background
Saint was born in FranklinFranklin, Louisiana
Franklin is a city in and the parish seat of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,354 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, the seat of St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Parish, Louisiana
St. Mary Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Franklin. As of 2000, the population was 53,500.The Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of St. Mary Parish.-Geography:...
in south Louisiana to John Davidson Saint and the former Ellen Jane DuBose, both natives of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. He was educated in local private schools and attended the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
at Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama . Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with a population of 90,468 in 2010...
from 1888 to 1890. He subsequently graduated in 1893 from the Roman Catholic-affiliated Tulane University Law School
Tulane University Law School
Tulane University Law School is the law school of Tulane University. It is located on Tulane's Uptown campus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Established in 1847, it is the 12th oldest law school in the United States....
in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
.
From a first marriage to the former Mary Isabel Thorp on April 12, 1898, there were no children. On December 7, 1903, he married the former Cora Lee McCardell, daughter of the former Lavinia Pelichet and Thomas McCardell. The couple had a son, Percy DuBose Saint, and a daughter, Mary Isabel. In 1893, Saint was admitted to the bar and served two years as a messenger in the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. He began his law practice in his native Franklin, where he edited the Franklin Vindicator News from 1898 until 1900.
Career
Saint was elected to the Louisiana House of RepresentativesLouisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
in 1916 but served only one year before resigning in 1917. Saint was the district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
of the 23rd Judicial District from 1907 until 1920. It is unclear if he resigned as district attorney to become state representative from 1916 to 1917 and then returned to the district attorney position or if he was simultaneously district attorney and state representative, a parttime position. Saint was district judge from 1920 to 1924. In 1922, Saint was assigned to the civil district court in New Orleans.
In 1928, Saint was one of the few state officials elected independently of the Long ticket when the Louisiana Kingfish
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...
procured his only term as governor before heading to the U.S. Senate. As attorney general, Saint faced the legal challenges of the Mississippi Flood of 1927.
In other matters relating to his nemesis Long, Attorney General Saint declared that Long should not have dispatched troops to raid gambling houses 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....
without first having declared martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
. He also ruled that impeachment
Impeachment
Impeachment is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as other punishment....
proceedings instituted in 1929 by some legislators, including Cecil Morgan
Cecil Morgan
Cecil Morgan, Sr. was a leader of the legislative forces that in 1929 attempted to impeach Louisiana Governor Huey Pierce Long, Jr...
of Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, against Long were constitutional. Saint retired from politics in 1932, when 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 ...
was elected to succeed Long as governor.
Personal life
Saint was a member of the National Attorneys General Association; chairman, national crime commission, and member of the New Orleans and state bar associations. He was affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of ElksBenevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
and the Masonic lodge
Masonic Lodge
This article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...
. One of his political speeches was carried in the January 1925 edition of Louisiana Historical Quarterly, now Louisiana History, a publication of the Louisiana Historical Association
Louisiana Historical Association
The Louisiana Historical Association is an organization of professional historians and interested laypersons dedicated to the preservation, publication, and dissemination of the history of the U.S. state of Louisiana, with particular emphasis at the inception on territorial, statehood, and the...
. Saint died in New Orleans and is interred in Franklin.
The Saint House at 303 Main Street in Franklin was built in 1908. On the historic house tour of Franklin, the Saint House is styled in the manner of the Woodcraft movement with columns shingled with overlapping weatherboard. The front gable pediment has a wattle and daub treatment.