William Wallace Barron
Encyclopedia
William Wallace "Wally" Barron (December 8, 1911 – November 12, 2002) was a Democratic machine politician in West Virginia
. He was the state's 26th Governor from 1961 to 1965. He later served a prison term due to his corrupt actions.
He was born in Elkins, West Virginia
. He attended Washington and Lee University
and the West Virginia University
Law School. During World War II
, he served in the United States Army
. In 1949, he was selected by the "machine" to be elected mayor of Elkins. He was then slated for the House of Delegates
in 1950 and re-elected in 1952 . He resigned his seat when appointed as Liquor Control Commissioner, a position very valuable to the machine due to the opportunities to receive bribes and kickbacks, by Governor William C. Marland
subsequent to the 1952 election. He was then slated as the machine's Attorney General
candidate in the 1956 election, traditionally the last step before the governorship.
In 1960 he was elected governor and set about attempting to undo the clean government and civil rights reforms that had been instituted by his predecessor, Cecil H. Underwood
, the only Republican
to hold the governor's office between 1932 and 1968. He was, for the most part, unsuccessful in this, and the death of the "machine" followed.
Barron's governorship was largely corrupt and numerous officials were convicted of charges including bribery, falsification of records, conspiracy and tax evasion. In 1971 Barron was convicted of jury tampering
in an earlier trial and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
He died on November 12, 2002 in Charlotte, North Carolina
.
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. He was the state's 26th Governor from 1961 to 1965. He later served a prison term due to his corrupt actions.
He was born in Elkins, West Virginia
Elkins, West Virginia
Elkins is a city in Randolph County, West Virginia, United States. The community was incorporated in 1890 and named in honor of Stephen Benton Elkins , a U.S. Senator from West Virginia. The population was 7,032 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Randolph County...
. He attended Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, United States.The classical school from which Washington and Lee descended was established in 1749 as Augusta Academy, about north of its present location. In 1776 it was renamed Liberty Hall in a burst of...
and the West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
Law School. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. In 1949, he was selected by the "machine" to be elected mayor of Elkins. He was then slated for the House of Delegates
House of Delegates
The House of Delegates is the name given to the lower house of the legislature in three U.S. states – Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.House of Delegates may also refer to:...
in 1950 and re-elected in 1952 . He resigned his seat when appointed as Liquor Control Commissioner, a position very valuable to the machine due to the opportunities to receive bribes and kickbacks, by Governor William C. Marland
William C. Marland
William Casey Marland , a Democrat, was the 24th Governor of West Virginia from 1953 to 1957. He is best known for his early attempts to tax companies that depleted the state's natural resources, especially coal, as well as overseeing the generally non-violent implementation of school...
subsequent to the 1952 election. He was then slated as the machine's Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
candidate in the 1956 election, traditionally the last step before the governorship.
In 1960 he was elected governor and set about attempting to undo the clean government and civil rights reforms that had been instituted by his predecessor, Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil Harland Underwood was an American Republican Party politician from West Virginia, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise...
, the only Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to hold the governor's office between 1932 and 1968. He was, for the most part, unsuccessful in this, and the death of the "machine" followed.
Barron's governorship was largely corrupt and numerous officials were convicted of charges including bribery, falsification of records, conspiracy and tax evasion. In 1971 Barron was convicted of jury tampering
Jury tampering
Jury tampering is the crime of unduly attempting to influence the composition and/or decisions of a jury during the course of a trial.The means by which this crime could be perpetrated can include attempting to discredit potential jurors to ensure they will not be selected for duty. Once selected,...
in an earlier trial and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
He died on November 12, 2002 in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
.