Jared Young Sanders

J.Y. Sanders began his professional life as the editor of the St. Mary Banner, a weekly paper in Franklin. While running the newspaper, Sanders was elected to the state House of Representatives where he served for 10 years. After graduating from Tulane Law School in 1893, he started a private law practice in Franklin, a firm that was later joined by his cousin and former governor, Murphy J. Foster.

Sanders was initiated and passed to the degree of Fellowcraft in September 1895, in Franklin Lodge No. 57. In October of that year, he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Sanders was also a member of the Cyrus Chapter No. 12 in Franklin. In 1900, Sanders was elected to serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives with a unanimous vote from his colleagues, the first unanimous vote for Speaker in Louisiana history.

Sanders began his term as governor in 1908. His administration was characterized by reform. He attacked issues such as the environment, child labor, improved roads, prohibition, and gambling. When his term ended, he ran unsuccessfully several times for the United States Senate, but in 1917 was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served until 1921. Thereafter, Sanders resumed his law practice, although he remained active politically, especially in his opposition to Huey P. Long. Sanders died in Baton Rouge in 1944.