Louisiana: Pressure from Washington

If New Orleans had been left alone, token racial integration ordered for two of the city's elementary schools would have proceeded last year with a minimum of disorder. But in Baton Rouge, cowboy-songster Governor Jimmie H. Davis cranked the Louisiana legislature into paroxysms of racist sentiment, and it spewed out masses of bills aimed at grabbing control of the city's whole school system and cutting off pay to teachers at the integrated schools. The Federal District Court fought back with armloads of restraining orders, finally enjoined some 700 state officials, including the Governor and the entire legislature. But nothing...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!