As governor of Louisiana, Huey P. Long liked to boast that he could buy & sell legislators "like sacks of potatoes." As far as the New Orleans Item (circ. 96,000) is concerned, things are not much different under Governor Earl Long, Huey's brother. Last week, when a legislative committee voted one way on a tax bill, then flip-flopped when the order came down from Governor Long, the Item sourly commented: "The large majority of our distinguished Senators and Representatives have about as much independence as trained seals. When their trainer barks, they jump."
This time the legislators also jumped on the Item....