William G. Conley

William Gustavus Conley ( born January 8, 1866 in Kingwood, West Virginia, † October 21, 1940 in Charleston, West Virginia ) was an American politician and from 1929 to 1933 the 18th Governor of the state of West Virginia.

Early years and political rise

After primary school was William Conley 1886-1891 themselves teachers and school board in Preston County. He then studied at West Virginia University law. After his graduation and admission to the bar in 1893, he opened in Parsons in Tucker County, a law firm. In 1897 he was in Tucker County prosecutor and in 1901 he was elected mayor of Parsons. During this time he founded the newspaper " Parsons Advocate ", which he himself edited. Upon returning to Kingwood, he was from 1906 to 1908 there is also mayor. Governor William MO Dawson appointed him in 1908 to the Minister of Justice ( Attorney General ) of West Virginia. a position he also held under Dawson's successor William E. Glasscock. between 1924 and 1929 he was a member of the Board of Education of his state. Moreover, he was back working as a lawyer and held senior positions at a coal mine in West Virginia held. in 1928 he was selected as the candidate of the Republican Party as the new governor of West Virginia.

Governor of West Virginia

Conley's four-year term began on March 4, 1929. Almost his entire tenure was overshadowed by the consequences of the New York stock market crash of October 1929. Even in West Virginia resulted from the global economic crisis, major problems such as a rise in unemployment and financial problems in the banking sector. Again, as in the other states, the crisis has been overcome until later in the 1930s with the help of the New Deal policies of the federal government under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In Conley's tenure, several new departments were established within his government, including an office was to fight unemployment and commissions for the control of libraries, bridges, water use, and sports. To cover the household expenses of the governor had to raise taxes, which worsened the economic crisis on the other side. In addition caused a severe drought for a further problems.

After the expiration of his term of office Conley worked as a lawyer again. He was also a member of various legal associations. William Conley died in October 1940. He was married to Bertie Martin, with whom he had five children.