Dewey Short

Dewey Short was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Missouri's 7th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, he held office for a total of 12 terms from 1929 to 1957, during which he became known for his opposition to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies. Short's lengthy political career included significant involvement in various congressional committees and a notable role in the Republican National Convention.

Early life and career

Dewey Jackson Short was born on April 7, 1898, in Galena, Missouri, to Jackson Grant Short and Permelia C. Long. He completed his secondary education at Galena High School in 1914 and pursued higher education at Marionville College. Short graduated from Baker University in 1919 and later attended Boston University. His academic journey included studies at several prestigious institutions, such as Harvard Law School, Heidelberg University, the University of Berlin, Drew University, and Oxford University, culminating in an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Drury University.

Short's early career was marked by his involvement in the Methodist Church, where he received his license to preach at the age of 19. He began his preaching career shortly thereafter. After his time at Harvard Law School, he transitioned into academia, serving as a lecturer and later a professor of ethics, psychology, and political philosophy at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, during the years 1923 to 1924 and again from 1926 to 1928. In 1927, he also held the position of pastor at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in Springfield, Missouri.

In his personal life, Short married Helen Gladys Hughes from Washington, D.C., on April 20, 1937. The couple did not have any children.

House tenure

Short's political career began when he was elected as a Republican to the Seventy-first Congress, serving from March 4, 1929, to March 3, 1931. However, after the Wall Street crash, he was unable to secure reelection in 1930 for the Seventy-second Congress. Following this setback, Short returned to his previous professional pursuits but remained active in politics, serving as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1932. He also sought the nomination for the United States Senate in 1932 but was unsuccessful.

In 1934, Short was elected to the Seventy-fourth Congress and subsequently won election to ten additional Congresses, serving continuously from January 3, 1935, until January 3, 1957. His tenure in the House was characterized by his strong opposition to the New Deal policies implemented by President Roosevelt, which he believed expanded the federal government's role in American life.

Short's political influence extended to the 1940 Republican National Convention, where he received 108 delegate votes for the party's vice presidential nomination, finishing as the runner-up to Charles L. McNary, who garnered a significantly larger number of votes. Throughout his time in Congress, Short held various leadership positions, including serving as chairman of the Committee on Armed Services during the Eighty-third Congress.

Despite his long-standing political career, Short faced challenges in his later years. He did not sign the 1956 Southern Manifesto, which was a document expressing opposition to the desegregation of public schools following the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. In 1956, Short was defeated in his bid for reelection to the Eighty-fifth Congress by Charles H. Brown, with the election results indicating a close race.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Dewey Short was involved in various legislative matters, particularly those concerning national defense and military affairs, reflecting his role as chairman of the Committee on Armed Services. His leadership in this committee allowed him to influence significant decisions regarding military policy and appropriations during a critical period in American history, including World War II and the early years of the Cold War.

Short's legislative focus was also shaped by the political climate of the time, particularly his opposition to the New Deal. He was a vocal critic of the expansion of federal government programs and regulations, advocating for a more limited government approach. His positions often aligned with the broader Republican Party platform, which sought to reduce government intervention in the economy and promote individual liberties.

In addition to his congressional duties, Short's career included a significant appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Army, a role he held from March 15, 1957, to January 20, 1961. This position allowed him to further influence military policy and operations at a national level, particularly during the post-war period.

After his congressional career, Short continued to be active in public service as President Emeritus of the National Rivers and Harbors Congress, where he contributed to discussions on infrastructure and waterway management.

Dewey Short passed away on November 19, 1979, in Washington, D.C. His remains were returned to Missouri, where he was interred in Galena Cemetery. His legacy includes a long and varied career in public service, characterized by his commitment to his constituents and his involvement in significant national issues during a transformative era in American history.