Josiah Bailey


Josiah William Bailey was an American politician who served as a U.S. senator from the state of North Carolina from 1931 to 1946.

Early life and education

Born in Warrenton, North Carolina, he grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Wake Forest College.

Career

Before turning to a career in law, Bailey was editor of the Biblical Recorder, a newspaper for North Carolina Baptists.
Elected to the United States Senate in 1930, defeating longtime incumbent Furnifold McLendel Simmons, Bailey earned a reputation as a conservative while in office. In 1937, he coauthored the bipartisan Conservative Manifesto, a document criticizing President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and proposing more conservative alternatives. Among other things, the Manifesto called for lower taxes and less spending.
During his time in office, he served as chairman of the Committee on Claims and Committee on Commerce.

Death

Bailey died in office in 1946.