A. P. Tugwell

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 Louisiana Department of Highways, since renamed the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

Early years and education

Tugwell was born in Plain Dealing in northern Bossier Parish. When he 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.

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 Commission. 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.

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 1948, 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 Kemp Long.^[1]

In 1959, Tugwell ran for reelection on all the intrapary tickets: DeLesseps Story Morrison, Jimmie Davis, William M. Rainach, James A. Noe, and Bill Dodd.^[2][3]

In his last campaign, the Democratic primary in December 1963, he overwhelmed his opponent, Nat Gros of Metairie in Jefferson Parish.^[4]

Retirement and last rites

Tugwell was succeeded as treasurer in 1968 by his fellow Democrat, Mary Evelyn Dickerson Parker, who served until her retirement in 1987. Mrs. Parker defeated the Democrat-turned-Republican Allison 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.

References

http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/la/winn/bios/tugwelap.txt

http://ca.encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefAuxArt.aspx?refid=461500500 (Archived 2009-10-31)

"Obituary of A.P. Tugwell," Baton Rouge Morning Advocate, February 13, 1976

http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/la/winn/obits/obit3/alngov36.txt