Bailey, Josiah William, 1873-1946

Public official and political leader.

From the description of Josiah William Bailey papers, 1833-1967; (bulk 1930-1946). (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19106021

• 1873: Josiah William Bailey born, September 14; Warrenton, N.C.
• 1877: Bailey's father, Christopher Thomas Bailey, appointed editor of the Biblical Recorder; family moves to Raleigh, N.C.
• 1880 - 1889 : Bailey attends Raleigh Township Graded Schools and Raleigh Male Academy.
• 1893: Received B.A. degree from Wake Forest College.
• 1893 - 1907 : Edited Biblical Recorder. As editor, Bailey emphasized the need for improved public school conditions in N.C. and advocated state aid to public schools.
• 1896 - 1900 : Member, state Board of Agriculture.
• 1900 election: Supported disfranchisement of Negroes, Furnifold Simmons for Senate, and Charles B. Aycock for governor.
• 1903 - 1907 : Chairman, N.C. Anti-Saloon League. Fought to establish local option. Opposed national prohibition. Resigned when League resolved to support state prohibition.
• 1907 - 1908 : Studied law under Samuel French Mordecai, Trinity College. Admitted to the bar, began practice with Wesley N. Jones.
• 1908: Elector at Large.
• 1909 - 1911 : Member, Board of Education, Wake County.
• 1911 - 1913 : Chairman, Stste Child Labor Committee.
• 1912 election: Supported Woodrow Wilson for President and Locke Craig for governor. F.M. Simmons re-elected U.S. Senator.
• 1913 - 1910 : Appointed by President Wilson to be Collector or Internal Revenue for N.C. Eastern District.
• 1913: Governor Craig appointed Bailey to N.C. Constitutional Commission. Commission recommended voting reform, court changes, tax reform, required school term.
• 1914: Assumed leadership of liberal faction of State Democratic Party. Suggestions of this faction defeated by subsequent state convention.
• 1916: Married Edith Walker Pou.
• 1917: Addressed N.C. General Assembly in behalf of women's suffrage.
• 1919 - 1921 : Internal Revenue Collector for N.C.
• 1919 - 1920 : Represented interests of the Farmers' Union before the N.C. General Assembly, opposing increased property taxes.
• 1921: Returned to legal practice full time with James Hinton Pou.
• 1924: Candidate for governor. Defeated in primary by Angus Wilton McLean whom Simmons supported
• 1928: Supported Alfred E. Smith for the presidency, O. Max Gardner for governor.
• 1930: Candidate for U.S. Senate; defeated Simmons in primary and won election with record-breaking majority.
• 1932: Advocated currency control. Suggested reducing administrative expenses, but supported public works appropriations
• 1932 election: Actively supported Roosevelt in N.C.
• 1933: Opposed Agricultural Adjustment Act.
• 1936: Re-elected to Senate.
• 1937: Strongly opposed court packing bill. Supported Neutrality Act. Emerged as key Figure in Senate conservative alliance.
• 1938: Opposed Fair Labor Standards Act. Became chairman of Commerce Committee.
• 1940: Supported Selective Service Bill.
• 1941: Supported Lend-Lease. Reversing earlier position, advocated intervention.
• 1942: Re-elected to Senate.
• 1945: Supported ratification of the United Nations Charter.
• 1946: Died Dec. 15 in Raleigh, N.C.

From the guide to the Josiah William Bailey Papers, 1833-1967, (Duke University. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)