Oramel H. Simpson

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Oramel H. Simpson (March 20, 1870 -- November 17, 1932) became governor of the state of Louisiana in 1926, upon the death of his predecessor, Henry L. Fuqua.

Simpson was born in Washington, Louisiana. He was educated at Centenary College at Jackson and Tulane University Law School. He achieved the rank of lieutenant governor before Fuqua's death and succeeded to the governorship on October 11, 1926.

During his term as governor, Simpson, a Democrat, opposed a toll bridge across the eastern portion of Lake Pontchartrain which was being built to connect New Orleans and Slidell. Simpson proposed a free bridge to be built from Chef Menteur, but influential figures in New Orleans were able to get the toll bridge built despite Simpson's objections. However, Simpson was able to start a free ferry service to reduce the toll bridge's revenue.

The Ku Klux Klan proved to be a problem during Simpson's term of office as well. Legislation was passed to outlaw hoods, masks and robes excepting those worn during Mardi Gras and at masked balls or parties.

A great flood in 1927 forced Simpson to order a "downriver cut" of the levee in order to protect New Orleans. Afterwards, the affected states of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi worked together to secure federal aid for flood prevention. Also, property owners from the downriver parishes were compensated by the state for losses resulting from the levee cut.

Simpson became secretary of the state Senate after leaving office. He died of a heart seizure in New Orleans some two weeks after the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt as president.