Letter from W. Benlenningham to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; March 17, 1871

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Letter from W. Benlenningham to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; March 17, 1871

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People

Alcorn, J. L. (James Lusk), 1816-1894 Benlenningham, W.Gurley, Unknown Harvey, Unknown Hewson, H. F.Jones, Abram Mason, J. R.

Events

Appointment to office Political elections

Organizations and Businesses

Mississippi. Executive Department Political Parties--Democratic Party (U.S.)Political Parties--Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Occupations

City Council Members Mayors Secretaries

Places

Canton (Miss.)Jackson (Miss.)Madison County (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

African Americans

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[Seal]

Canton Mch. 17^th 1871

Gov. Jas. L. Alcorn
Jackson Miss.

My Dear Sir

There is quite a commotion here concerning our board of Alderman. One Gurley has for a long time desired to be mayor and some others think they will be made City weigh-ers & c. if this new move succeeds.

As to the political news it does not matter much as there is now on the Board of Selectmen but one Republican—but one man that voted for you & me at the last election and that is Abram Jones a Colored man. But the mem-bers of the present board are clever men. Mayor Harvey is a nice little man and says nothing on politics—As between Harvey and Gurley who asks you to appoint him Mayor, Harvey is the best man—He is a gentleman—so for

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as I know. I think Gurley is a very severe—"a bitter ender"—democrat as are the majority of those who now make such a howl (about something, they will tell you what). I think that Mayor Harvey et. al. should have an oportu-nity to explain before being con-demned in your mind.

I may not be well informed but I think that this whole matter is gotten up by Gurley and others who want the offices. I do not know Gurley personally as he will not speak to a northern man and a replublican except on business—at least I have been here for four years and he speaks to me only on business and passes me on the street without saying anything.

I am most positively opposed to him being appointed Mayor or anything else. J. R. Mason whose name will be sent you for appointment to City Council as a very nice man and a gentleman—He stands high with everybody—he is a democrat.

If you want my opinion about anything else please write me—I have voluntarily told you what I consider the facts of this case. I do not know whether you desired an expansion of opinion on this matter from me or not but please par-don my addressing you of my own motion and also pardon the plain-ness of my language.

In great [hope?]—
Your friend & obt. svt.

W Benlenningham

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PRECIS.
[gap]

No! [gap]

Executive Office,
State of Mississippi,
County of Madison

From W. Benlenningham
Address Canton
Dated March, 17 "71
Received —
Answered —

In relation to the differencies in the Board of Alderman & c & c

JAMES L. ALCORN,
Governor.

H. F. HEWSON,
Private Secretary.