Joseph R. Bryson Papers

Joseph Raleigh Bryson [1893-1953] represented the Fourth District of South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1939 until his death in 1953. A conservative Democrat, Bryson is perhaps best remembered for his unwavering opposition to alcohol. In 1941, Bryson wrote, “Personally, I have always been sober and never have taken a drop of intoxicating beverages. I have never voted for or otherwise approved of the sale of liquor either legally or otherwise. I promise you, here and now, that I shall fight liquor as long as I live, both publicly and privately.”

In addition to his strong stand on prohibition, Bryson was “a champion of states rights, of the farmer, of the common man, [and was labeled] „Mr. Textiles‟ for his work in the interest of the textile workers in the South.” [Tallahassee Democrat, December 1951] In a 1946 campaign speech, Bryson said, “I favor labor...I know far more about the viewpoint of the actual worker than many parlor pinks who always are shedding crocodile tears over labor. I think labor should have a living wage and more. I think workers should have security.”

Bryson was known throughout his tenure in the U.S. Congress for his strong moral stand on issues in which he believed. Sam Rayburn said of Bryson, he “typified morals. He typified the Christian gentleman. He practiced what he preached. He was a good Christian and a great American.” He was also a wonderful storyteller with a terrific sense of humor.

Bryson was born on January 18, 1893, near Brevard, North Carolina. Before he was ten years old, he moved with his family to Greenville, South Carolina, where he worked in a textile mill and attended public schools. He graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1917. Bryson served in the U.S. Army during World War I and held a commission in the Infantry Officers Reserve Corps from 1919 until 1934. Following the war, Bryson entered the University of South Carolina School of Law, graduated in 1920 and immediately began practicing law in Greenville.

Bryson represented Greenville County in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1921 until 1924. In 1928, he was elected to the State Senate, where he served on the Judiciary and Commerce and Manufactures Committees. Bryson took an active role in supporting the interests of textile workers and in sponsoring measures calling for biennial sessions of the Legislature, improved educational facilities, and highways. In 1938 Bryson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served until his death in 1953. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1941.

Among the House committees on which Bryson served were Education, World War Veterans, and Territories and War Claims, but he is noted primarily for his work on the Judiciary Committee. He served as Chairman of the subcommittee on Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights, as well as of committees on Claims and Naturalization and Immigration. One of the first issues Bryson addressed following his election to the House was the sale of alcohol to United States servicemen. In a 1941 speech, Bryson said, “My purpose...is to oppose to the utmost the liquor traffic which serves to destroy national strength and unity.” Throughout World War II, Bryson viewed alcohol as one of the biggest threats to national defense and security.

In 1948, with members of the House Armed Services Committee, he represented the House Judiciary Committee on a tour of Europe. He returned to Europe in 1949 to examine the plight of Eastern European refugees. As in the General Assembly, Bryson continued to focus on matters affecting textile workers and cotton farmers, along with prohibition.

In his private life, Bryson was an avid collector of rare books, especially those which dealt with religion and philosophy. His personal library contained more than 300 Bibles, and he sold and traded books throughout the United States.

Joseph Bryson died unexpectedly on March 10, 1953, suffering a stroke while attending a dinner given by the Cotton Textile Manufacturers' Association. He was remembered by his colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee for his “scholarly devotion to his work, his Christian charity, his kindly and unfailing sense of humor, and his humanity, [which] made him dear to all who came in contact with him.” He was succeeded by Robert Ashmore of Greenville.