Bibb Graves

David Bibb Graves

David Bibb Graves (born April 1, 1873 in Hope Hull , Montgomery County , Alabama , † March 14, 1942 in Sarasota , Florida ) was an American politician and the first governor of Alabama to serve two four-year terms. Graves was a member of the Democratic Party .

Early years and political advancement

Bibb Graves was a descendant of Alabama's former Governor William Wyatt Bibb . He attended public schools in Texas and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1893 with a degree in civil engineering . He then studied for a year Jura at the University of Texas and graduated in 1896 at Yale University , where he wrote his law degree ( Law Degree made). In 1897 he was admitted to the bar and opened his own law firm in Montgomery .

Graves had an extensive military career, from 1907 to 1911 he was Adjutant General of Alabama and then served in the Alabama National Guard . He was also active in World War I and served in France as Colonel of the 117th Field Artillery, 31st Division. His political career began in 1898 when he was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives , where he served until 1901. He also chaired the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee .

Governor of Alabama

His first attempt to run for governor of Alabama failed in 1922. He did not make it until the second attempt in 1926 and was elected governor on November 2, 1926. During his first term, a gasoline tax was passed, state port facilities were completed, the convict lease system was lifted, and a $ 25 million street loan was issued. New schools were also funded, the cost of textbooks decreased, the Veteran's Bureau was created to support Alabama's soldiers, and the Highway Department was planned.

Under the new Alabama Constitution, he was prohibited from running for any subsequent term, so Graves left office on January 19, 1931 and returned to his practice as a lawyer. Only after the term of office of his successor Benjamin M. Miller could he run for another term as governor in 1934. On November 6, 1934, he was elected for his second term and sworn in on January 14, 1935. During his second term, the Alabama State Employment Service, Board of Adjustment, Department of Labor, and Rural Electrification Authority were established. The World War Memorial Building and the Highway Department Building were also built. A two percent sales tax was also passed and a civil service system was established.

Graves left office on January 17, 1939 and intended to run for a third term in 1942, but he died on March 14, 1942 in Sarasota. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery.

literature

• Robert Sobel, John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport 1978. (4 volumes)

Web links

• Bibb Graves in the National Governors Association (English)
• The Political Graveyard (English)
• Bibb Graves in the database of Find a Grave (English)