Estimates suggest Long collected between $50,000 to $75,000 each election cycle from government workers.
Long’s “deduct box” system allowed him to amass considerable funds — like a slush fund — which he used to consolidate his political power, promote his populist policies, and essentially transform Louisiana’s political landscape.
Despite the ethical and legal questions raised by this practice, it contributed significantly to Long’s influence and his ability to enact his ambitious programs.
The deduct box was kept at his Roosevelt Hotel headquarters in New Orleans.
After being shot in 1935, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports Long was asked on his deathbed by Roosevelt Hotel owner Seymour Weiss, “Huey, where is the deduct box?”
Before falling into a coma, Long responded, “I’ll tell you later, Seymour.”
The deduct box was never found.
Use of “Deduct Box” in a sentence
Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long: “He accepted only cash which he stored in his Deduct Box (which resembled a giant ballot box).”
PBS (October 15, 1986): “Long kept the proceeds in a chest he called 'the deduct box.”
When in Your State: “The powerful senator made state workers kick back 5-10% of their pay to his campaign fund, stashing up to $75,000 per election in his famous ‘deduct box.”