by Ray Hill | Jul 31, 2016 | Columnist, Hill, Stories In This Week's Focus:
By Ray Hill More than a few historians rate Harold LeClair Ickes as the greatest Secretary of the Interior to serve in the Cabinet of any president. Certainly, he served the longest, more than thirteen years. Harold L. Ickes earned a reputation, one he carefully...
by Ray Hill | Jul 24, 2016 | Columnist, Hill, Stories In This Week's Focus:
By Ray Hill Hill McAlister had finally achieved his dream of serving as governor of Tennessee after two hard fought failed campaigns. The descendant of two governors, McAlister had run a strong race against incumbent Austin Peay when the latter was seeking a third...
by Ray Hill | Jul 17, 2016 | Columnist, Hill, Stories In This Week's Focus:
By Ray Hill If there is anything sadder than a defeated and forgotten politician, it may well be a forgotten politician’s widow. Once powerful politicians who wielded enormous influence, attended by staff and an abundance of friends, oftentimes find themselves bereft...
by Ray Hill | Jul 10, 2016 | Columnist, Hill, Stories In This Week's Focus:
By Ray Hill “Someday Louisiana is going to get good government. And they ain’t gonna like it.” – Earl K. Long Huey Long has gone down in American political lore for a host of reasons. Huey Long is still well remembered today and he founded a political dynasty...
by Ray Hill | Jul 4, 2016 | Columnist, Hill, Stories In This Week's Focus:
By Ray Hill Theodore Gilmore Bilbo had twice been governor of Mississippi and was engaged in a serious controversy when he proposed to fire one hundred and seventy nine professors and faculty members from the state university system. Bilbo’s plan to move the...
by Ray Hill | Jun 26, 2016 | Columnist, Hill, Stories In This Week's Focus:
By Ray Hill The art of politics has changed dramatically over the years. The age of truly gifted speakers who could move the emotions of audiences, bringing them alternately to laughter or tears is long gone. Courthouse rallies and barbecues are already becoming...