In 1929, Long called a special session of both houses of the legislature to enact a new five-cent per barrel "occupational license tax" on production of refined oil, to help fund his social programs.
The bill was met with fierce opposition from the state's oil interests.
Opponents in the legislature, led by freshman lawmakers Cecil Morgan of Shreveport and Ralph Norman Bauer of Franklin in St. Mary Parish, introduced an impeachment resolution against Long.
Nineteen charges were listed.
They ranged from blasphemy to abuses of power, bribery, and the misuse of state funds.
However, the most serious was subornation of murder.
One of Long's subordinates claimed in an affidavit that an intoxicated Long had told him to kill Representative J. Y. Sanders Jr., also the son of a former governor, and "leave him in the ditch where nobody will know how or when he got there."
Long allegedly promised him "a full pardon and many gold dollars."

Concerned by the progression of the impeachment trial, Long attempted to shut down the session.
Pro-Long Speaker John B. Fournet called for a vote to adjourn.
Despite a majority of representatives opposing adjournment, the voting board showed 67 ayes and 13 nays.
This sparked confusion until it was realized that one pro-Long congressman had rigged the electric voting-machine to turn a "yes" into a "no" and vice versa.
This sparked a brawl across the floor of the state legislature, later known as "Bloody Monday".
In the scuffle, inkwells were thrown, several legislators attacked others with brass knuckles, and Long's brother Earl bit a legislator on the neck.
Following the fight, the legislature voted to remain in session and proceed with the impeachment.
A trial in the house took place with dozens of witnesses, including a hula dancer who claimed that Long had been "frisky" with her.
Impeached on 8 of the 19 charges, Long was the first Louisiana governor to be charged in the state's history under four different nations.

In response to his impeachment, Long took his case to the people using his characteristic speaking tours.
He argued that it was a conspiracy by Standard Oil, corporate interests, and conservative political opponents.
He claimed that Standard Oil had used up to $25,000 to bribe the legislature, which he called "enough money to burn a wet mule".
The House referred the charges to the Louisiana Senate.
Conviction required a two-thirds majority in the Senate, but Long produced a round robin statement signed by fifteen senators pledging to vote "not guilty" regardless of the evidence.
These senators claimed that the trial was illegal, and even if proved, the charges did not warrant impeachment.
The impeachment process, now futile, was suspended.
It has been alleged that both sides used bribes to buy votes, and that Long later rewarded the Round Robin signers with state jobs or other favors.

Following the failed impeachment attempt in the Senate, Long became ruthless when dealing with his enemies.
He fired their relatives from state jobs and supported candidates to defeat them in elections.
After impeachment, Long concluded that extra-legal means would be needed to accomplish his goals: "I used to try to get things done by saying 'please'," said Long. "
Now ... I dynamite 'em out of my path."
He had his bodyguards "let go" on reporters, assaulting photographers, smashing cameras, and evicting them from government buildings.
He became a persistent critic of the press, denouncing the "lying newspapers".
In March 1930, Long established his own newspaper: the Louisiana Progress.
The paper was extremely popular, widely distributed by policeman, highway workers, and government truckers.
To receive lucrative state contracts, companies were first expected to buy advertisements in the Progress.
Long attempted to pass laws placing a surtax on newspapers and forbidding the publishing of "slanderous material," but these efforts were defeated.
After the impeachment attempt, Long received death threats.
Fearing for his personal safety, he surrounded himself with armed bodyguards at all times.
In 1929, Long called a special session of both houses of the legislature to enact a new five-cent per barrel "occupational license tax" on production of refined oil, to help fund his social programs. The bill was met with fierce opposition from the state's oil interests. Opponents in the legislature, led by freshman lawmakers Cecil Morgan of Shreveport and Ralph Norman Bauer of Franklin in St. Mary Parish, introduced an impeachment resolution against Long. Nineteen charges were listed. They ranged from blasphemy to abuses of power, bribery, and the misuse of state funds. However, the most serious was subornation of murder. One of Long's subordinates claimed in an affidavit that an intoxicated Long had told him to kill Representative J. Y. Sanders Jr., also the son of a former governor, and "leave him in the ditch where nobody will know how or when he got there." Long allegedly promised him "a full pardon and many gold dollars."
Concerned by the progression of the impeachment trial, Long attempted to shut down the session. Pro-Long Speaker John B. Fournet called for a vote to adjourn. Despite a majority of representatives opposing adjournment, the voting board showed 67 ayes and 13 nays. This sparked confusion until it was realized that one pro-Long congressman had rigged the electric voting-machine to turn a "yes" into a "no" and vice versa. This sparked a brawl across the floor of the state legislature, later known as "Bloody Monday". In the scuffle, inkwells were thrown, several legislators attacked others with brass knuckles, and Long's brother Earl bit a legislator on the neck. Following the fight, the legislature voted to remain in session and proceed with the impeachment. A trial in the house took place with dozens of witnesses, including a hula dancer who claimed that Long had been "frisky" with her. Impeached on 8 of the 19 charges, Long was the first Louisiana governor to be charged in the state's history under four different nations.
In response to his impeachment, Long took his case to the people using his characteristic speaking tours. He argued that it was a conspiracy by Standard Oil, corporate interests, and conservative political opponents. He claimed that Standard Oil had used up to $25,000 to bribe the legislature, which he called "enough money to burn a wet mule". The House referred the charges to the Louisiana Senate. Conviction required a two-thirds majority in the Senate, but Long produced a round robin statement signed by fifteen senators pledging to vote "not guilty" regardless of the evidence. These senators claimed that the trial was illegal, and even if proved, the charges did not warrant impeachment. The impeachment process, now futile, was suspended. It has been alleged that both sides used bribes to buy votes, and that Long later rewarded the Round Robin signers with state jobs or other favors.
Following the failed impeachment attempt in the Senate, Long became ruthless when dealing with his enemies. He fired their relatives from state jobs and supported candidates to defeat them in elections. After impeachment, Long concluded that extra-legal means would be needed to accomplish his goals: "I used to try to get things done by saying 'please'," said Long. "Now ... I dynamite 'em out of my path." He had his bodyguards "let go" on reporters, assaulting photographers, smashing cameras, and evicting them from government buildings. He became a persistent critic of the press, denouncing the "lying newspapers". In March 1930, Long established his own newspaper: the Louisiana Progress. The paper was extremely popular, widely distributed by policeman, highway workers, and government truckers. To receive lucrative state contracts, companies were first expected to buy advertisements in the Progress. Long attempted to pass laws placing a surtax on newspapers and forbidding the publishing of "slanderous material," but these efforts were defeated. After the impeachment attempt, Long received death threats. Fearing for his personal safety, he surrounded himself with armed bodyguards at all times.
Huey Long