The Gentleman From West Virginia

Cleveland Bailey

By Ray Hill Cleveland Monroe Bailey looked more like movie director Tim Burton’s idea of a mortician than a congressman. Bald, jug-eared and slightly stooped, Bailey served a total of fourteen years in the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia. Like most any other successful Democrat holding public office in West Virginia, Cleve Bailey “preached the gospel pretty much according to John L. Lewis.” Lewis was the head of the powerful United Mine Workers and a significant political force in the Mountain State.

As we all know, looks can be deceiving, and while Cleveland Bailey looked mild and meek, he had a temper when riled. Bailey engaged in an altercation with Adam Clayton Powell, the congressman from Harlem, as the House Educat

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