Samuel Douglas McEnery 1881-1888

Born: May 28, 1837 in Monroe, Louisiana
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Education: Spring Hill College (Mobile, Alabama), U.S. Naval Academy and University of Virginia National Law School (Poughkeepsie, New York)
Career Prior to Term: Lt. Governor
How He Became Governor: Succeeded as Governor after death of Wiltz in 1881; elected in 1884
Career after Term: Associated Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
Died: June 28, 1910 in New Orleans, Louisiana

Samuel McEnery succeeded Governor Louis Wiltz when Wiltz died in office. McEnery had joined Wiltz on the Democratic pro-lottery ticket in the election of 1879, an off-year year election called for by the Constitution of 1879.

McEnery's administration, hampered by the power of State Treasurer Edward A. Burke, possessed little strength. Burke, Louisiana Lottery Company officials and Samuel James, the lessee of convict labor at the state penitentiary, ran Louisiana during McEnery's term. The lottery controlled the legislature and James controlled levee construction contracts while Burke controlled state funds. McEnery did work to improve flood protection by building more levees. He organized the Cotton Centennial Exposition, a world's fair to attract business and industry to Louisiana.

In a political arrangement with Governor Nicholls after the election of 1888, McEnery agreed not to contest the election results in exchange for a seat on the Supreme Court. McEnery later served in the U. S. Senate.

He died in New Orleans in 1910.

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