Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-01-09

born Aug. rs, 1899. or his paternal ancestry
We know but little His mother was Mary
| Bryan, native Of Robertson county. lie re-
ceived an early academic education, which
was completed NJ Nashville university under
the presidency OF the famous Philip Lindsey
A. the age of y lie was admitted 10 the bar NJ
Clark~Yille, aud soon became b partner Of the
lato George g. Boyd n prominent lawyer Of
his day. With u devotion that was almost
absolute, he dedicated himself to his profess
sion and, by n course of strict propriety and
Industry, sustained by natural ability that
was soon recognized, steadily advanced TO the
front rank az the bar. He was always man
or decided but honest political convctions-a
constitutional Wing ap 10 the breaking out
Of the war-but he never displayed ambition
for political Office. In 1883 he was inducfd to
represent his county In the State legislature,
but from that time to 1874 his name. with his
consent, was never pressed in connection
with political station. His legal qunliilca-
lions were long n2o recognized, and more
than once by executive appointment, he was
placed on the supreme bench ofthe State. or
me first "arbitration court" in Tennessee we
believe he was made n member.
At the breaking out OF the ciyil war; Judge
Bailey, although mp TO the last moment hop
Ing for peaceful solution of impending
troubles, cnSt his personal destlnies with the
fortunes of the South Recognizing his prud-
ence and ability, GOV. Harris appointed him,
IN connection with ex-Gov. Neill s. Brown
and Gen, Harding, a member OF the military
board of Tennessee 10 superlntend the organ
ilatlOn of the provisional army of Tennessee
and its subsequent transfer TO to tlieservice Of
the Con federacV A ttpr this he became colonel
of the Forty-ninth Tennessee mfantry, and
shared with his regiment the mortifica ion OF
the enforced surrender Of Fort Donaldson.
His health being seriously impaired by six
months Imprisonment he was made, after his
exchango, Judge OF the military court Of Gen.
Hardee'S corps position that he ably filed
till the close of the war.
The surrender found him, like most COnfed-
crates, with but llttle else than his profession
ms capital for the future. TO this he re-deVoted
himself with energy, conScientiousnes and
ability. His practice Of law was only inter-
fered with temporarily, by the appointment
tojudical service before alluded To. until Jan
nary, 1877 when he became candidate before
the legislature for the United States Senate to
I'LL ont the uneNpired term Of Senator Andrew
johnson, then held by appointment by Judge
ID. M. Key. Aftcr,a prOtracted and exciting
contest Judge Bailey was elected and without
delay took his seat the senate being then in
session. He had bat little over four wears to
serve, his tern expiring March 4, 1851. His
service in the senate was most honorable
Few men, If any, eyer advanced through the
quiet methods of dignitied statesman to q
higher national position than did Senator
Railey His speeches We're few, but they al
ways commanded the attention Of the senate
and the respect Of the country. HisSenatOrial
utterances We're Invariably characterized by
the acumcn anC prfOundity of tho Studi0uS,
trained and comprehensive lawyer, ard before
he retired from The body he had come to he
regarded by his associates Of both parties rs u
jurist and salesman rather that q superficial
politician.
Local questions of state politics. in regard
to which he always maintained a decided pO-
sition- preiorring 10 stand upon his honest
convictions, rather than to bend to what he
regarded miSdire 'tod change ofpuhlic Opin-
ion--had brought about such n stats of affairs
in the party thl' had previously elected him
that he wag defeated for the succession He
retired to private life and has stree mountain
ed dianifed retirement, constrained IN
great degree, no doubt, bv the failure of his