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Seventy-five sugar mills operating in Louisiana in 1800 produced five million pounds of sugar that sold for eight cents a pound, netting about $400,000 to the planters. That was a lot of money in those days, and the sugar industry was just getting started. The crop became so important that the government decided to protect it with a tariff that has remained in effect in one form or another ever since, although not without some challenges.
It became a big issue during the 1914 congressional election because President Woodrow Wilson wanted to change it. Former President Theodore Roosevelt wanted it left alone and came to Louisiana to defend it.
Roosevelt was out of office at the time, but not without influence. He became the youngest U.S. president in history when he assumed office in 1901 at the age of 42 after the assassination of William McKinley. (John Kennedy, who took office at 43, was the youngest to be elected directly to the office.) Roosevelt was reelected in 1904 and picked William Howard Taft as his successor in 1908. Taft won that election and appeared to have easy sailing for a second term in 1912 — until Roosevelt caused a national uproar by challenging him for the Republican nomination. Trying for a third term went against the then-unwritten rule that Presidents could serve only two terms. (It did not become law until the 22nd Amendment was ratified in 1951.)
When he didn’t get the Republican nomination, Roosevelt formed the Progressive Party, which became popularly known as the Bull Moose Party after Roosevelt was shot on October 14, 1912, while he was campaigning in Milwaukee. Not only did he survive but he went on to deliver a speech with the bullet still lodged in his chest. After showing his bloodied shirt to his followers, he said it took “more than that to kill a bull moose.” Thus, a nickname was born for him and his party.
The Bull Moose finished second in the 1912 election, taking important votes from Taft, who got only 23 percent of the vote. Wilson won with 42 percent.
Roosevelt was not on the ballot in 1914, when only congressional seats were decided, but he campaigned across the U.S. to promote his party’s candidates. He came to Louisiana to woo sugar planters who were upset that Wilson would even think about removing a tariff that they needed to complete with sugar from Cuba and Hawaii.
Roosevelt arrived in New Orleans on September 7 and boarded a train for Franklin that evening. Cathi B. Gibbens wrote about that trip in the quarterly Attakapas Gazette: “September 8 dawned hot and dry. Roosevelt had traveled overnight from New Orleans. Arriving in Franklin at 7:45 a.m., he went immediately to the courthouse and . . . addressed a crowd estimated at 3,000. Promptly at 8:30 the Roosevelt entourage entered automobiles for the trip to Jeanerette and New Iberia. The dignitaries were escorted out of Franklin by 75 automobiles and a delegation of 800 people.”
According to newspaper accounts, Roosevelt was met outside New Iberia by several hundred people on horseback who invited him to ride into town with them. Roosevelt, who had gained fame as colonel of the so-called Rough Riders — the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry — during the Spanish American War, promptly accepted.
According to the New Iberia Enterprise, he rode into town on an “iron gray pacer” and was greeted by a brass band and several young ladies on saddle horses. The town was decked with flags and banners, and a speaker’s stand was put up in front of the courthouse. “Main Street was a mass of humanity. In fact, it was one of the largest crowds that has visited this city for a number of years,” the Enterprise said. The New Orleans Picayune correspondent estimated the crowd at between nine thousand and ten thousand people.
Roosevelt’s visit paid off in the November election. Progressive Whitmell Martin, a lawyer from Napoleonville, beat Democrat Henry L. Gueydan in the Third Congressional District. He was one of only three Progressives elected to Congress that year.
That wasn’t enough to completely block the tariff reforms, but protectionists in the Senate added more than 600 amendments to Wilson’s version of a “big, beautiful bill” that reduced or removed most of them. The sugar tariff remained mostly untouched.
Ironically, Roosevelt may have had more impact on Louisiana sugar as a cavalry leader than as a politician. At the end of the Spanish American War, which he helped win, the United States ended up with Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and some other places where a lot of sugar was grown. Reducing the sugar tariff for these places had a direct, detrimental impact on Louisiana growers.
You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

May 9, 1940 — August 16, 2025

ABBEVILLE — Funeral Services for Mrs. Mary Helen LeBlanc, 85, will be held at Frioux-David Funeral Home on Wednesday August 20, 2025 at 10 a.m. with Rev. François Sainte-Marie officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Tuesday August 19, 2025 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a recitation of the rosary at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Wednesday August 20, 2025 from 8 a.m. until time of services.
Mrs. Mary Helen passed away on the evening of Saturday, August 16, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones.
Born on May 9th, 1940, in Kaplan, Louisiana, Mary Helen lived a life centered on family and teaching. As a young girl, playing and singing music was her first love, first in the church choir and then later for weddings. She met her husband of 62 years Terry LeBlanc while attending LSU. After transferring to USL (now ULL), she completed her undergraduate degree and then finished an MS degree from LSU.
Helen, as family and close friends called her, taught advanced math and science classes at Erath High School for 32 years followed by an additional 7 years teaching for Vermilion Catholic High School. Mary Helen also taught summer school at Abbeville High for many years. She genuinely loved her students and they loved her as well. No student requesting extra help ever left her classroom without individual assistance.
Even now, more than 20 years after her retirement, her former students continue to talk about her enthusiasm and passion in the classroom which ensured their success in college classes. Mary Helen rarely traveled in Abbeville or Lafayette without meeting a former student or colleague ready to greet her warmly. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Active for many years in the Vermilion Parish retired teacher’s organization, Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG), Mary Helen earned awards for her valuable contribution to education and teaching excellence. 
Family and friends recall Mary Helen’s competitive scrabble games and her expertise in the kitchen. Eagerly she prepared etouffee, spaghetti and meatballs, rice and gravy, gumbo, and more delicious Cajun dishes. Her home was the hub of many family holiday gatherings and feasts.
Mary Helen was the most loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved attending school performances, bringing her grandchildren ice skating, and taking her family out for pizza and beignets.
Family members want to extend a special thanks to Louise Broussard for her companionship and loving friendship during the final years of Mary Helen’s life. Also, the compassionate care givers at The Vermilion at Eastridge are commended for their outstanding work.
She is survived by her husband, Terry LeBlanc; her daughters, April LeBlanc and Heidi Van Brocklin and her husband William; her grandchildren, Bryanna LeBlanc, Emily Lormand, Wren Van Brocklin, and Lucy Van Brocklin; her sisters, Marie Inez Broussard and Nettie Guillory; and her daughter-in-law, Dawn Jaime.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Gladu Boudoin and Felicia Simon Boudoin; her children, Scott LeBlanc and Robin LeBlanc; and her sisters, Juanita Lemaire and Jeanette Griffin Labiche.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at friouxfunerals.com.
Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.

There is a growing trend of uncertified teachers statewide, as well as in Vermilion Parish.
In the past four years, the number of uncertified teachers in Vermilion Parish has more than doubled. In 2021, there were only 65 uncertified teachers out of approximately 675. By last year, this number increased to 112.
This school year, the number is now 125.
In Vermilion Parish public schools, there are a total of 675 teaching positions available (excluding charter schools), with 125 of those filled by uncertified teachers. Approximately 19 percent of teachers in Vermilion Parish are uncertified, which is about one in every six teachers. For comparison, last year the ratio was one out of seven teachers.
Last year, the state average of uncertified teachers was 9%, and the national average is 4%.
Vermilion Parish Superintendent Tommy Byler said, “I just think there is a shortage of teachers coming out of the university, and unfortunately, there are not enough teachers to go around. With the onset of school choice, you also have more opportunities for teachers. Many are working at charter schools, private schools, and homestudy programs. The demand for teachers is at an all-time high, but the supply is limited.”
Only eight uncertified teachers were teaching in Vermilion Parish in 2013-14.
In 2015-16, the number of uncertified teachers jumped to 34. It remained around 35 until the 2021 school year, when it jumped to 58.  In 2021, there were 61 uncertified teachers in the school system.
It jumped from eight in 2013 to 125 in 2025.
Byler hopes that the record number of 125 will eventually decrease. He mentioned that there are about 35 uncertified teachers with college degrees working in a special program to obtain certification.
Byler said, “We are excited, however, that many of our uncertified teachers, who do hold a college degree, are in a program of study and have been with us for multiple years as they work towards their certification. This consistency has helped the district continue to succeed despite more uncertified teachers than normal.”
The school district did not provide a breakdown of which school has the most uncertified teachers.
School board member Jason Roy, a former teacher,  said increasing salaries would help attract young people to education.
“I believe we are losing teachers to surrounding districts due to better pay,  said Roy.  “Also, there is a decline in young people graduating from universities as certified teachers. I also believe that we have lost some aspiring teachers due to the amount of stress we tend to put on our new teachers regarding curriculum and curriculum development, or lack thereof. We expect a lot here in Vermilion.”
Roy said he predicts there will be an increase in uncertified teachers due to the increased demands on certified teachers.
“Teachers have to be strong-skinned and be able to deal with the scrutiny of every person with a social media account who has a difference of opinion on how they deal with their class, etc. We are in difficult times here in the public education sector,” Roy said. 

Will the number of uncertified teachers continue to rise?

Byler added,  “I think it will level off as we have more programs out there that are certifying teachers from a non-traditional education route. We also have programs like Educators Rising that are introducing students to the field of teaching, and we have had some success with students majoring in Education because of an interest gained in Ed Rising.”

Would a higher salary attract more certified teachers? The starting pay for a certified teacher in Vermilion Parish is $44,300, compared to $50,000 in Lafayette Parish.

“To me, the bigger issue is not necessarily the starting teacher pay but the minimal increase in pay over each year of service,”  Byler said.  “Unfortunately, the funds are limited, and so we have to operate within our means. In what professional jobs would someone invest 10 years only to see a salary increase of $4,000? However, higher salaries always assist in the recruiting process.”

March 24, 1958 ~ August 13, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Rickey M. Perry, 67, of Abbeville, LA, passed away on August 13, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Born on March 24, 1958, in Abbeville, LA, Rickey lived a full life, dedicated to his family and his work as an oilfield industry SCR Electrician before retiring. In retirement, his greatest joy came from spending time with his family—especially his beloved grandchildren & great-grandchildren, who were the light of his life. He had an eye for a bargain and a love for the thrill of the hunt as he often visited bin stores and liquidation centers in search of the best deals and treasures. Online auctions became a favorite pastime with one of his most memorable adventures being winning the bid for an entire estate in Covington—a story that he loved to tell and that perfectly captured his adventurous spirit. He lived his life with curiosity, humor, and a generous heart, always ready to lend a helping hand or share a smile. His presence brought comfort, his laughter filled rooms, and his love for his family was the foundation of everything he did.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Rickey's life with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on August 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., Reverend Daniel Picard will celebrate the mass. Visitation will be held at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, 209 S. Saint Charles St., Abbeville beginning on Saturday August 16, 2025 at 9 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. when the procession departs to church. A Rosary will be recited at Vincent Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m.. Entombment will follow in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mausoleum in Leroy, LA.
Honored to serve as pallbearers: Mitchell Perry, Jody Lasseigne, Kirby Andras, Matthew Tomino, Paul Tomino, and Robert McMullen.
Honorary pallbearers: Parker Leger, Kenslee Lasseigne, Harper Ledet, Chance Richard and Blain Werner.
Rickey is survived by his loving spouse, Selina T. Perry; his daughter, Mistie Lasseigne (Jody); and his son, Mitchell Perry (Jennifer). He was a proud grandfather to Erin, Jada, Kenslee, Parker, Blain, Snowden, and Gage; and great-grandfather to Harper and Luna. His brother, Tony Perry (Kathleen) and many nieces and nephews who will also cherish the many memories they shared.
Rickey was preceded in death by his parents, Eves Perry and the former Mary Belle Guidry; two brothers, Sulie and Noah Perry; one sister, Mary Catherine Fox; his father-in-law, Leroy Trahan; and his mother-in-law, Gwendolyn T. Ewing.