 Conley's previous political service included the office of mayor of Augusta, Georgia, from 1857 to 1859.Conley served as the 47th Governor of Georgia from October 30, 1871 to January 12, 1872, during Reconstruction and was the second Republican governor of Georgia.Conley was serving as the president of the Georgia Senate when his predecessor, Rufus B. Bullock, was forced to resign.