Thomas L. Bailey

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Thomas L. Bailey

Thomas Lowry Bailey (born January 6, 1888 in Webster County , Mississippi , † November 2, 1946 in Jackson , Mississippi) was an American politician and governor of the state of Mississippi from 1944 to 1946 .

Early years and political advancement

Thomas Bailey attended Millsaps College , where he studied law, among other things. In 1913 he opened a law firm in Meridian . Politically, he became a member of the Democratic Party , which was unrivaled in Mississippi in these decades. From 1916 to 1940, Bailey was an MP in the Mississippi House of Representatives ; between 1924 and 1936 he was also speaker of the house. In this chamber he was one of the four most influential MPs who practically controlled the politics of the house.

Mississippi Governor

On November 2, 1943, Thomas Bailey was elected the new governor of his state. He took up this post on January 18, 1944 and held it until his death on November 2, 1946. During his tenure, a medical school was established at the University of Mississippi and a pardon committee was established. At the beginning of his tenure, World War II was still in full swing. Over 237,000 Mississippi State soldiers were deployed in this war. After the war, the returning soldiers had to be reintegrated into society and the relatives of the dead looked after. At the same time, production had to be cut back to meet civilian needs.

In his last address to the legislature, he predicted dramatic changes in Mississippi and the southern United States over the next 25 years. He called on politicians to plan accordingly in order to be able to meet these challenges. During his tenure, the governor fell so seriously ill that he died on November 2, 1946. His lieutenant governor Fielding L. Wright then took over the governorship. Thomas Bailey was married to Nellah Massey, with whom he had two children. His widow later became the first woman in Mississippi to receive state government office in the post of tax officer.

literature

  • Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Bailey, Thomas L.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Bailey, Thomas Lowry (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH January 6, 1888
PLACE OF BIRTH Webster County , Mississippi
DATE OF DEATH November 2, 1946
Place of death Jackson , Mississippi