He was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1914 to serve the remainder of the term of Augustus O. Bacon who had died earlier that year.

Only one month after leaving his senatorial position, West died on December 22, 1914, in Valdosta, Georgia.

Ashley presented bills proposing the establishment of a college in Valdosta to the Georgia Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.

[3] West's former house in Valdosta, known as the Crescent, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

[4] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress