Malcolm Colby Tarver (January 6, 1860 – January 9, 1937) was an American attorney and politician who served as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 7th congressional district from 1917 to 1935.
Early life and education
Tarver was born in Lafayette, Georgia. He attended the local schools and graduated from the University of Georgia’s law department (now the School of Law) in 1880. He was admitted to the bar the same year and began practicing law in LaFayette.
Legal and business career
After gaining admission to the bar, Tarver practiced law in LaFayette and later in Tallapoosa, Georgia. He also engaged in agricultural pursuits, operating a farm and participating in local business ventures, including serving on the board of directors of several regional enterprises.
Political career
State politics
Tarver entered public service as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, serving from 1889 to 1891. He later held the position of solicitor general for the Cherokee Judicial Circuit (1903–1913) and was appointed as a judge of the same circuit, serving from 1913 until his resignation to run for Congress in 1916.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1916, Tarver was elected to the 65th United States Congress, representing Georgia's 7th district. He was subsequently reelected to the 66th through the 73rd Congresses, serving a total of nine consecutive terms (March 4, 1917 – January 3, 1935). During his tenure, Tarver was a member of several committees, including the Committee on Elections, the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Agriculture, and the Committee on the Judiciary. He supported legislation typical of Southern Democrats of the era, including measures related to agricultural interests, states’ rights, and limited federal intervention in the economy.
Tarver chose not to seek renomination in 1934, concluding his congressional service at the end of the 73rd Congress.
Later life and death
After leaving Congress, Tarver returned to private law practice in LaFayette. He remained active in local civic affairs until his death on January 9, 1937, in his hometown. He was interred in West View Cemetery in LaFayette, Georgia.
Legacy
Tarver’s long tenure in Congress contributed to the representation of rural Georgia interests during a period that encompassed World War I, the Roaring Twenties, and the early years of the Great Depression. While not associated with major national legislation, his career exemplifies the role of early‑20th‑century Southern Democrats in the U.S. legislative process.