Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-02-03
HON. JAMES E. BAILEY ELECTED
UNITED STATSS SENATOR.

On the seventy-third ballot Hon.
James Z. Bailey was yesterday elected
United States Senator for the short
term. From the list of candidates
presented, a better selection could not
have been made by the LEGISLATURE
a lawyer of decided ability, a logical,
clear, forcible and vigorous debater
and speaker, Mr.. Bailey cannot fail to
take high place in the Senate and
become a leader in the ranks of the
Democratic party, of the policies Of
which he has been a fearless and out
spoken defender, and always consis-
tently conservative one. Senator Bal
ley is native Of Montgomery county,
and citizen of GAINESVILLE, at which
place he began the study of law when
twenty years of age. Upon entering
the practice of his profession, he at
once became noted for his indefatiga-
bic industry, systematic study, integri-
ty and perseverance. He began the
practice of law when Judge M'Callum
was Chancellor of the district which
included Montgomery county, and
soon won the respect and esteem of
the entire bar and community, besides
elicitIng the warmest concentrations
from Chancellor M'Callum. He de-
voted his especial efforts to the study
aud practice Of chancery law, and in
this branch of the profession attained
TO eminence, building up a lucrative
practice. In 1850 or 1851 Mr.. Bailey
was elected to the Legislature from
Montgomery county, and as a repre-
sentative made faithful and excel
lorA -,,,,,A- l. ro-r-11 Al I
islature with Mr.. John Harrington, of
this city, and Gen. j. d. G. Atkins, of
Henry county, the latter being now
the member of Congress from the
eighth district, a position to which he
has several times been elected by the
people In 1861 Governor Harris APP
pointed Mr.. Bailey to a position on
the military and financial board of the
State, the duties ofwhich he discharged
with satisfaction. In the fall of 1861
he was made Colonel of the Forty
ninth Tennessee regiment, Confederate
States army, and served with gallantry
In the battles preliminary to and dur
ing the siege of Fort DOnelsOn. His
regiment was engaged in the hottest
battles at that point, the Lieutenant
colonel, Alfred Robb, being MORALLY
wounded. Colonel Bailey surrendered,
with his regiment at Fort DOnelson,
and, with Gen. William A. Quarles,
was placed on a steamer and forwarded
10 st. Louis, whence he was sent to
Johnson's Island, where he remained
until exchanged. Aztec his exchange,
his regiment being consolidated with
another In the reorganization of the
Confederate army, Colonel Bailey was
appointed a member of a military
board, and if we mistake not was made
Judge advOcate thereof, in which posi-
ton he continued until the surrender.
Upon returning home, from which he
had been absent during the war, Col.
Bailey devoted himself to the practice
of law, and has ever since had as much
business as he could attend to. Dur
ing the past two years Col. Bailey and
Col. John +. House, of GAINESVILLE
the present member of Congress from
the sixth district, have been partners
in the practice of law. Two years age
Col. Bailey was appointed aud gave
great satisfaction as a member of the
commission created by the Legislature
10 hear and determine causes on APP
peal to the supreme court of Middle
Tennessee, where the parties litigant
agreed to an adjudication by this board
He was also, during the illness Of
Judge Nicholson, selected to fill his
place on the supreme bench of the
State, and continued to do so until the
death of this venerable. jurist, whereby
the number of members of the court
as prescribed by the constitution, wa:
limited to fve.-HeDlphjS Appel, Jan
~.