Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
-Galatians 6:7
March 2, 1933
"Fiorello, at last!" exclaimed Floyd Olson as his Vice President Elect entered the room. "I called you here to inform you that I've chosen Huey Long to be my nominee for Attorney General." The Louisiana Senator was sitting in Olson's temporary office. He wore a plaid suit and a garish pink tie, his trademark obnoxious style. La Guardia knew that Long did so in part to anger the older, conservative Senators unused to someone blatantly disrespecting their office. "Have you met?" Olson asked the two.
"A couple times in passing," replied La Guardia. Long stood up and the two men shook hands.
"Well, as I live and breath, an Italian yankee!" exclaimed the so-called "Kingfish". "My ol' ma would never believe it if she saw me workin' with th' likes of you."
In stride, La Guardia responded, "Well, some of my fellow... yankees might be shocked, but I'll say that while I've heard plenty of rumors about the simplicity of 'yall's' bloodlines and lack of manners, I've never heard a man claim that a redneck is no good in a fight."
"Damn straight!" replied Long, as Olson stepped forward.
"And a fight is what we'll have," the President-elect declared. "We have a mandate and majority, but the capitalist powers will not accept it. They must be crushed. That is why I've chosen both of you; together, we can bring big business to its knees."
The three talked for a couple hours. La Guardia wondered at first whether Long was genuine, or an opportunist. As he listened to the man, he began to feel a kindred soul. He doubted that if their lives had been switched, if he had been born in the rural South and Long born in a big northern city, if they would not be nearly identical. He sensed the same rage he felt in the poor areas of the city in this country-born man.
The next night, Fiorello and his wife Marie ate dinner with Huey and Rose Long. Rose seemed quiet, though maybe that was just in comparison to her bombastic husband. There was a manic energy about the Kingfish, a sort of enthusiasm and drive, that made him both fascinating and fearful. As he they were driven back home, Marie asked her husband "Do you think he will be a good Attorney General?"
"I think so," said Fiorello. "He seems like a man with good goals. It will be interesting working with him."
January 7, 1937
"I would give anything not to be standing here today. I wish that I were busy preparing for my second term as Vice President. But to my sorrow, it is not so. A year ago today, this country lost a great man. Floyd Bjørnstjerne Olson was taken from this country too soon. The youngest man to take the office of President became the youngest to leave it. This tragedy is felt by every good American.
I believe that Olson will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents of the United States. His monuments will stand next to those of Washington and Lincoln. He lead America from the Great Depression to the Great Recovery. To millions of Americans, he was more than just a good leader. He represented to these people that the government can be good, that the state can work for the populace and improve their lives. People who never got anything from the government before Olson now trust the institutions they once cursed.
For all of his achievements, Olson did not die content. He dreamed of so much which has not yet come to pass. I fought to make sure that the dream of healthcare for all Americans was achieved. And I swear, by the time my term is completed, I will make sure that Olson's ideal, a Fair Society, has been realized. We will not bow down! We will not give up!
I could speak for hours about Olson the President. But Floyd wasn't just a leader. He was my friend. Forgive me, but my heart is heavy remembering his loss. Thank you all for joining me in honoring the memory of this great man."
President LaGuardia left the podium. No one clapped for his speech. Applause was too joyful on this somber occasion. A year before, President Floyd Olson died in office. The young Minnesotan governor burst onto the political seen, reshaped America, and was gone as fast as he had appeared. Across America, candles would be lit in his memory.
La Guardia stared at the politicians and statesmen across the room. His eyes briefly locked with the Senator from Louisiana. Huey Long's face held nothing but antipathy for the President. The hatred was mutual. One day, LaGuardia would have to confront that man again. But it wouldn't be tonight. The President was tired, and thinking of Olson. He wouldn't deal with any of his sycophants or enemies right now. He had four years to deal with them. The inevitable could be delayed a day.
A day of rest, and then the battle begun by Floyd Olson would resume.
-Galatians 6:7
Fiorello La Guardia at the 1932 Progressive Convention said:
Presenting the sequel to The Ruins of An American Party System, Part One: Implosion, winner of the 2015 Turtledove for Best New Early 20th Century Timeline:
The Ruins of An American Party System, Part Two:
Collision
~~~
The Ruins of An American Party System, Part Two:
Collision
~~~
March 2, 1933
"Fiorello, at last!" exclaimed Floyd Olson as his Vice President Elect entered the room. "I called you here to inform you that I've chosen Huey Long to be my nominee for Attorney General." The Louisiana Senator was sitting in Olson's temporary office. He wore a plaid suit and a garish pink tie, his trademark obnoxious style. La Guardia knew that Long did so in part to anger the older, conservative Senators unused to someone blatantly disrespecting their office. "Have you met?" Olson asked the two.
"A couple times in passing," replied La Guardia. Long stood up and the two men shook hands.
"Well, as I live and breath, an Italian yankee!" exclaimed the so-called "Kingfish". "My ol' ma would never believe it if she saw me workin' with th' likes of you."
In stride, La Guardia responded, "Well, some of my fellow... yankees might be shocked, but I'll say that while I've heard plenty of rumors about the simplicity of 'yall's' bloodlines and lack of manners, I've never heard a man claim that a redneck is no good in a fight."
"Damn straight!" replied Long, as Olson stepped forward.
"And a fight is what we'll have," the President-elect declared. "We have a mandate and majority, but the capitalist powers will not accept it. They must be crushed. That is why I've chosen both of you; together, we can bring big business to its knees."
The three talked for a couple hours. La Guardia wondered at first whether Long was genuine, or an opportunist. As he listened to the man, he began to feel a kindred soul. He doubted that if their lives had been switched, if he had been born in the rural South and Long born in a big northern city, if they would not be nearly identical. He sensed the same rage he felt in the poor areas of the city in this country-born man.
The next night, Fiorello and his wife Marie ate dinner with Huey and Rose Long. Rose seemed quiet, though maybe that was just in comparison to her bombastic husband. There was a manic energy about the Kingfish, a sort of enthusiasm and drive, that made him both fascinating and fearful. As he they were driven back home, Marie asked her husband "Do you think he will be a good Attorney General?"
"I think so," said Fiorello. "He seems like a man with good goals. It will be interesting working with him."
~~~
January 7, 1937
"I would give anything not to be standing here today. I wish that I were busy preparing for my second term as Vice President. But to my sorrow, it is not so. A year ago today, this country lost a great man. Floyd Bjørnstjerne Olson was taken from this country too soon. The youngest man to take the office of President became the youngest to leave it. This tragedy is felt by every good American.
I believe that Olson will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents of the United States. His monuments will stand next to those of Washington and Lincoln. He lead America from the Great Depression to the Great Recovery. To millions of Americans, he was more than just a good leader. He represented to these people that the government can be good, that the state can work for the populace and improve their lives. People who never got anything from the government before Olson now trust the institutions they once cursed.
For all of his achievements, Olson did not die content. He dreamed of so much which has not yet come to pass. I fought to make sure that the dream of healthcare for all Americans was achieved. And I swear, by the time my term is completed, I will make sure that Olson's ideal, a Fair Society, has been realized. We will not bow down! We will not give up!
I could speak for hours about Olson the President. But Floyd wasn't just a leader. He was my friend. Forgive me, but my heart is heavy remembering his loss. Thank you all for joining me in honoring the memory of this great man."
President LaGuardia left the podium. No one clapped for his speech. Applause was too joyful on this somber occasion. A year before, President Floyd Olson died in office. The young Minnesotan governor burst onto the political seen, reshaped America, and was gone as fast as he had appeared. Across America, candles would be lit in his memory.
La Guardia stared at the politicians and statesmen across the room. His eyes briefly locked with the Senator from Louisiana. Huey Long's face held nothing but antipathy for the President. The hatred was mutual. One day, LaGuardia would have to confront that man again. But it wouldn't be tonight. The President was tired, and thinking of Olson. He wouldn't deal with any of his sycophants or enemies right now. He had four years to deal with them. The inevitable could be delayed a day.
A day of rest, and then the battle begun by Floyd Olson would resume.
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